White Socks

[clevispin]

Where do you stand with a guy wearing white socks? Robert E. Lee (a quintisential gentleman by most standards) was last photographed in his uniform wearing white socks. Perhaps the color (or lack of) references one's under-clothes which might be off-putting.

m

 

[Andykev]

Not formal

I think of Archie Bunker. Unless you are playing sports, in athletic garb, or are in your Hawwian shorts and floral shirt.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Aaaarghhh ...

... white socks!!!

From the youthful male British standpoint, white socks (at least when i were youthful (useful?)) was a no-no ... except for sports.

I've found that youthful Americans (in this college town, at least) wear nothing else. Dark socks are seen as an 'old man' type thang. Guess i'm just an old man.

With suits they (whyte sox) look silly (Scilly?). Unless the suit is white (Wight?).

bk

 

[MudInYerEye]

I detest the white sox. Go Yankees!

 

[Cabinetman]

too many variables

White socks with white or white-ish (colored trim) tennis shoes, regardless of pants/trousers type or length. Certainly this takes in athletics...something I basically stay away from save to "spectate."

Otherwise...

I think from Matt Deckard's, "Putting it all together" thread, colored socks to match or approximate pants/trousers color. I agree, but find it's easier for me to match the shoes more often than the pants.

I prefer white for everyday wear, which is inside boots. More because the construction and weight of my white socks is much better than the colored socks. Although, my daughter has some colored socks that remind me of a roll of Lifesavers, that are thicker than my entire sock collection combined.

Regarding sock garters, I have not worn them, but I do like the bands that clip to the top of the sock and the hem of the shirt. It can be a little irritating on the legs, but they do a great job at keeping you tucked in and more tailored-looking.

(This is off-topic. A health tip, but sock-related. Go to your local pharmacy and pick up a pair of compression hosiery. No need to get heavy compression. Light should do it. They come in various styles for a number of activities and dress. Not sure on color-availability. They really help to assuage common everyday fatigue caused by standing or walking all day. Less ache and more spring in your step.)

 

[Marty M.]

Sock it to me.

I've sold white socks (always over the calf length) to ensenble with very light trousers and spectator wingtips or white bucks. But, these are dress socks, not your athletic type. Cool look.

Marty

 

[Paisley]

Robert E. Lee (a quintisential gentleman by most standards) was last photographed in his uniform wearing white socks.
m

I think that by the end of the Civil War, Confederate soldiers were wearing whatever they could get their hands on.

 

[Quigley Brown]

I think that by the end of the Civil War, Confederate soldiers were wearing whatever they could get their hands on.

don't you mean feet?

 

[BellyTank]

With suits they (whyte sox) look silly (Scilly?). Unless the suit is white (Wight?).

bk

I have ancestry from those Isles of Scilly.

Q/ What comes out of Cowes steaming..?

Have a guess..?


No socks with a Hawaiian shirt ensemble thanks...

B
T

 

[shindeco]

How about those sexy sock garters men used to wear before we had decent elastic to hold the things up? Do any of you own them? They look uncomfortable.

I have a couple of pairs of these. They're not as uncomfortable as they look. (That's not to say that they're really comfy...) I would never wear them with white sports socks, though!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Q/ What comes out of Cowes steaming..?

Have a guess..?

No idea. Some guesses: Boat, train, any male who visits when the fishing vessels are out at sea?



bk

 

[jamespowers]

How about those sexy sock garters men used to wear before we had decent elastic to hold the things up? Do any of you own them? They look uncomfortable.

I wear them all the time. They are comfortable to me. You just have to get the adjustment right. Sock Garters are still needed in my opinion because of the shoddy elastic material used in socks today. They fall down if you don't wear them just as they did in the 30s and 40s---the only difference is they stay up slightly longer now.

Regards to all,

J

 

[Michaelson]

Only rednecks wear white socks. I'm just kidding. Thought I'd tick off Michaelson some more.

Young lady, I could really care less. Your posts speak volumes to me. Carry on. (notice I didn't paraphrase this time, but used your exact words. )

Regards! Michaelson

 

[Marc Chevalier]

White (thin) cotton lisle socks, usually clocked or otherwise embroidered, are great with white suede shoes, preferably oxfords. I suppose you could also wear them with spectator shoes -- IF your trousers are also white (or cream).

 

[Wild Root]

White (thin) cotton lisle socks, usually clocked or otherwise embroidered, are great with white suede shoes, preferably oxfords. I suppose you could also wear them with spectator shoes -- IF your trousers are also white (or cream).

Yep, agreed!

I wear white socks with non dress cloths. Now, I'll admit to wearing white socks now and again but, hear me out. I have seen photos of some men wearing white socks with white bucks! Yes, they were also wearing dark pants believe it or not but, they were wearing a light colored coat. In the 30's there were many little things that were fashionable from one season to anther that wouldn't be even considered today. I will wear white socks some times with white bucks only. If it's any other shoe, it's dark socks of most colors.

=WR=

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Perhaps it has to do with my childhood when mother bought all our clothes at JC Penney, but white socks and white underwear are strictly Nerd-City for me.

I have a few pair of white athletic socks to wear with sneakers when I go to the gym. I do not own any white underwear.

karol

 

[Wild Root]

The color of one's "unmentionables" has very little to do with being a nerd or not in my opinion. Personally, it's no one's business.

But, let me pose this question, aren't we all "Nerds" to some extent? Think about it, if we wear old clothing, us men wear our pants slightly higher then the modern trend dictates and we embrace old fashioned styles, face it, we're all a flock of Nerds! Is this a bad thing? I should say not! I'm proud to be a Nerd if looking like my grandfather is classified as "Nerdy".

Sincerely,

=WR= (AKA, vintage nerd boy)

 

[Tin Pan Sally]

socks

I wear them all the time. They are comfortable to me. You just have to get the adjustment right. Sock Garters are still needed in my opinion because of the shoddy elastic material used in socks today. They fall down if you don't wear them just as they did in the 30s and 40s---the only difference is they stay up slightly longer now. Regards to all,J

====
Is sock garter the proper name for them? It would be cool if they made a revival. One of my friends dated a man from Greece who had the coolest pair of ivory socks that his grandmother had knitted for him. I can't recall the name of the pattern/style. He needed garters for those though, they slouched around his ankles.

 

[Senator Jack]

There is a company out there making sock garters. I had looked them up after having come in to yet another few pair of new old stock silks. Alas, I really didn't have the guts to buy them and the socks don't stay up.

I've certainly seen white dress socks on rockabilly cats (which, btw, is definitely NOT synonymous with redneck in my book) and it looks fine. I know I have seen pictures of the 60s Jamaican rude boys wearing them with loafers, and they were some of the sharpest dressers of the era.

While we're on this thread, has anyone found a good source for NEW silk socks? I've looked all over the internet but have only come up with some basic blacks and some used for hunting.

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[Jay]

Out of curiosity, where does one obtain sock garters? I haven't seen them anywhere.