Sock-iquette: Your Guide to Guys’ Footwear

    Happy Wednesday! Intern Gabi’s here to grace us with her POV on what guys – both in college and out – should be wearing.

    Take it away Gabi…

    This may seem nit-picky, but socks are totally important. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been horrifically turned off by a guy JUST BECAUSE OF HIS SOCKS.

    Picture 14

    The first instance that I can remember happened in 3rd grade. To get to know our classmates, we all took off one shoe and put it in a pile in the middle of the room. We then had to take a shoe, find the owner, talk to them, learn about them, and then present our findings to the class.

    We gathered back together in a circle, sitting pretzel-style, since that’s how you do things when you haven’t yet reached double digits. I remember looking around and one boy was wearing white tube socks, and they just didn’t fit right. There was probably an inch of extra sock hanging past where I could see his toes were, and it was just SO BEYOND IRKSOME that I literally thought about it every single time I talked to him, which probably made him think that that surprised/crinkled-nose face I made was my natural facial expression.

    And that was in third grade.

    SO, to keep you guys (and maybe your friends who aren’t as style savvy) steered clear from the fate of my poor classmate above, I’ve put together a few basic sock and shoe combos below. Never again can you say you didn’t know you shouldn’t wear white tube socks with boat shoes, again. Ever.

    WHITE TUBE SOCKS + SKATE SHOES

    tubesocks

    Socks: Dickies, $12 for 2 pairs
    Shoes: Vans, $55

    This look is like, totally Cali-cool. Let the look stay true to its roots, and keep the rest of your look SoCal-skater-inspired for consistency. I’ve seen this shoe-sock combo with mint chino short-shorts and a v-neck sweater tied around the shoulders, and I could feel the wearer’s internal disconnect. Pull the socks ALL THE WAY UP and remind me why I had a crush on that quiet, new student from the West Coast who leaned against his locker and was always late to class. Middle school crushes *sigh*

    FUN DRESS SOCKS + LACE UPS

    dressSocks: Merona, $4
    Shoes: Johnston&Murphy, $135

    Sure, you can wear plain black or brown dress socks, but why not add just a hint of visual interest with some fun patterned socks? The argyle in this pair is a classic pattern that works for the office, but the punchy coral and mint tones will definitely catch my eye when you walk by me, or loiter conspicuously at the water cooler.

    UNDER-THE-ANKLE SOCKS + LOW RISE CASUAL SNEAKERS

    noSocks: Dickies, $12 for 3 pairs
    Shoes: Tretorn, $60

    Don’t do the visible ankle sock. Just…don’t. Find one that sits below the line of the of the sneaker, so it gives the illusion that you aren’t wearing any socks at all. Ankles are cool, show them off! The ankle bone is really cool (it rotates!) so why not let it bask in the light of day? If you’re wearing long pants, feel free to wear fun high socks like these.

    NO SHOW SOCKS + BOAT SHOES

    noshow

     Socks: Urban Outfitters, $10 for 2 pairs
    Shoes: Johnston & Murphy, $135

    In an ideal world, you wouldn’t wear any socks with a boat shoe. I understand that sweaty-feet-stank is totally preventable with socks, but these shoes show a lot of foot and just don’t really look good with socks. Thankfully someone invented these brilliant no-show socks, so now you can keep your feet cool and look the same.

    Tell me: What is the worst footwear faux pas you have seen? Ever guilty of your own? Be honest…

    …And now that you know what’s hot and what’s not, share pics of your shoes AND SOCKS on Facebook or by tweeting at @StyleGF with the hashtag #SUYS!

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