Fashion

Rihanna's New Gig Will Knock Your Socks Off

by Renata Certo-Ware

Socks have typically been the least sexy item of clothing in a girl's arsenal — but not if Rihanna has anything to do with it. A sock company with serious swagger, Stance named Rihanna its contributing Creative Director as well as member of the brand's Punks & Poets, a crew of ambassadors that also includes Haim and Allen Iverson. Other celebs to create collections have been Dwayne Wade (he's a surprisingly prolific sock designer), Santigold and Langley Fox Hemingway.

In her new role, Rihanna flexed her designer muscles, creating two sets of limited edition socks, above the knee and classic crew, dubbed "Murder Ri Wrote." Each set, which includes three pairs, will run you between $26 and $30, and both showcase the collaboration's iconic, headline-inspired print where words like "gal", "run", and "$" are prominently featured.

As it turns out, a lot actually goes into the design and construction of these socks. Features like deep heel pockets, self-adjusting cuffs (bye-bye, slippage) and a "specialized band of elastic arch support" to give your feet a lift. So in other words, these are not your grandpa's socks.

The sock slingers broke the news (and, very nearly, the internet) on Instagram this afternoon:

According to Stance, only 1500 sets of the crew socks were produced, and each is individually numbered. But luckily, if you miss your chance at a set this time around, you'll be able to shop Rihanna's complete collection on the site this Fall.

Like most of us, Ri-Ri wears socks. But unlike most of us, hers make news, inspire Pinterest boards, and land her contracts. Socks and sandals? Why not. Socks and no pants? A no brainer. Socks and party pumps? That's kind of her M.O.

In honor of her new gig, let's take a look back at the songstress' chicest sock moments, shall we?

Here she is casually sipping a beer by the river, in knee-high athletic socks:

She paired a custom silk robe with these frilly babies at her friend's wedding:

Turns out, she wasn't just celebrating her friend's nuptials. She hand-selected the Jamaican flag-inspired footwear (worn with super-high slides because #fashion) to fete 4/20.

Speaking of high... there are the thigh-high polka dotted socks she wore on her 26th birthday:

Back in 2013, she donned socks and a onesie for what looks like a casual night in answering emails for the cover story of Complex Magazine's February/March issue. It wouldn't be responsible journalism unless I pointed out that the laptop is noticeably not on. I should also point out that this is Rihanna. In socks and a onesie. Did I already mention that?

Here she is taking a page from Carrie Bradshaw's book, wearing a tutu and t-shirt while shoe-shopping.

Demure, see-through socks gave just a pinch of elegance to her otherwise casual look.

Then there's the time she wore head-to-toe (well, head-to-ankle) camo with leopard-print socks.

Or, better yet, the time she wore sandals in the winter. But don't worry, they were fur-lined sandals, and she wisely opted to wear them with socks, because frostbite is real.

She's even been on socks, like these:

and these:

With or without pants, I can't wait to see how she'll style her new Rihanna x Stance bad-boys. (Or should I say, bad-gals?)

Image: Giphy