Knee-high socks have a way of cycling in and out of fashion conversations, often dismissed as nostalgic or impractical. Yet when grounded by the right footwear, they consistently re-emerge as a quiet but effective styling tool—especially in off-duty settings like airport travel, where comfort and intention must coexist.
This style archive looks back at two contrasting airport outfits worn by Elle Fanning and Taylor Swift, not as trend “moments,” but as reference points for how the same hosiery choice can communicate entirely different moods depending on the shoes. In both cases, the socks stay constant; it’s the footwear that does the real work.
Elle Fanning Keeps Knee-High Socks Casual With Flat Lace-Up Boots
At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on December 17, 2014, Elle Fanning stepped out in a relaxed travel look that balanced youthful ease with subtle shoe interest, grounding her outfit with low-heeled boots that kept the focus practical yet polished.
Elle Fanning smiles mid-stride in an airport terminal, wearing her shoulder-length hair loose with a natural texture, sunglasses perched on her head, and a black V-neck top with white stripe detailing
She was wearing an Amour shirt dress and rugged boots. While most stylish celebs wear this trend with super sexy heeled boots, Elle prefers it with a more relaxed and edgy vibe.
Supermodel Gigi Hadid offered a sportier take on the knee-high sock trend while traveling through Narita Airport, pairing ribbed grey knee-high socks with sleek black boots as part of a head-to-toe Prada look. The styling felt effortless rather than styled-for-effect, underscoring how socks can act as a practical layering piece while still sharpening an airport outfit when grounded by polished footwear.
Singer Rita Ora leaned into contrast, styling long white socks—finished with playful baby-pink bows—with classic black kitten heels for an off-duty moment in New York City. The combination blurred the line between casual and dressed-up, proving that socks don’t dilute elegance when the shoe silhouette stays refined.
Elle Fanning arrives at LAX in Los Angeles on December 17, 2014, wearing a black-and-white “Amour” shirt dress styled casually with knee-high socks and lace-up ankle boots (Credit: WENN)
The moment invited natural comparison to an earlier LAX sighting that same fall, when Taylor Swift styled knee-high socks in a more fashion-forward direction, finishing her airport look with Christian Louboutin lace-up booties.
Taylor Swift Sharpens the Knee-High Sock Look With Louboutin Lace-Up Booties
Taylor Swift is seen in close-up with a sleek shoulder-length bob and blunt bangs, wearing subtle eyeliner, rosy lipstick, and a crisp white collared shirt
The American singer sported a “Flitter Flutter” shirt by Miss Patina, paired with tan pleated shorts by Everlane, and carried a bordeaux-colored crossbody bag by Aldo.
Walking through an airport terminal, she carries a structured burgundy handbag and pairs a white button-down with high-waisted brown shorts and knee-high socks
She finished the look with knee-high socks and black nappa Christian Louboutin “Mamanouk 120” lace-up booties. This vintage-era stiletto style blends military-inspired toughness with the brand’s signature high-glam edge.
The socks-and-shoes formula also has deep pop-culture roots. In Clueless, Alicia Silverstone’s Cher Horowitz made knee-high socks with platform Mary Janes a defining ’90s fashion image—one that continues to inform how designers and celebrities approach socks as a deliberate styling choice rather than an afterthought.
From behind, the outfit comes into full view as knee-high socks lead into black lace-up stiletto booties, adding a sharp, high-heeled finish to the tailored travel look at LAX on October 21, 2014 (Credit: WENN)
That broader conversation is echoed in YNS’s exploration of the socks-with-sandals trend, where fashion figures embrace socks with strappy heels as a styling statement rather than a faux pas. Notably, Rihanna paired thigh-high socks with ankle-strap heels at a Miu Miu show.
A more youthful interpretation came from McKenna Grace, who revived ’90s styling at a Ghostbusters screening by pairing ruffled white socks with black suede Mary Jane platform pumps. The result felt playful yet polished, reinforcing how socks—whether knee-high or ankle-grazing—gain their fashion credibility through the shoes they’re paired with.
More Shoe Moments Worth Exploring
While this look highlights how footwear can quietly define even the most casual travel outfit, both Elle Fanning and Taylor Swift have built style narratives where shoes consistently do the heavy lifting—whether on the red carpet, on tour, or off duty.
👠 Curated Shoe & Fashion Features — Elle Fanning & Taylor Swift:
- ✨ Elle Fanning’s Prada Premiere Look Is Pure Glam Goals — vintage-inspired ensembles and red carpet heels anchoring her bold style.
- 🍂 Chic Cream Looks: Elle Fanning Promotes Predator: Badlands — refined fall fashion styled with Tod’s pumps and Valentino mules.
- 🎬 Elle Fanning Surprises in Simone Rocha and Manolo Blahnik at BFI London Premiere — elegant shoe pairings that define her modern red-carpet presence.
- 👢 Taylor Swift Pairs Christian Louboutin Knee-High Boots With Cozy Neutrals — preppy winter styling centered on luxe knee-high boots.
- 💫 Taylor Swift’s Sky-High Style: Analyzing Her Height-Boosting Heels — a stylistic evolution through iconic designer heels and standout shoe moments.
- 🎉 Inside Taylor Swift’s Daring Victoria’s Secret Fashion Moment — sleek Jimmy Choo “Vibe” heels marking a bold fashion transition.