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9 Posts
Never cared for them. Anyone else have an opinion?
No Show Socks for Loafers
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Wearing loafers sockless has always been a puzzler for me. Boat shoes I can understand, as they are going to get wet, and the salt water helps with some of the disadvantages of going sockless, but short of wearing loafers to the beach and wanting something easy to kick off when you get to the sand, or being the sort of person who prefers to be barefoot most of the time who just needs a pair of shoes nearby just in case someone comes calling, it's hard for me to understand the purpose of wearing loafers sockless.
On the other hand, despite this it seems like a very popular thing to do.
No-show socks seem like they came about for folks who feel the same way, but where social pressures made it hard for them to just wear loafers with socks, or wear some other kind of shoe that made more sense to them.
On the other hand, despite this it seems like a very popular thing to do.
No-show socks seem like they came about for folks who feel the same way, but where social pressures made it hard for them to just wear loafers with socks, or wear some other kind of shoe that made more sense to them.
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11,821 Posts
No show socks are, IMHO better than no socks! This "no socks" look was a trend beginning in the 1960's by USA Southern fraternity men just to look "cool"! Not sure that it's cool now, or ever was. My objection is damage to the shoe.
The feet have 125,000 sweat glands that can leave a quarter cup of moisture in your shoes every day during a normal day and up to a 1/2 cup when you’re active! The foot along with hands and underarms are the biggest part of the body's cooling system. Leather absorbs moisture.
Even with using shoe trees immediately after you take your shoes off there is a significant amount of moisture absorbed into the leather which can eventually damage and deteriorate (reducing the life) of your shoes.
The feet have 125,000 sweat glands that can leave a quarter cup of moisture in your shoes every day during a normal day and up to a 1/2 cup when you’re active! The foot along with hands and underarms are the biggest part of the body's cooling system. Leather absorbs moisture.
Even with using shoe trees immediately after you take your shoes off there is a significant amount of moisture absorbed into the leather which can eventually damage and deteriorate (reducing the life) of your shoes.
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178 Posts
I don't get the no socks look. Do you buy loafers that will fit with socks or do you purchase loafers for no socks sizing? Loafers do not stay on my feet. I gave up on them long ago. Florsheim had loafers that had a higher front piece of leather and underneath that was a strip of elastic. That did work for me back in the day. I don't know if they still have them.
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654 Posts
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2,357 Posts
no show sock are comfy and “cool” functionally. Thanks @Andy for the info. Insightful as always. I enjoy no show socks. In the summer, they do add an airy element to the loafers…
Check these out: No-Show Socks (2-Pack)
Check these out: No-Show Socks (2-Pack)
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To add a bit of context to Andys mention of the origin of Southern fraternity men, and no socks. Many of them picked up that look at the North and South Carolina Beaches during the late 50's and 60's where the origins of todays Shag dancing originated. {now the official dance of South Carolina) and they took the look back to their campuses. I was not in a fraternity but recall the abundance of Bass Weejuns worn with no socks during that time and continuing today.
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I've never seen a no-show sock that didn't show. So the answer is, no socks period.
But not as a look, or an affectation or some sort of Southern thing. Sockless is done for seasonal practicality, because the warm weather demands you take shoes and socks off as often as practical and the lack of socks speeds the process. And you wear a penny loafer or a laceless Chuck maybe, something that goes on and off real easy, and the foot is instantly exposed to the air and the sunshine and the relaxability. It's called barefoot, you've heard of that. You do this multiple times during the day during the warmth, as you sit on the porch, walk in the grass, park on a rock, or in the sand, certainly in the house, or in your idled car as you fiddle with the smartphone. 10 seconds max, to kick the shoes off, likewise to put them on. Try it come June.
But not as a look, or an affectation or some sort of Southern thing. Sockless is done for seasonal practicality, because the warm weather demands you take shoes and socks off as often as practical and the lack of socks speeds the process. And you wear a penny loafer or a laceless Chuck maybe, something that goes on and off real easy, and the foot is instantly exposed to the air and the sunshine and the relaxability. It's called barefoot, you've heard of that. You do this multiple times during the day during the warmth, as you sit on the porch, walk in the grass, park on a rock, or in the sand, certainly in the house, or in your idled car as you fiddle with the smartphone. 10 seconds max, to kick the shoes off, likewise to put them on. Try it come June.
Ever a contrarian, I like loafers or canoe shoes without socks. I no longer need to worry about demerits for sneaking out of the locker room without socks and with my tie untied. It is now just a slouchy, pleasant thing. I know the look is off putting to some, but I do not care. If it is hot enough to makes the shoes rank, I need to be in flip flops or barefoot. "Forever young" at 73.
In the USA, MiUSA has become a selling point, such that brands hawk "designed" in USA, assembled in USA, etc. Finding wares truly made here is possible, but it requires a little effort.
In the USA, MiUSA has become a selling point, such that brands hawk "designed" in USA, assembled in USA, etc. Finding wares truly made here is possible, but it requires a little effort.
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