Friday miscellany: a (colorful) transitional season solution & more…
I’m playing a bit of catch-up today after a busy week. In between rainstorms it’s been starting to feel like spring, and a few days have even been warm enough for sandals. But most days it’s still pretty cool in the mornings and evenings, so…
Free the socks!
I don’t know when this whole thing started where visible hosiery became perceived as démodée. Maybe it goes all the way back to Sonny Crockett…
But since I can remember, it’s felt like fashion gospel that if ankles are showing, they should be BARE. Which makes it tough for a lot of you in non-mild climates to wear anything but boots until late spring. On my trips to Europe, I’ve noted that this arbitrary rule is completely ignored. Hosiery, (visible, meant-to-be-seen hosiery) that often is color coordinated with the rest of the outfit is a norm in Paris and other cities I’ve visited. (In fact, my favorite place to shop for socks is Paris…)
It’s time to toss that old stick, and enjoy wearing hosiery again. For the last several seasons, colorful socks or tights with every kind of footwear from sneakers to heels to sandals has been embraced by the fashion-forward set, and visible socks have lost their frumpy associations.
Go proudly out in your statement socks! You can color coordinate with the rest of your outfit, match your shoe color, or go wild. I’ve been adding some fun socks to my stash. I really like these from Stems (warm but not bulky and lots of fun colors). Smartwool also makes some nice ones in fun patterns. For a lighter weight cotton blend sock with a silky feel, these from Falke are *chef’s kiss*. More colors here. For knee highs, these are all really good.
I wash my socks in cold water and line dry, which helps them keep shape and elasticity.
What’s going on, life in general…
My sister arrives later today for a visit, and I’ve been planning some fun activities while she’s here. On my list of possibilities is a visit to the Wende Museum which I’ve heard is fascinating. I’d love to get back to see what’s new in the Culver City Arts District. And we usually make a point to hit the local farmers’ market.
It’s been a busy week for me health-wise. Nothing too serious, but a recent doctor visit showed my blood pressure high enough that she’s put me on a the lowest dose of medication to lower it. She thinks the tingling I’ve been experiencing in my hands and arms is due to carpal tunnel syndrome so I have to sleep with these bad boys now…
Fortunately, they’re pretty comfortable and it didn’t take me long to adjust to wearing them at night.
Aaand…I had to have an abscessed tooth pulled. At least it was a back molar so doesn’t show. Bone loss isn’t just about the spine and hips…it can happen in your jaw too, so be sure you’re getting regular dental checkups. (I do, and I brush and floss 2x daily. Even that wasn’t enough to prevent the infection. What I thought was just an irritated gum was more serious.)
I’ve been on soft food all week, and can’t wait to be able to bite down on something crunchy again!
Bon weekend!
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Ouch, sorry to hear about your tooth and carpal tunnel Susan. You do make those socks for hands look stylish though, if that’s any consolation!
Best wishes,
Julie x
I’m a Birkenstocks and socks fan so I appreciate the links to some very interesting sock brands- thank you! I’m also a fan of a small clothing and accessories line called Imogene + Willie. They have stores in Nashville and Austin as well as a great online presence. They have some of the best socks ever so be sure to check them out!
I was happy to see this post about socks. It’s cold where I live and I need to wear socks but with the younger set and their bare ankles, it always makes me feel old. I would always wear nude knee highs and hope no one noticed. Also, as I get older my feet are very sensitive to the material and thickness of my socks, so I’m going to check out your links and see if I can find some good options. Best of luck with your teeth!
I never got the no tights/hose rule. Bare legs in winter (Colorado) too cold so I use to wear tights that matched my shoes or a fun contrast. If I couldn’t find tights that matched I’d whip out Ritz dye, worked beautifully. It was a fun quest to find shoes in different colors. I grew up in the nude pantyhose era and always felt not finished with bare legs. I hope you don’t have any more health issues and can have a wonderful time with your sister.
Wow- I just went through that tooth thing. I want to tell you I gave birth 4 times with no meds, but tooth pain was a new chapter. Its rough. I had a cracked tooth due to an ancient filling that had deteriorated over 40 plus years…… So get your old fillings checked, people!! If there say, “let’s re-do this one”…. then say yes. Hope you feel better. Deep fried chicken awaits……or a celery stick….whatever…
I was pleased to see that you showed some options that come in sizes for smaller feet. I struggle to find brands that offer anything beyond “one size fits all”. I don’t like cold ankles, so I definitely am a fan of socks!
You can have excellent bones i.e. hips and spine…and still have bone loss in your jaws. Somehow, they are different.
Bone loss in the jaw can be a side effect of biphosphonates such as Fosamax, Boniva, Reclast, etc. I knew a woman who lost her front teeth because of it.
so, I refuse to take any of those meds. I had never felt easy about them, and the feeling got worse when the news reports on jaw bone loss came out, then meeting a victim personally was the last straw!
Love socks and always have. Darn Tough (from Vermont) also has a great, fun, colorful and really comfortable selection.
Take good care of yourself–sorry to hear of your recent challenges. Be well– you make a difference to so many of us.
Thanks for the sock update and the links! I live in Massachusetts and, yes, it has often been frustrating to figure out how to keep feet and ankles warm without visible socks, especially since the cutest pants these days are ankle-baring. I will explore the wonderful world of colorful socks.
Check out Ozone socks https://www.ozonesocks.com/ for fun, fashionable, affordable, comfortable and a little bit cheeky assortment of socks in all sorts of styles! Have been wearing and gifting for years…plus every so often there are sales!
My favorite casual socks are from Darn Tough Vermont — they comes in sizes, which means, as someone with big feet, I don’t have to necessarily wear men’s socks. I find women’s socks to be way too tiny, and tight in the ankle and calf.
PS. Socks and stiletto heels: A recipe for a broken ankle. I much prefer the loafers and socks look in the first photo!
Thank you, thank you for this article! Living in New England and having thinner skin makes it too uncomfortable to go without socks until late spring. Your look with loafers is lovely. Now, if only they’d show socks with ballet flats and other low shoes…..
Hope you’re feeling better soon.
First, I’m sorry for all the health stuff you’re dealing with. I’m glad you’re now able to take the time to address your own health and reminding us to follow suit. Second, and just a little less important perhaps – I’ve been following the return of the sock, also! Never say never, but the line I don’t seem to be able to even imagine is seeing knee-high sheer black socks (c’mon: Knee hi’s!) – just. cannot. imagine.
I have worn smartwools for years and love the fun patterns. Take Susan. Love your blog.
Gosh Susan you are such a trooper! Take good care of yourself! I hope you have a wonderful time with your sister. You’ve been so diligent with your postings—thank you. This article on socks is fun. I like the ‘trend’.
I love statement socks! Just like graphic tees, I look for them at concerts and my travels. I wear them with loafers, tennis shoes, Birkenstocks, even flip flops. It’s a biggie plus when I find actual flip flop socks!
Ugh, hope you recover quickly! Tooth pain is no fun!
I don’t know if it’s growing up in Southern California or what, but I hate wearing socks and I only wear them when forced to keep my feet warm. Weird, right? I won’t buy shoes unless they can be worn comfortably without socks. And there are so many cute ones!
Great post today! Love loafers, but have trouble finding ones I can wear in a narrow size. And the socks: what a great idea. I don’t th8 k I would wear them with sandals, but loafers. Absolutely.
So sorry fir your dental problem, if only I had taken better care of my teeth when I was younger I would have implants and full dentures now.
Wende Museum definitely worth a visit!
My Enlishy editor wears socks all the time and Misja B as well. I am not a sock person. Pity though.
As for your jaw. Don’t you want a pivot tooth to replace it? Even if it is only to prevent the jaw from further erosion?
I’m sorry about your tooth, dental problems can be maddening!
I may try the Smartwool socks from Zappos. My sock issues are:
1.) One size fits all is often too short for my size 10 foot.
2.) I can’t stand tight top bands that feel like a tourniquet.
I hope the Zappos socks work, I hate cold feet!
Men’s socks come in all kinds of fun patterns and colors. No one could tell the difference. I have found some women’s sport socks in larger sizes at Old Navy and Winners (your T.J. Maxx).
Thanks MJ. I’ve tried men’s socks and find the tops are too tight. 🙁
But I’ll be sure to look at Old Navy and T.J. Maxx.
Keeping teeth in your mouth can be a major challenge once you get into the second half of life.
Everyone likes to harp about maintaining your weight and getting exercise plus a healthy diet, but sometimes these things like high blood pressure or high blood lipids happen, and it’s not anything we have control over.
I noticed about a week ago that my face was a flushed. I wasn’t sure why, but after a string of genuinely sunny days I think that it’s time to get the Sunny-season sunscreen routine back in full action. It may not be that warm, but the sun is shining and it’s time to be more on-guard about sun protection.
Feel Better!
I look forward to your emails in my inbox, your sunny attitude about fashion and life is always a bright spot in my day.
Good luck with the health issues. Things we never thought about when we were 25, right?
Thanks for the sock info. I live in Boston and wear socks year ’round. The windchill was in the 20’s yesterday so I am glad to see more full length pants for sale again, that I will be wearing with socks, thank you very much.
IKEA sells a couple of hang dryers with clips that are the best price anywhere, under $10. Socks last longer with air drying. Just hang them on the shower rod.
Enjoy your time with your sister.
Your wrist braces bring me back several years…after second baby I had carpal tunnel issues. Worked like a charm. Now I just have my arm on a pillow against me to not have tingling fingers. I too had a back molar extracted, but happily without the painful lead up you experienced, Susan . Too far back to spend a lot of money on an implant or bridge, and realistically in my 70’s ,not such an issue. Life tests us with these health up issues that tend to sneak up on us. My husband is the sock specialist , and when I travel, I often find something quite different to add to his collection. I miss seeing him go off to work in his sport jacket and slacks with coordinating socks …very handsome. Now in retirement, I see baggy jeans and flannel tartan shirts…for more than half of the year. Suits his time with his hobby of restoring cars and motorcycles, so dressed for success there! I am keen to learn more about your future trip to Paris. I mentioned previously that I will be there in late March and after a cruise along the Seine , back in Paris on the 12th. The beautiful chocolate shops will be dressed for Easter by then.
Hope your minor health woes are done now. Time to enjoy your sister’s visit.
Dental problems are the worst! It has been many a year since I’ve been to Culver City. I think I might do a weekend and visit the Wende museum. I like to find new things close-ish to home to explore.
You have had quite a busy and somewhat difficult week. I hope you enjoy your visit with your sister!!!
Poor baby! Sore mouth and sore wrists, I hope you feel better soon.
I sort of feel like my generation hit the unlucky era(s) of socks: decades of mandatory panty hose for work in offices, then no socks at all. And no socks combined with bare feet through TSA: ugh. I loved hearing about your sock resources.
So sorry to hear about your tooth and your wrist issues. Getting “older” is not for sissies! I LOVE your red socks. I bought a pair of red just this winter. Love socks for colder temps but socks with heels or sandals – no way! My socks of choice are from J. Jill. Their bamboo socks are soft, warm (but not hot), extremely comfy and they launder beautifully in cold water and hang too dry (my drying rack is always full; I don’t put much in the dryer).
Hope you have a wonderful visit with your sister. I’m a few days late in reading and posting.
Lately I’ve heard the term ‘dress sneakers’ for women. Can you discuss this and show examples?
Thank you.