Why Are People Wearing Their Socks Inside-Out?

Inside-out fashion has been around for awhile. A decade ago, Ryan Gosling had everyone showing off their T-shirt tags and seams in what GQ called “...one of the simplest and coolest style moves you can make.” Then, Sofia Richie Grainge started a trend with her inside-out pants, and after that came “sergercore” — fashion that exposed the thick inside seams made on a machine called a serger.

Now, inside-out socks appear to be a thing. But it turns out this “trend” is more function than fashion; some people, especially those with sensory issues, find the seams irritating and uncomfortable. 

“Two of my kids have sensory issues and had to turn their socks inside-out when they were young or they couldn’t wear them,” Eunice C. of San Jose, California, says. A mom who goes by the name @sharina_etheridge on TikTok has the same issue with her special needs child. “This is me, just casually stretching out the socks of my child and turning them inside-out, because otherwise they’re just not comfortable,” she said while demonstrating her sock routine.

There is science to back it up: In a 2022 study, the National Institutes of Health researched the effects of garments of children on the autism spectrum and found that their participation in activities improved when wearing clothing designed for those with sensory issues, such as specially designed socks with no seams. 

Additionally, some podiatrists recommend that their diabetic patients turn their socks inside-out. Poor circulation caused by diabetes often leads to foot problems, and the seams inside socks can be uncomfortable. But there’s also a fashion component to the trend, specifically with Nike socks. In 2019, Travis Scott introduced his Nike Air Jordans that featured an inverted “swoosh” logo, and since then it’s become a signature look for sports enthusiasts.