Socklessness simply means dressing without socks. However it has significance in different fashions, over the years. With women, it goes without saying, as many types of womenswear excludes the wearing of socks. But when menswear has incorporated going without socks, it has been much more noticeable. During the 1980s many pop bands experimented with socklessness, especially as part of the New Romantic movement, in which wearing suits and shoes without socks was considered sophisticated. It has also been very common for menswear to be advertised with models who are sockless, again showing the sophisticated side.

Don Johnson's trademark was wearing his loafers sockless, in Miami Vice.

Countless sportspeople have performed sockless, especially athletes.

Prior to the start of the millennium, it was commonplace for people of both sexes to wear their shoes without socks, during summer. In 1990s and into the 2000s, some people who find socks comfortable but desire a sockless or almost sockless appearance have opted for the compromise of socks that end below or at the ankle.