Hysterics as Millennial Begs for Help Getting Dressed: ‘Do I Look Cool?’

A millennial has sought out fashion advice after trying to style socks in the Gen Z way.

Emma Jasper (@thedilemmasofemma), a 35-year-old author from Northern Virginia, has sparked a lively conversation online after seeking advice on styling her socks to match Gen Z trends, pulled up over the ankle. Her lighthearted plea, posted on Instagram, has racked up 3.8 million views and over 78,000 likes.

Emma noticed that younger gym-goers favored longer socks rather than the no-show trainer socks she grew up wearing. Feeling unsure about adopting the trend, she turned to social media for help.

“Everything in me felt wrong wearing mine like that. I had to put out a millennial internet flare to see if anyone could help!” she told Newsweek.

In the reel, Emma shared her struggle, wearing a gym outfit featuring a baggy white tee, cycling shorts, trainers and, of course, the now-debated crew socks.

“I’m just a millennial standing in front of the internet asking for validation that this is how we wear our socks now, please help,” she wrote in the text overlay of the video.

“Do I look cool?,” she asked on camera.

The “Great Sock Debate” has ignited discussions across generations, particularly between millennials and Gen Z, regarding preferred sock styles for 2024.

According to Gym Shark, Gen Z adults in the U.S. have shown a strong preference for ankle socks, with 41% choosing them as their go-to option.

In contrast, millennials often opt for no-show socks, a style they grew up with. This generational divide has sparked conversations on social media platforms

Reflecting on her upbringing, Emma elaborated: “I meant what I said in my video: growing up, socks were meant to be NOT seen and NOT heard! No-show socks were everything. I even rolled down my ankle socks so they wouldn’t be seen above my shoes! All those years of suffering my socks sliding down my heel… and now we get to just show them?!” she said.

Emma also drew comparisons to her dad and grandpa’s styles.

“Somehow wearing socks above the ankle looks cool on Gen Z and younger, but not on me: I keep aiming for Princess Diana and wind up looking like my grandpa on a walk!”

The video struck a chord with fellow millennials, many of whom jumped in to share their thoughts.

“I refuse to participate. You can pry my no-show socks from my cold dead hands,” one user, Ashley, declared.

“I live with teens, I work with teens. Don’t listen to what they say because they are unhinged. Do whatever is comfortable because you can’t win!,” added Mel.

Another commenter joked: “I need Gen Z to pose with their (I guess grandfather’s) so they understand why we are so shook about this. They even wear them with orthopedic-looking New Balances sneakers!”

Others reflected on the sacrifices millennials made for fashion, poking fun at the generational shift. “Us having to wear high heels on nights out… and now they wear trainers. Us having cold ankles… and now they walk round with these socks on. They don’t know what we’ve been through,” quipped Sacha.

Natalie summed up the collective sentiment: “THE SOCK ANXIETY IS REAL (as if this generation needed MORE reasons to be anxious, come ON).”