How to wear long socks. How to wear colored socks? Which socks to choose

Socks in women's wardrobe came a long time ago, to be more precise, at about the same time as the sandals. Coco Chanel did her job by liberating the daughters of Eve, enslaved by the descendants of Adam. Although she did not invent socks, she gave women an intoxicating sense of freedom. In the 30s of the 20th century, even quite respectable ladies already allowed themselves to appear in public without stockings in the summer. It was then that fashion, borrowed from sports, appeared to wear shoes with socks. Shoes with an open toe and heel were called sandals, and white socks, adding piquancy and charm to the outfit, protected delicate skin from abrasions. Women got rid of stockings, which were quite hot in the summer, and acquired a new item for their wardrobe, as usual, borrowing it from men.

The peak of fashion for summer socks somehow quickly passed. After all, this accessory is very specific. Agree that socks worn with light shoes give the image some kind of romantic childish insecurity or, on the contrary, childish audacity and shockingness. This is a very insidious toilet detail. You need to know how to wear them so as not to look vulgar or funny.

Women became less feminine, more hardened and resilient, the worn skin of their feet no longer frightened them so much, and they decided to wear summer shoes on their bare feet. And this went on for a very long time. Socks were worn only under trousers. Only children and grandmothers, who still (or already) can do anything, could afford the luxury of wearing socks with anything.

Socks on the rise

And suddenly, hurray! Socks are at the peak of popularity again! Of course, if you are between 30 and 70, then you may not decide on summer socks. But age is no barrier for celebrities and street fashionistas; they happily embraced this trend. If you decide to follow their example, here are some simple tips.

To avoid looking stupid

Socks should not destroy the image - this is not the main, but significant detail; pay close attention to the selection of socks by color, texture, length, so that they harmoniously combine with clothes and shoes.

Socks can be any length, but long gathered or rolled models are especially popular.

To prevent your legs from appearing short, follow the rule: the shorter the skirt, the longer the socks can be.

Socks look good with open sandals, sandals, light perforated shoes (brogues or oxfords).

Models made from thick yarn in combination with shoes made from thin straps can look as if the shoes are too small for you and are about to break from the tension.

Mesh socks stretch very unattractively on the toes, which is unacceptable with open-toed shoes; the same applies to thin transparent nylon options.

The appearance of new types of shoes in your wardrobe requires a reconsideration of your views on style, sometimes radically.

Men's sandals with socks have long been a source of jokes and anecdotes. But it would be fun if it weren't so sad. With the onset of the summer season, questions about what can be worn on bare feet and what cannot be become relevant.

The sockless trend has taken the fashion world by storm and quickly hit the streets. Today, many types of men's shoes are worn without socks, ranging from open slates to derbies, which are similar in shape to shoes. Wearing the latter on bare feet is welcomed by the rules of style, but causes confusion among conservatives. We offer you a guide to men's shoes, some of which are acceptable to wear without socks, and some of which are strictly required.

How to give up socks

Men are less willing to sacrifice their comfort for the sake of their image than women. In response to criticism about sandals on socks and the like, they give many reasons why they do it and intend to continue. We offer alternative solutions the most common problems associated with not wearing socks.

→ If your shoes rub, you need to buy another one, or cover the problem area with an adhesive plaster, for example, a reliable one Compeed. It will help soften the edges and break in shoes faster.

→ For hygienic purposes, you can use deodorant for shoes or talc for feet.

→ If you're cold, choose closed shoes that you can wear with socks rather than trying to insulate open ones with socks.

→ You think that feet are not the most attractive part male body? Having a hygienic pedicure “socializes” your feet, but if you still don’t want to open them, then choose closed shoes that are comfortable for you.

8 types of shoes to wear without socks

No. 1. Sandals

These shoes are more than five thousand years old, they were worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans. It would never even occur to them to wear open sandals with socks (even if you imagine that they were in their wardrobe). Sandals are designed specifically for hot weather, so bare feet are the only logical and appropriate combination.

The ideal company for sandals is linen summer trousers, chinos and shorts. In this case, long trousers can be casually rolled up to ankle level.

Rule: strictly no socks.

No. 2. Flip flops and flip flops

Exclusively beach shoes, the very structure of which does not allow them to be worn with socks. According to the rules of style beach shoes Do not wear with jeans, trousers, or any other urban clothing. The maximum for flip flops and flip-flops is beach shorts.

Rule: strictly no socks.

No. 3. Moccasins

It's soft leather shoes invented by the Indians, it was light, flexible and allowed silent movement. Today, real moccasins are still made from soft skin or suede, which seems to wrap the foot in a cocoon. Moccasins are worn without socks for two reasons: they are open at the top - one, and they are summer - two. Combinations of moccasins look good with both regular trousers and cropped ones that reveal the ankles, as well as with shorts.

It is allowed to wear moccasins with socks, but only if they are hidden by trousers, or with socks. The taboo extends to the moccasins-socks-shorts trio.

Rule: socks are acceptable if they are hidden by the length of the trousers. Strictly no socks in combination with moccasins + shorts.

No. 4. Topsiders

The name comes from the English “topside” - upper deck. Topsiders are a marine variation on the theme of moccasins, to which lacing around the heel and a grooved sole were added. These shoes were invented specifically for yachtsmen: due to the leather lace around the heel, they stayed on the foot better, and the corrugated sole prevented them from slipping on the wet deck.

Topsiders are worn strictly without socks, or better yet, with rolled-up trousers, adding an elegant casualness to the look.

Rule: strictly no socks.

No. 5. Espadrilles

Fabric shoes with woven jute soles are more popular than ever. Lightweight, non-chafing, breathable shoes are indispensable in hot weather, paired with shorts, breeches, linen trousers, chinos and jeans. This pair definitely does not require the addition of socks; it is worn exclusively on bare feet.

Espadrilles were invented by Spanish peasants, but were later loved by upper-class people for their lightness, comfort and versatility. Espadrilles were in the wardrobe of Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and John F. Kennedy. Agree, a worthy company!

Rule: strictly no socks.

No. 6. Low top sneakers

The trend of wearing shoes without socks has also taken over sports shoes. It is clear that wearing running sneakers or high top sneakers without socks is illogical and unhygienic, but here is the combination summer trousers or shorts with low-top sneakers allows you to skip socks. If you want to stay traditional, choose a pair of cotton socks or low socks specifically for summer wear.

Rule: short socks and ankle boots are acceptable, but you can also wear them without them.

No. 7. Loafers

There are several types of loafers, each distinguished by signature details and its own history. The most common types are penny loafers, tassel loafers, buckle loafers, fringed loafers, Venetian loafers and slippers - and each has its own nuances in the relationship with socks. General rule Only sets of loafers and a formal suit are subject to: in this combination, socks are required. Loafers are worn without socks in combination with informal suits and casual clothes. Cropped trousers paired with a T-shirt and jacket are ideal.

Rule: strictly wear sleepers without socks. It is acceptable, but not required, to wear socks for penny loafers, buckle, tassel, fringe, and Venetian loafers.

No. 8. Derby

Derby shoes are a less formal variation of the Oxford, meaning they have lace-up soles and a classic heel. The difference between derbies and oxfords is in the lacing arrangement: in derbies it is open, in oxfords it is closed. It’s very easy to demonstrate this clearly: unlace your shoes and run your finger from the beginning of the tongue to the toe of the shoe. If the part with holes for lacing is integral with the shoe, then it is a derby. If the side lacing parts are rigidly sewn in with a transverse seam, then these are Oxfords.

Oxfords are not worn without socks, derbies are. Their summer version can be even more informal due to the bright colored sole. For example, dark blue derbies with a yellow sole will look great on bare feet with rolled up or cropped jeans.
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Rule: It is acceptable to wear both without socks and with socks.

In Europe, low boots with flat soles were always worn with socks or short stockings. If you need confirmation of this, remember the costumes of nobles, and then the traditional outfits of boys (until the moment when they reached the age of the right to wear long pants). In both cases, clothing and shoes did not hide the socks. Only in the 20th century did this combination for some reason begin to raise questions.

Today we have again come to the conclusion that socks are not underwear. They don't need to be hidden. On the contrary, if you want to look fashionable, put them out, demonstrate them and create looks with them for walks, dates and studies.

First, about what socks should be like:

Regarding the length, you can rely on the classic scheme:

• if the boots do not have a top at all, then they are worn with ankle-length items or slightly higher (that is, they end much higher than the shoes);
• if the boots reach the top or rise higher, then the socks should only peek out a little (at the distance of a couple of fingers, no more).

The thickness of the product is selected taking into account the structure of the legs. Large girls are often advised to wear thin socks, but nylon socks always have a tight elastic band. This elastic band tightens a full leg, creating a sausage effect: there is a lot at the bottom and hangs over the top, and there is a rope in the middle. Because the lightest and thinnest socks are suitable only for thin people.

Large, pumped calves are another landmark. The hosiery should not end immediately before the widest point. Either a little higher than it, or much lower. Ideally, you should turn to elongated models that end right under the knees (only if there are no problems with this part of the body).

Combine the colors of socks with shoes

Rely on rule 3: the image should consist of wardrobe items made in 3 color solutions . If you don’t like this guideline, you can take note of the following notes:

In terms of style, stick to what Romantic and touching destinations require light-colored hosiery. You can also emphasize the theme of the bow with the help of an ornament on the toes. Let the design on them be associated with a certain fashion trend.

We combine models of boots with socks

It's worth considering the heel. Ankle boots on high heels with colored long socks (calf length, for example) - leave this combination for teenage girls and models on the catwalks. If you are an adult woman, then try to wear “peeking out” socks either with boots with flat soles, or with shoes with low heels, or with models without any top at all. If there is a heel and a small boot, then you should not take overly long socks.

When can I print on socks?

Black long socks with a vertically centered pattern on the outside are always permissible. Especially in combination with shoes of the same shade. As a result, from a distance you will look as if you were wearing ankle boots with decorated painting.

Another win-win option: black nylon with polka dots. Such hosiery is worn even with stiletto heels. They will definitely look wonderful with patent leather oxfords, desert shoes and loafers. Naturally, provided you have a thin ankle. Fragile girls are even allowed to wear not just nylon socks with polka dots, but also ones with frills.

Important! Frill on socks is a way to harmoniously play up the transition from rough shoes to feminine clothes.

Instead of nylon, you can turn to dense products. Monochromatic models with small repeating patterns look interesting. For example, scattered flowers located at a distance from each other. With this item, wear a light dress with frills or a floral print and chunky boots.

Important! Stripes and thematic patterns - for example, winter or ethnic - require some kind of response in outerwear or sweaters.

This season, the fashion for silver has returned, and its brilliant option. However, afford clothes with it adult woman- take risks. In this case, socks will become a lifesaver: the color trend is followed and the final image does not refer to a space theme.

These products should be worn with gray, black and white shoes or boots. Combine with models bright colors not recommended, since silver will already concentrate all attention on the legs.

Important! It is not necessary to purchase plain silver socks. You can buy light ones, but with silver lurex.

Imagine, your fashion-forward wife (sister/girlfriend/mother-in-law/colleague) gave you socks. It seems like what’s wrong with this, a banal gift, nothing remarkable. But the socks turned out to be colored and with a pattern! “Well, why do I need these, where will I put them on,” the man thinks. But in vain! Today we will tell you how to wear colored socks and do it with pleasure and skill.

Step 1: Start small

It is clear that if you have worn exclusively black, grey, white or, at most, beige socks all your life, then taking and going out into the street in bright red socks with blue stripes is somehow too much. What if your friends don’t appreciate your fashionable appearance (what do they even understand, right?)

What to do if you want to add an original accent to your everyday look, but are afraid of looking ridiculous? Start small. For example, buy plain dark green or blue socks. Perhaps they will be only a few shades different from the color of your trousers. You can try wearing black socks with small light polka dots. Or with a barely noticeable checkered print. Socks in non-flashy shades and with simple drawings They fit into almost any look, they don’t look pretentious, but still more interesting than the usual black or gray socks.

Step 2: Combine socks with other items of clothing or accessories

So, let's move to a new level. Try to match your socks to your outfit in such a way that the color (or pattern) matches something else. For example, burgundy socks and a burgundy jacket or cardigan. Yellow and blue socks and a yellow and blue tie. Turquoise socks and a sweatshirt with turquoise inserts. You can combine bright socks with any item in your look, but please don’t be too bigoted. There is no need to create complete total looks and dress in red from head to toe. It is important to correctly place accents and nothing more.

Step 3: Add colorful socks to simple outfits

It's very simple: let your outfit consist of clothes in neutral colors (black, gray, white or beige). Socks will act as fashion accessory which will brighten up this boring outfit. Yes, it's bold, but you will really be different from everyone else.

Step 4. Start experimenting with prints

Once you've mastered the basics of wearing colored socks, it's time to start experimenting with all kinds of prints. Eh, here you can afford anything. Colorful socks with diamonds, paisley, stripes, zippers, circles - the brighter and more elaborate, the cooler. Don't be shy, stand out!

You need to wear such socks in the same way as we advised in points 2 and 3: either combine them with other things, or make them an accent of your everyday look.

Step 5. Aerobatics - wear colored socks with a suit

Congratulations, you have reached god level. You are no longer afraid not only to put on colored socks, but also to try them on business suit and go to work like this.

We are guided by already familiar rules: we select socks to match a tie, vest, pocket square, boutonniere (only at our own wedding) or we break all the norms of the office dress code and wear bright socks as a separate item stylish accessory. And let your work colleagues envy in silence!

What shoes to wear with colored socks?

Actually, it is appropriate to ask a general question here: “with what men's shoes Can and should you wear socks?” Any kind, not just colored ones.

So, you can wear colored socks...

with brogues

with oxfords

with loafers

with monks

with sneakers

with chukka boots

And also with Derby boots, Chelsea boots, sneakers and any other closed shoes.

IMPORTANT! Remember that when you wear colored socks, all the attention is focused on your feet. This means the shoes must be perfectly clean and well-groomed!

Illustrations: herringshoes.co.uk, amazonaws.com, sockfancy.com, lookastic.com, gqportugal.pt, shemazing.net, thecolorstalker.com, yepman.ru, truemans.ru, trendymen.ru

The topic of socks in the men's wardrobe seems to be inexhaustible, judging by the incoming questions, comments on the blog and my observations of ordinary passers-by. Life would be much simpler if there were a set of laws requiring the colors of trousers, socks and shoes to be combined in certain, strictly limited combinations. But style is not jurisprudence (fortunately), colors have shades, which complicates the task a hundredfold, so we have to be content with only basic principles, and in practice, choosing socks turns out to be more of an art than a rule.
We provided general recommendations in, today we will focus on only one color - white. Summer, after all.

One of the biggest mistakes is considered to be wearing white socks with casual (non-sports) or even more so formal wear. It is difficult to find a publication about style that does not at least briefly mention this. Even non-core blogs point out to us that this is one of the worst faux pas a man can commit. Ilya Varlamov writes:

“Remember a simple rule: white socks can only be worn with sneakers to the gym.”

Let's figure out whether this is such an unshakable law, or whether everything is not so simple.

The topic seemed even more relevant after the question came:

“Please tell me if it’s possible to wear white socks to match white shirt and a white handkerchief in his jacket pocket. Despite the fact that the suit will be black with a gray tint, black patent leather boots and a black bow tie.
I became very interested.
I've read a lot of articles about white socks. Many people argue that you should never wear white socks. That they are only suitable for sports.
I think white socks can go beyond sports.
I want to hear your opinion on this matter.”

First of all, it is necessary to understand that the color white has many shades, and talking about an abstract white color is not entirely correct. If we are talking about socks purely white without any impurities, and even from thick fabric, then yes, everyone here probably agrees that such socks are not suitable anywhere except for sports.

The reason why we see so many men around town wearing white socks with blue jeans and dark loafers is because socks of that color seem neutral to them. But maybe I'm wrong, and the real motives lie elsewhere. In any case, such a combination is not the norm, and only fans of Michael Jackson or simply lovers of light shocking can dare to use it. Well, it doesn't look good:

But imagine a situation where you put on white trousers. And if also white shoes? This is the right moment to break the pattern. And by the way, you shouldn’t blindly trust those who say that “it’s better not to wear white shoes at all” (Varlamov in the same article) - white shoes can sometimes look great:

So, white socks are not synonymous with sports socks, although many people think so. Thin white cotton socks are present in the lines of fairly reputable manufacturers. Pantherella, a well-known brand, in addition to black, blue and gray colors, also includes white in the range of some classic models. Both pure and its off-white shades:

This is no coincidence: the need for such socks may present itself.
If you wear white shoes and dark trousers, it is better to choose socks that match the trousers:

If your set consists of white trousers and dark shoes, then again it is better to choose dark socks, but in the color of the shoes:

This combination seems controversial to me:

In what cases can you wear white men's socks without fear of being criticized?
There are few such situations, or rather two: this is a combination of white shoes, or white trousers and two-color shoes, which can be described as light, for example, like this:

Let's take a look at the illustrations in authoritative publications of the 30s, the golden decade of men's fashion:

As you can see, light socks look very organic here. At the same time, I do not exclude the use of a pattern, as perhaps an even more interesting alternative, for example, stripes or rhombuses (argyle) (picture on the right). However, white socks between the same colored pant leg and boot is a legitimate way to provide a visual transition from shoes to pants.

Glenn O'Brien writes about this:

“...from time to time I become the object of criticism from women who claim that a man should never, under any circumstances, wear white socks. It seems to me that this is just an overreaction to the style popular among Latinos in the fifties, when white socks were exposed between pointy black shoes and pant legs blue jeans. But today, when men often wear white shoes and white trousers, white socks are decent choice. It is in such cases that thin, tight-fitting socks of the highest quality are very appropriate.”

Of course, in our time, especially in the heat, you don’t have to wear socks at all or wear them invisible, but if you categorically do not accept this trend, then it would be quite appropriate to wear white socks in such a set:

So, rules are rules, but sometimes you have to think. And if someone says: “never wore white socks,” it’s worth clarifying why: maybe the person simply didn’t have the opportunity.

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