I find colorful/funny tennis socks really cute. Even regular white ones with like a stripe or two of different color/small drawing are good enough. Couple them with shorts as the other user mentioned and some casual t-shirt/hoodie and you'll easily achieve cute rather then edgy look.
About a year ago I threw out all my grey / plain socks and but bunch of good quality ones that are all different colors and have various animals on them . Currently rocking one shark sock and one eagle sock and a blink 182 shirt with a cat with lazer eyes . I'm almost 32 lol .
Perhaps pair them with patterned shorts or shorts with silly messages for something between cute and uh...However you might describe folks with booty short messaging?