Sock-free shoes
Have you been on Instagram or looked at a fashion shoot in a men’s mag? You may have noticed a certain something lacking on the guys? A certain staple of menswear for as long as there was such a thing as menswear? You put them on probably second to your underwear every morning….Yes. Socks. Looks like men have stopped putting them on. Maybe they just couldn’t be bothered or all of a sudden us men are seriously concerned about the impact of cotton production on climate change perhaps? It’s more complex and controversial than that. It’s fashion.
Do older guys need to hop aboard this look? Should we? Is it a good look or are we better taking a more considered approach to socks and the comfort they give us on a daily basis? A conservative or classic approach is best at our age?
Can’t answer any of those conundra (word?). However, I do as a forty-something man, find it absolutely acceptable to be sock-less in the supermarket on a Saturday while corralling my kids and gathering their five a day requirements. I also find it quite pleasing to have a gentle breeze lapping against my ankles during my post-shop coffee on a Saturday. I do also derive a great deal of pleasure from slipping into my selection of loafers, espadrilles and driving shoes (aka drivers of course) with no woolly coverings on my feet.
Tods Driving shoes (aka drivers)
Surely that means we have sacrificed comfort and hygiene on the style altar? No. That’s covered too. In the form of “no-show” socks. In my life to date, a “no show” was inevitably a bad thing, but these socks are indeed very handy.
The “no-show” sock
Available everywhere (seeing as the trend has become mainstream) and quite cheap, they do make things a bit less sticky in-loafer.
Try it with sneakers for a start and see how it goes. Sneakers tend to come up a bit higher to the ankle, so it gets you and your ankles used to the idea of forgoing socks. Next step is a slip-on shoe such as a loafer or an espadrille. You’ll need your no-show socks here for sure. If you like it you’ll know pretty quickly. It can be a very cool look!
Driving shoe downtime
I have seen it carried off with aplomb (check out any Pitti Uomo photos from Florence recently online) and I have seen it done in a not so good way. Namely, a guy at a wedding last September in Ireland. It was cold and windy and he was sock-less, while in what looked like a great suit. However, everyone was looking at his bare ankles with incredulity. Then again, if he was happy who cares, right? He was shivering, but some Guinness would sort that tremor later on. Sometimes you just salute ambition in an outfit.
Sock-less sneaker look
Feel free to give it a try. It’s definitely a good look if you’re happy with it and comfortable (mentally and physically). My wife stubbornly insists my ankles are far too white for bare ankles some days. It hasn’t stopped me, because I feel good with bare ankles when the mood takes me. That’s all that matters.
Thanks for reading
