Image via Complex Original
Hello, skeptic, and welcome to the evangelical arm of the socks and sandals community. You’ve seen our disciples for years: German tourists, high school chemistry teachers, hippies, and maybe your extremely stylish dad. These superstars parade around in sensible woolen foot covers, neatly strapped into an all-terrain, breathable footwear option. And yet, you blanched. You wrote the whole notion off. You never entertained the endless possibilities of wearing socks with sandals. If you’re sick of your sneakers, but skeeved out by the idea of exposing your toes to the dangers of the streets, #SocksAndSandals might be for you. Little did you know, there are more than a few expert ways to wear the look proudly. Here are 5 Outfits That Make the Case for #SocksAndSandals.
The Contrast Play
Strapped sandals come in every nylon colorway known to man. Try something spacey, like the silver ones pictured here, or something a little wavier if you want to dig in with the Zen vibes. Teva has you sorted on that front. Regardless of your strap choice, you can complement your sandals with a bold sock. The contrast creates a strong look from the feet up. Fashion pioneers, like Opening Ceremony, have really stepped up in support of this look. The results are nothing short of galvanizing. Case in point: Check out the above. In this particular iteration, it all depends on your end game. Want your socks to match your hat? Looking to accentuate a strong two-toned look? Need a loud statement to make an otherwise simple outfit catch flames? This is your zone. There are many ways to carry out the concept. Think of it like switching out different wristbands for your watch.
The Normcore Play
The idea here is to keep it super tight below the ankles. Crisp white socks and a brown sandal will do the trick perfectly. If keeping up with the latest fire trend isn’t really your thing any more, maybe you’re finally growing up. Relax into the joys of keeping it plain with your socks and mellow out with a pair of nice rolled pair of corduroys. Hell, throw on a short sleeve button down. If you just play it straight, the right sandal will read more like a penny loafer, which, I promise, were once considered casual wear for Norwegian fisherman. If enough people commit to this look, we might start to see office dress policy shift out of the sandal taboo shade that’s kept us in the dark all these years.
The Intentionally Sloppy Play
This is for the brave. Take note—everything I’m about to say states the exact opposite of all of the advice above. Nothing says power like a pair of worn-out athletic socks and half-on-the-foot sandals. The lack of effort is an act of aggression. Like a face tattoo, it lets people know that you don’t want approval. Best paired with a pair of sweatpants, we encourage you to stroll about in the hot sun, you glorious derelict. This is where you press down on the gas pedal and embrace every fear you’ve ever had about wearing socks with sandals. Walk to the store like that, and look everyone in the eyes. Take control of your slovenly self and thrust it upon the world like a champion. Your socks don’t even have to match, man, that’s part of the magic.
The High Sock Play
To those who think the socks and sandals combination is one of the least sexy options in all the land: you're dead wrong. Keep the sandal simple, and hike the sock all the way up the calf. You simultaneously exude athleticism, the laid-back skater vibe, and subvert gender stereotypes (go knee-high if you’re really about that life). Try baseball socks for a handsome post-game lounge look. Cop a pair of proper shorts that fall just above the knee—Patagonia is ideal here. The Carven pairing above is another great option. If that’s a bit much, flowing basketball or crisp khaki shorts, a double striped sock, and a crisp pair of slides will do. This is a positive step forward, onward, and upward.
The Luxury Play
When in doubt, sometimes the most comfortable way to pull off a look is the most expensive. A pair of $300 cashmere socks say, “You already know.” Ultimately, this look is about comfort. Textured socks with interesting, minimal sandals are the motion. A nice heavy sock can go with just about anything, but anything with texture that costs more than anything else in your closet will do. Try a fisherman’s sweater to top it off.