Today’s most burning issue, continued
Earlier this week I ventured off into the Fashion Danger Zone by making some semi-inane (which, I guess, is therefore semi-ane) comment about socks with sandals, a combination about which I expressed grave doubts. And I wasn’t alone in so observing: serious socks, the sort that simultaneously keep your feet warm and ward off blisters, aren’t exactly staples of the hautest couture, or so seems to be the consensus of the readership.
That said, I popped open the March InStyle, and this was right there in “yourLook”:
“Loved the socks-with-sandals look on the spring runways. How can I pull it off?”
They did not, alas, say “Pull off the damn socks.” What they did say:
Try legwear in a neutral tone similar to your shoes. Stick to thin (sheer or opaque) fabrics with dainty patterns, like teeny dots, or skinny ribbing.
The next step: to find someone who actually tried it. And this is what I found:
On the one hand, anything that gives me a chance to wear my pretty summer shoe collection more than just a measly 3 months out of the year is a good thing in my book (hey, those things cost money!). And I have to admit, I’ve been a sock fan for a while now but rarely have a chance to wear anything more exciting than the white tennis-shoe variety. So it seems like two rights should make a right, right? (OK, that was confusing.) Plus, on the models, I can’t help but find the look kind of cute in a funky sort of way, so why not give it a try? Warm toes plus cute shoes is a total win!
But when I tried the look on in my bedroom I looked a lot more “five-year-old-who-dressed-herself” than “I-don’t-care-what-you-think-chic” and the BF thought I’d gone insane. So after consulting my mags once again, I realize that while it may look cute on the models, so does the other crazy stuff they have on — stuff that would make me look like I’d just broken out of a mental institution. There’s also the little fact that I live in NYC and socks are probably not going to be nearly enough toe coverage when it comes time for my morning sprint to the subway. And perhaps the greatest deterrent of all to me is that age old fashion rule that socks and sandals are mortal enemies — I know we’re supposed to be breaking the mold, but somehow it just seems blasphemous!
Yeah, I know: the beatings will continue while the equine remains deceased. Now you know the secret to blog longevity.
fillyjonk »
11 March 2010 · 6:52 am
I always thought that sheer stockings with “dots” would make me wind up looking like I had a skin condition.
Besides, here, in the summer, it’s too hot to wear any kind of stockings. (Well, other than boot socks, but that’s for doing fieldwork, and that’s mainly to prevent the fire ants and ticks from getting me.)
LeeAnn »
11 March 2010 · 8:28 am
I find stockings do not go well with my preferred shoe choice (Chuck Taylor hi-tops). Nevertheless, I will give it a try, since my sandals are all of the flipflop type and don’t lend themselves to socks/stockings/not being chewed by the cat.