 |
| Saint Laurent |
The cyclical nature of fashion is so transparent. The
evolving way in which socks have been paired with clothing is one such example
of this. Just a few years ago, I would never have believed that the value of
socks would skyrocket to another level in the fashion realm; yet, somehow, they
have. Note: All Chanel and Saint Laurent 2014 Pre-Spring Ready to Wear collection photos are courtesy of Style.com
 |
| Chanel |
 | ||
| Saint Laurent |
 |
| Chanel |
I never considered socks a fashion must-have until fairly
recently. They were just what I wore to keep my feet warm. I still hate to wear
them because they make my feet hot and, at times, itchy. I am usually amongst
the first to go without them as soon as spring arrives and amongst the last
individuals to begin wearing them as mid-autumn arrives in the northern hemisphere. I think of
them so differently now as a result of how prominently they are featured on the
feet of street-style stars and runway models. Dial it back with me if you would
for just a few moments so that you may understand my prior feelings about
socks.
I paired, just like many other girls during the early stages
of my school years, socks with skirts and shirts that were within school
uniform regulations; however, as I entered public high school it was not hip to
pair them with skirts mainly because this look was associated with nerds and
geeks in public high school. Wearing non-trendy attire during my school days
would have placed me firmly into weirdo category. Avoiding a fashion faux-pas was hard
enough in high school without intentionally going out of my way to look
different.
Around the same time, my friends and I compared notes about
why so many men of the senior citizen persuasion wore socks with sandals or
dress oxfords when they wore shorts in the spring and summer. We shared quite a
bit of laughter upon the sighting of this type of outfit on our own grandpas. The
strange thing is that this foible seemed to be solely attributable to men
around the age of 60 or above. Women in the same age demographic, for some reason, seemed to be immune
to the socks and sandals pairing. It never occurred to me that a couple of
decades later men in the senior years of their life would deserve props for being on the forefront of fashion
for pairing socks with their summer casual attire. Men in the senior citizen demographic sort of had
it right back then. Sort of, only because it is still considered taboo for men to wear socks with sandals. I must say though that there is definite
gender discrimination associated with this today. Why is it acceptable for
women to wear socks with sandals but not men? In general, it is still
considered a fashion faux-pas for men.
 |
| No, no, a resounding no to this look men! |
 |
| This is a fashion don't men. Please don't do this. |
Bobby Soxers, celebrity fans and fashion-mad young women, were at the forefront of this current trend, as well. These young women really set the bar high when they paired their socks with saddle
shoes or loafers and poodle skirts. Does it get anymore preppy glam than that?
Bobby Soxers really knew how to party down as they danced away in their ankle
socks and saddle shoes. Talk about putting some pep in your sock-covered steps.
I also became more aware of the fashion star quality of socks when
I noticed how darling knee-high socks look when paired with tall boots.
Many of you have created some superb looks by featuring socks so prominently with
your tall boots. In fact the pairing is like peanut butter and jelly this
season. They just naturally go together.
Socks, dare I say, have become quite a glamorous
accoutrement to skirts and dresses. I only wonder how long socks will ride the
popularity wave. What do you think? Are we destined to see them perpetually
paired with skirts and dresses throughout 2014 or beyond?
My latest Keaton Row lookbooks are available to browse, if
you wish, at http://www.keatonrow.com/stylist/sharonpate. The price of
the merchandise is the same as if purchased directly from the retailer and shipping
is free.
Related Stories:
Who What Wear, 10 Surprisingly Easy Ways to Wear Socks with Shoes
