Hot daaaamn or hot mess?
From our friends at CollegeCandy.com:
It’s pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. We love a strong woman (unless she happens to be charging at us with her fists raised), so we thought we’d give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I’ll be featuring a hot topic (like grad school!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]
Ok, I noticed this one floating around out there early this fall and the time has come for somebody to say something – what’s the deal with wearing socks with our summer heels? At first I thought it was just J Crew trying to make socks sexy or cute or something that will make us want to buy them, but I just finished reading the new issue of Glamour and they had a photo spread where nearly half the pics showed the model with thick strappy sandals or peep-toes + socks.
Admittedly, these were nice, colorful socks – not your gym variety – but still, I’m torn about whether this is OK.
On the one hand, anything that gives me a chance to wear my pretty summer shoe collection more than just a measly 3 months out of the year is a good thing in my book (hey, those things cost money!). And I have to admit, I’ve been a sock fan for a while now but rarely have a chance to wear anything more exciting than the white tennis-shoe variety. So it seems like two rights should make a right, right? (OK, that was confusing.) Plus, on the models, I can’t help but find the look kind of cute in a funky sort of way, so why not give it a try? Warm toes plus cute shoes is a total win!
But when I tried the look on in my bedroom I looked a lot more “5-year-old-who-dressed-herself” than “I-don’t-care-what-you-think-chic” and the BF thought I’d gone insane. So after consulting my mags once again, I realize that while it may look cute on the models, so does the other crazy stuff they have on – stuff that would make me look like I’d just broken out of a mental institution. There’s also the little fact that I live in NYC and socks are probably not going to be nearly enough toe coverage when it comes time for my morning sprint to the subway. And perhaps the greatest deterrent of all to me is that age old fashion rule that socks and sandals are mortal enemies – I know we’re supposed to be breaking the mold, but somehow it just seems blasphemous!
So what do you think?
Should I just go with the flow and rock those socks? Will you? Or will this catalog combo get me make me the laughing stock of NYC?
I have to agree with your take on the socks and sandals look. I have to say that I am pretty adventurous when it comes to fashion but as you mentioned, just because a model can rock it doesn’t mean it’s look can be adapted into everyday where. It’s like when editors take that one hot piece from the runway and transform the look into something more appropriate for normal, if you will, everyday purposes. I will say though, that socks do not need to be completely rejected. While in Europe over the past weeks attending to a sick relative I picked up several pairs of knit knee socks and started wearing them pulled up over tights and leggings as an added layer with knee high boots, to battle the bitter unusal teperature lows they were having. For example, black leggings, a black hooded button up cropped sweater with a long ribbed white tank paired with ivory knit knee high socks and black riding boots…the little peek of color added just enough pop that I did not appear to be attending a funeral…I guess it’s all an experimental process…just thought I’d throw it out there…hopefully with warmer weather approaching, I’ll loose the tights and just opt for the socks with boots!
actually doesn’t look so bad on that model.
But its not a look for me. One of those cases where only certain people can pull this off
I personally love the idea, even though I didn’t put it to test yet. Surely, the fact that here is the middle of winter might be a small inconvenient…
Other than this, I would try the combo, really. Everyone else I’ve asked for opinions are either con or said it’s little girl/grandma style (the contradictions are mindbogglingly opposite).
Maybe a short, cool dress thrown in the mix does turn things around. *hopes*
Agree… not many people can wear the sock+sandal look. Model legs + sense of style + confidence = go for it.
Socks and sandals reminds me of bad 80s ZZ Top videos (lace tops & pumps anyone?) or of grandpa’s tube socks and beach combers. Either just doesn’t work for me either, but I agree… it’s so cute on the ad campaigns.