Why should you not wear white socks?

[qwer1234]

Why should you not wear white socks? I don't get it.

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+1 y

Everyone who’s at least familar with fashion says wearing white sock is not to be recommended. Yet I don’t know why. :/

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+1 y

Oh...and why isn't it appropriate to wear sandals with socks?

[thtdiablo]

The rule applies to men only as my wife told me - and you don't really have to take it that seriously anymore nowadays.

it was made up in a time when women would still wear dresses, robes and long skirts, so nobody would see their socks, therefore no problem here. But men would wear pants and if you sit down or even cross your legs, the different colors of the mostly dark pants (suits) and the white (or other brightly colored) socks would become visible.

In the same epoque men would also be outside a lot while women would stay at home. Therefore white socks would neither be suitable for a man as they would easily get dirty.

Furthermore men's shoes were rather flat while a woman would often even wear boots. The man's socks were visible, while a woman's - given she wore socks and not stockings - were not.

For girls it is by the way no problem at all to wear white socks. Women started wearing socks not before the time of such rules was anyway over. That many think it applies to both genders is a misunderstanding.

And the sandal thing:

Socks still are seen as something dirty, by some even as disgusting, as they catch all the foot sweat. Therefore you just don't show your socks to others, what would happen, if you wear them in sandals - it's that easy :) Less easy is now the question why it is not inappropriate to show the foot itself, don't know that :/ But I know that I don't like sandals at all :D

[qwer1234]

So the contrast between socks and pants are the reason? Then why is it recommended that the tie and shirt should be of different colors? I've been told wearing a tie and a shirt of the same color is "a fashion sin" too. (Only recently the trend of wearing tie and shirt of the same color has become "popular".)

[thtdiablo]

The big difference lies therein that a tie and a shirt are both a piece of fashion while the socks are a mere tool: they protect the shoes from sweat and cover the legs where the pants end. The tie is supposed to draw attention while the socks should be hidden.

Actually same colors for shirt and tie (or similar things) was not a fashion sin before early 20th century. Before (~17th - 20th c.) the tie was widely seen as cover for shirt's buttons and therefore was supposed to be the same color :)

[MikeK]

Strange question...

I too have been told this on numerous occasions as well... not only shouldn't you wear white socks, but also shouldn't wear socks higher than your ankles...

Also, no wearing socks with sandals, etc...

People are really stupid when they say stuff like that, but, I guess you gotta keep up with the fashion trends :P

[qwer1234]

why are they saying that?

[MikeK]

I really don't know!

[Sib999]

- If you have dark pants and they don't cover your ankles entirely the white will be very visible and that generally looks bad/informal. Depending on the occasion it might not be important, but why bother when you could simply use dark socks and be done with it.

- Sandals are supposed to go with bare feet. Yes it's possible to wear socks with them but that doesn't mean it looks good. It comes across as dirty and untasteful. It's okay to do it if you're at home or at a very informal occasion though.

- It's a pain on the arse to remove stains!

[idntlikeu]

WHAT!? That's weird dude!

I'm wearing white socks right this moment! ! they are super cute! you can hardly see them though.. I don't like long socks. ;]!

and socks with sandals? WOOT! o.0

if you're going to wear socks with them, then why wear sandals at all? The purpose of a sandal is to leave the little toes free! :]! don't trick them making them think they'll be free and then trapping them with a sock! That's deceiving! and it looks horrible :D!

[angrychick]

An even better question is...why do you have to wear socks that match? I mean its so annoying sorting them. And sometimes its just a lot easier to snatch two odd socks out and wear em. Gets me going on my day a lot faster and nobody ever complains! If anything, you provide a little giggle, but who the f*** CARES

[moaterboat]

Generally your socks should be a very similar color to your pants so that there isn't a noticeable "break" if you happen to cross your legs or do something else that causes your pants leg to ride up a little bit. This doesn't really apply if you are wearing jeans or shorts, where white socks are not only fine, but probably the best choice.

[Prof_Don]

White socks aren't considered "dressy" enough for semi formal to formal wear...were you reading an article aimed at metrosexual men? Metrosexual men almost ALWAYS dress in dark socks, even casually.

P.S. not saying that men that wear black socks all the time are metrosexual! :-P

[MrAtticusLebowski]

I never wear white socks with shorts, only black ones. It's a personal preference, I think it looks odd other wise. as for the sandal issue, it looks bad when you wear sandals and your white socks are dirty and smudged lol.

[RedSmartie]

Usually that's for dressing nicely, like with slacks and dress shoes and such. In those cases the pants and shoes are usually dark and white socks would be noticeable, which isn't good.

But for casual dress, it doesn't matter.

[1995girl]

Maybe because it's obvious? Like when you see it with clothes, the white socks just stands out? I don't know, but I personally like wearing black socks because when they get dirty, it's not visible.

[DandelionGirl]

Who said you shouldn't wear white socks? My drawer is FULL of them :-)

[lilstrwberygal]

Sandals with soaks just look stupid, the same way as stripes and plaid look dumb, there is really no other reason.

[maiez]

I wear socks of all colors, mainly black / white. Sandals are meant to show toes, which socks rule against.

[Anonymous]

I used to wear white socks exclusively. Now I don't, mainly because I think they're bland. Don't know what others' thoughts are. TMI fun fact: I know use those socks strictly for jerkin-off purposes.

[deannarose]

I didn't know that someone shouldn't wear white socks?

[Anonymous]

I almost exclusively wear white socks. If it's a style faux-pas, I really don't care.

[kheserthorpe]

You shouldn't wear white socks with dress pants or chinos. It's like wearing white running shoes with a suit.

[qwer1234]

Why? What's exactly wrong with that?

[kheserthorpe]

Look you can wear anything you want and walk down the street. But as soon as you are dressing formally, there are conventions. White socks fail to meet those conventions.

As a second point, mixing white athletic socks will probably not convey an image of 'look at this guy subverting convention by wearing a mishmash of athletic and formal wear!' Probably people will think 'that moron doesn't even know to wear dark socks.' But you are of course free to project that image if you want.

[bruceleejkd]

there is no reason you can't white socks, I wear white socks all the time.

[ihatework]

i only wear black socks, wear what you like.

[Anonymous]

I have a ton of white socks..

[Anonymous]

I didn't know that you shouldn't?

[Anonymous]

Says who?

[idntlikeu]

Yeah! Who?!

[Anonymous]

They get dirty.