| Taken from the internet (author unknown) Shoes, like dogs, sometimes look like their owners. Red women's dress shoes with high heels may give off the impression of a stylish go-getter. Neutral colored dress shoes with low or no heels may attract buyers who are a bit more conservative or more interested in comfort than looking svelte. The same theory applies to men. Work boots, hiking boots, dress shoes and Docksiders carry the personality of their owners wherever that owner may travel. For men and women, sandals are usually a sign that the wearer is prepared for spring. Sandals allow feet to bask in the sun and let the breezes blow between happy toes. But what about people who wear socks with their sandals? What kind of message is that? "It depends on what kind of sandal you're wearing," said Mike Mitchell, manager of Houser Shoes, Inc. at Hanover Center. Trouser socks with casual sandals walk in and out of Mr. Mitchell's store every day. He sees a lot of people wearing cotton socks with beach sandals. "Some people walk on the beach and don't want sand between their toes," he said. For people who don't want their toes to run free in the spring weather, Mr. Mitchell recommends wearing sandals with no back strap because it pulls the socks down over time. Other people aren't as receptive to the idea of crossing seasons. "As far as I've ever known it's a no-no," said Barry Washburn, assistant manager with Boseman's Sporting Goods, 5050 New Centre Drive. "I see some older guys doing it, it's probably even worse for girls than for guys." Most of the sandals Boseman's sells are plastic Nike and Adidas sport sandals. They have raised areas that are designed to massage the feet while walking. "Those things aren't even designed for socks," he said. They're also not designed to wear while playing sports. Mr. Washburn recommends wearing the Nike and Adidas sandals sockless when visiting the beach or slipping them on when you're feeling extra-casual. One sandal company takes a different view. Birkenstock Comfortable Soles sells a wide selection of socks in its store, some are specially designed to be worn with sandals. "We sell lots and lots of them," Rocky Brown, manager of the Birkenstock store at 425 S. College Road said, "You see everybody in Boone wearing socks with them." Socks worn with sandals in colder climates seems reasonable, it gives toes freedom to wiggle without freezing. In warmer climates like Wilmington, sandal wearers can slip on socks designed to keep their feet cool. In February the store received a shipment of Coolmax socks. They are left and right footed with special reinforced patches that fit almost perfectly into the Birkenstock soles. These patches are made of material that draw moisture away from the feet and add extra cushioning. The reinforced places are even placed where the sandals' straps cross the top of the feet. Mr. Brown also sells a selection of socks that fit like gloves over the feet. Each toe has its own warm place. Some people like to make statements with their socks too; the glove/socks come in rainbow colors or simple black and gray. If you're still confused about what wearing socks with sandals says about your personality, don't worry, other shoe fashion questions always pop up. In a recent article in Entertainment Weekly magazine, one writer noted that socks worn with pumps "seems to be the thing for spring," in large cities. |
| Socks with sandals? Depends on who you ask |