Many men of the Ivy cloth are increasingly going sockless in all climes except snow. And brogues/royals/smooths/bluchers with no socks! A big thing now. Initially I was outraged, thought it madness, but I admit I've dabbled and it felt quite good... I do yellow now and again when I'm dressing up. Bought loads of knee length fine wool trad socks last time I was in Italy from one of those shops we no longer have in the UK where all the goods are behind the counter in wooden draws. Sell PJs, vests, undies and socks. Only men's of course!

Sometimes, visiting the Squire shop back in 69/70 we could only afford to buy socks and even they weren't cheap. Red, White or Yellow seemed to be favoured colours I seem to remember. A few years ago we were driving through Germany and came across a town with the Falke factory on the outskirts. Fortunately they had a sale shop open on the Sunday selling seconds. We bought up quite a few pairs that day.

Japanese socks seem to be all the go now.  Anyone tried them? 

Robbie, I'd like to hear more about your visits to the Squire shop.  Were red socks already considered lairy?  Keeping white socks white was always a problem.  I once had some strides from Russell Street (the shop not the 'TI' naughty boy) which I wore quite short with white socks and probably Bass.  Too old for the look perhaps but I enjoyed it.  Which, I suppose, has to be the point entirely.

Sockless with loafers, deck shoes, sneakers or dirty bucks - but only in the summer.

In the winter - why would you, other than for pure affectation?

Come to think of it, I don’t literally go sockless. I wear shoe liners, ‘footlets’ from M&S that are visible and therefore make one appear to be sockless.

So that’s probably an even worse form of affectation.

Then, of course, there is the sock on the jaw.

The Shooman makes some good points regarding sox.
I have started to appreciate socks again. I never seem to be able to find the right socks to wear when looking in my sock drawer.
Not sure I will be buying from the JS offerings, however.

Gentlemen, you may be tempted by Schoffel.  They come in a lovely presentation box, three at a time, for around £25.  To be worn indoors only, I think.  There is a rather nasty welt across the toes, which you'll feel as soon as you slip on or lace up.

If anyone remembers the old J. Press store on 44th St. in Manhattan in the 90s, you may recall Peter, the rather large bloke who manned the till? He NEVER wore socks in the shop, not even in the iciest of NY winters. He was also a model of careless dressing - his bow tie looked like he'd knotted it in the dark whilst drunk, and his shirt pocket was covered in ballpoint ink where he'd stuffed his pen into it after writing out your bill.

Last edited by Uncle Ian (2021-10-02 01:28:22)

Anonymous-Ism.  For the chilly months aside, indoors, bowl of gruel, groping for candles to light our way to bed.  £9 a pair now at Chiltern Street, so bought three pairs.  I more or less managed the online transaction stuff.  Paul must have thought he was dealing with someone just about senile.  He may have a point.  I need someone like Yuca by my side twenty four hours a day.  Or Hubert Swaine's nurse.  Oh, the importance of sox, as that Australian chappie might put it!

While we're on the subject, Falke do not seem to be of the same quality as they were around fifteen to twenty years ago.  They seem to weaken easily, if you see what I mean, then there is a risk of tearing.  The best socks I still have in terms of comfort are probably from M&S - inherited from my late father, a pretty careful buyer.

Three pairs of Anonymous-Ism turned up this morning, courtesy of the chaps at Chiltern Street (a special mention for the lovely Tom).  They look to be a good, all-round winter sock, in pleasing designs.  The ankle socks my wife will wear whilst working at home.  I've bagged the other two.