Wednesday, February 17, 2010
White Socks x Loafers: A Complicated Collaboration
Looking through the pages (aka the digital scans) of Take Ivy I realized just how damn fantastic these kids made the white socks and loafers combo look back in the day. I imagine it is pretty damn difficult to pull off now, especially with shorts, and I am not sure if I have ever seen someone stylish doing so in the wild. Regardless, there is no denying the effortless cool that is 1960's privileged campus wear. Maybe this upcoming spring, on a day where I'm sure I won't see anyone I know, I'll take it out for a test drive.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Unless you live in a 1950s black & white picture world...probably refrain from the white socks...
ReplyDeletethanks for the posts...always enjoy them...
Win- The socks and loafs looks pretty damn good in color too...
ReplyDeleteColor - possibly. Probably me...can't get past the image of Michael Jackson in the early 80s wearing white socks & loafers.
ReplyDeleteI could never pull it off, however, I'm sure you could quite well...possibly a future post.
Let's break it down (in order):
ReplyDeleteLoafers, white socks, khakis: sort of meets the socks-pants rule
Loafers, no socks: stylish
Loafers, white socks, shorts: v. daring, 60's
Loafers, white socks, dark pants: Michael Jackson
unless you want to go for the obnoxious american tourist look, its best to stay far away.
ReplyDeleteBrandon- You think these Ivy cats look like obnoxious American tourists?
ReplyDeleteUnless your man calves resemble your crew, lacrosse, rugby, polo upbringing you probably shouldn't try this look. Chicken legs need not apply.
ReplyDeleteThe white sock worn in the 60s were wool, not cotton, and yellowed a bit with use. This lent them a more refined and less "American Tourist" look. I would probably give the look a shot if I could find the original wool socks, but I would NEVER try it with cotton tube socks.
ReplyDeleteTry ralph for beige wool socks, work better with brown loafers rather than black. Haven't seen white wool socks but then again I live in Australia, we never get the good stuff!
ReplyDeleteHello, I do not agree with the previous commentator - not so simple
ReplyDeletenothing quite says "sef-assured masculinity" like someone wearing white socks and loafers with confidence. Always a head-turner.
ReplyDeletePerfect style, crispy white is very fine:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.preppystyle.nl/2010/08/08/penny-for-your-thoughts-loafers/
White socks and polishable shoes is a bad look. It was then, and it is now. When I went to prep school, lost of guys sported that look, but more out of laziness than for effect. The shots in Take Ivy are wonderful; I admire the way traditional men's clothes have stood the test of time. But seriously, it's not a bible. Guys back then - Ivy-Leaguers and otherwise - just weren't as art-directed and precious as today's trads seem to be. Validating white socks and loafers today on the basis of Take Ivy is risible. Leave that look to Michael Jackson and girls from the '50s with their poodle skirts.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it...these are the same guys who put pennies in their loafers. Same idea here. Not a good one.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wear loafers with shorts t-shirts and black ankle socks, white socks make someone sometimes look softer depending on the outfit so usually darker socks look better. Especially if you are uncertain about the color combination, black nearly always match.
ReplyDeleteI wear white socks with pennyloafers frequently. I've appreciated the look since the 60's when it was worn widely. I still like the way the white socks accentuate the lines of the pennyloafers and draw attention to them.
ReplyDeleteI always start with bright white cotton athletic socks. The primary requisite for the proper way to wear these white sock with pennyloafers is to do it with confidence in a dressed up casual way. Tapered leg khakis slacks, just barely touching the loafer tops, and a polo shirt, (sometimes with matching stripes on the white socks, visible when sitting) or perhaps levis jeans and an oxford button down shirt does nicely for me It definitely gives me a sense of following my own style, and one that I enjoy wearing, and sometimes turning heads.
You can find wool white sweat socks from Wigwam. This is a classic, masculine look that drives me nuts and not only has turned heads but preppy, masculine Ivy league type heads which turned into dates on several occasions. Real men love loafers and white sweat socks. Keep it coming!
ReplyDeleteI remember the white sock penny loafer look, it was actually pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteIt's a dope look. Men against white socks probably subscribe to what Jcrew is telling them right now. When jcrew tells them to wear a white sock, they'll love this vibe. Basic people need a basic company to tell them
ReplyDeleteHey, great blog, but I don’t understand how to add your site in my rss reader. Can you Help me please? buy kids socks online
ReplyDeleteI have occasionally worn loafers and white socks black shoes jeans or formal trousers. When it stopped being in fashion I gave up but I did sonetimes go to work dressedike that in the 90's. I noticed a lot of my buddies would were white socks with shoes in the office including the boss. Its not really in fashion unless your a young guy to wear visible white socks with out sneakers, trainers or slides. Its ok in the hot weather. Paterned socks are better. I consider my self too old for the sockless look now. I think the old 50's 60's College look with loafers white socks and chinos is still good look for the young.
ReplyDelete