Sockless shell cordovan - opinions

[hreljan]

BB does not make (their unlined version of) LHS in my size, so I have no temptation there.

I have two Alden versions, but they are both lined, and there is always an issue of wearing shoes in that price range sockless, as well as my issue that they are not a common size, and that they may not be readily available for replacement.

I just obtained a pair of AE shell cordovan full strap loafers (seconds, but for $79 - at Nordstom Rack - it was a deal of the year for me).

These are still high quality shoes, but due the fact that I got them at deep discount, I am considering them for sockless wear when the time comes next year.
I know that there is some cognitive bias, since I would not consider this if I paid what AE SC seconds go for at AE outlets.

What are your opinions?

Should I treat these as my other SC shoes and wear them as they were meant to be - as dress shoes?

Should I risk the premature lining wear and/or some comfort?

Should I stick with Weejuns for sockless wear?

[smujd]

Would not wear these particular shoes sockless.

[welldressedfellow]

Stick to flip flops and sandals for sockless wear.Going sockless in unsanitary,IMHO.

[wnh]

Stick to flip flops and sandals for sockless wear.Going sockless in unsanitary,IMHO.

In your opinion? Isn't "unsanitary" the sort of claim that can be validated?


To the OP, I could go either way. Depending on the level of wear on the other pair, I might wear them sockless (if they're already worn "enough") and baby the new ones. But I can't empathize with the posession of shell loafers, so take that with a grain of salt.

[hreljan]

Stick to flip flops and sandals for sockless wear.Going sockless in unsanitary,IMHO.

I already wear Weejuns sockless (and occasionally another SF pair, if worn on consecutive days) - without any inconvenience or adverse health effects either to myself, environment or people around me.

Shoe trees and resting of the shoes does the trick.

So the question is not "sockess or not", it is do I get these particular shell loafers (obtained at discount) in the sockless rotation or not.

[hreljan]

Depending on the level of wear on the other pair, I might wear them sockless (if they're already worn "enough")

The other pairs are Alden LHS. With recrafting, they are never worn enough.

[Larsd4]

I'd go sockless for sure. Just don't wear them on sticky days and let them dry with trees before wearing again. They're shoes, not silk stockings.

[wnh]

The other pairs are Alden LHS. With recrafting, they are never worn enough.

Oh, by "worn enough" I meant the wear to the shoes, not how often the shoes were worn. Perhaps I should have said "worn down."

In other words, if Pair A is pretty worn down and Pair B (the ones you purchased on discount, I'm assuming?) are new, I might baby Pair B and relegate Pair A to socklessness. Just be sure not to walk too close to others; you don't want your feet germs jumping ship and infecting any pedestrians in your proximity.

[Sartre]

I have a pair of old (but still good condition) Alden-for-Brooks unlined shell LHS that I wear sockless all the time.

[fairway]

Regulated only by the formality of the ocassion, it has seemed to me that sockless and loafer easily go together, whether LHS or tassel or full strap.

[Flanderian]

IMO, if one is beyond the age of twenty, it is better to forego the sockless look. I have a friend in his mid-60's who is an authentic preppy. He is a large man who will not only skip socks, but even remove his shoes while doing so. It's not a pretty sight.

[eagle2250]

If it's with anything more formal than a well broken-in pair of Topsiders to be worn solely around the house, I shall wear socks. (Now who was it said) "A man's got to do, what a man's got to do"!

[Topsider]

What's "unsanitary" about going sockless? I mean, it's not like anybody else is going to wear my shoes, right?

[Topsider]

IMO, if one is beyond the age of twenty, it is better to forego the sockless look. I have a friend in his mid-60's who is an authentic preppy. He is a large man who will not only skip socks, but even remove his shoes while doing so. It's not a pretty sight.

As Clint Eastwood said, "A man's got to know his limitations." Face it, some people would be better off wearing a full-body condom. We can only dream.

[Sartre]

IMO, if one is beyond the age of twenty, it is better to forego the sockless look. I have a friend in his mid-60's who is an authentic preppy. He is a large man who will not only skip socks, but even remove his shoes while doing so. It's not a pretty sight.

Well, I'm crowding 50 and I still do it, but rest assured that I keep the shoes on my feet at all times. The last thing I want to do is to create this kind of amusement.

[bd79cc]

Recall that shell cordovan breathes less readily than, say, calf. Your bare feet will release a good bit of sweat into a pair of cordovan loafers even on a cool day. Let your shell cordovan Brooks LHSs dry out for a couple of days between such wearings. Don't forget the shoe trees.

[CrescentCityConnection]

Stick to flip flops and sandals for sockless wear.Going sockless in unsanitary,IMHO.

Unsanitary huh? Do you often find yourself trading shoes with others or are you scared of what you might catch from YOUR own feet? I go sockless constantly in my shells and in my calfskin. No problems yet and my feet are even healthy!

[TBOWES]

I wear BB LHS sockless all the time.

[Miket61]

Unsanitary huh? Do you often find yourself trading shoes with others or are you scared of what you might catch from YOUR own feet? I go sockless constantly in my shells and in my calfskin. No problems yet and my feet are even healthy!

Scared of what one might catch from his own feet?

If you bring home leftovers from a restaurant and leave them sitting on the table for a few days, they won't be fit to eat, but it's not the restaurant's fault.

Sweaty, stinky shoes sitting around can grow things.

[CrescentCityConnection]

Scared of what one might catch from his own feet?

If you bring home leftovers from a restaurant and leave them sitting on the table for a few days, they won't be fit to eat, but it's not the restaurant's fault.

Sweaty, stinky shoes sitting around can grow things.

I guess my feet just don't sweat like some peoples do. I have been wearing loafers, boat shoes and tennis shoes sockless for years. I have never had anything growing in my shoes, never had athletes foot or any other type of fungus. I can also attest to the fact that my shoes do not smell of anything other than leather. Maybe I am just lucky. I do take proper care of both my feet and my shoes so that might be the reason for my fortunate history. At any rate, if you choose to wear socks fine or if you choose to go sockless thats fine too. Different strokes for different folks.

[jackmccullough]

Never.

Sandals or sneakers are okay without socks. Crocs, too.

Dress shoes, including loafers? Never.

[Luis-F-S]

I have two pairs of BB shell loafers I bought 25 and 15 years ago that now only fit sockless. I have AE shell equivalent that are my current size and wear with socks. I enjoy the different looks for different occasions.

[AdamsSutherland]

Thank you for sharing this information.

Post pictures in the "Ode to LHS" thread if you can. It will more than redeem the randomness of reviving a thread that has been inactive for more about 15 months.

[Got Shell?]

Never.

Sandals or sneakers are okay without socks. Crocs, too.

Dress shoes, including loafers? Never.

Can't believe you said the c-word!

[Epaminondas]

I wear the unlined BB version sockless. I'm not big on wearing fully lined shoes without socks - for me it's not as comfortable and it's extremely rough on the lining (the unlined BB shell loafer is extremely comforatble sockless).

Personally, I'd just stick to wearing the weejuns for sockless wear.