I’m often questioned about the white socks rule for men. You know the rule: when and should I wear white socks? You would think that this would be a simple rule to follow with an obvious answer but if you have seen what I’ve seen this is a rule that has to be taught when you’re a child and carried forward into adulthood.

Now, unless your a construction or factory worker where white socks are a health issue for your feet white socks for office work should not be worn.

Since Arrowsmith Shoes launched years ago, our staff has stood hard and fast by one fashion rule: Men should not wear white socks. Like most hard-and-fast rules, this one has inspired plenty of discussion, but after all these years, we continue to stand by it — and anticipate that we will still be doing so 10 years from now. It’s a timeless men’s fashion rule as incontrovertible as matching your belt with your shoes, and if you haven’t bought into it already, this little article will make the sale. Here are four reasons, outside of athletic activities, why men can’t wear white socks.

1. White socks don’t match anything! A mans pants should match his socks. So, unless you’re wearing white pants everyday, this should be an obvious rule like your belt should match your shoes.

2. White socks get dirty! Dirty white socks are disgusting and if your going to a party in the winter when many hosts will have their guest remove their shoes wearing white socks is going to embarrass you. Even when you put them on clean when you leave, they will show dirt before you put your shoes back on.

3. White socks are sports wear! Whether or not white socks were initially conceived as sportswear, they are now certainly popularly perceived as such. And just as you would never dare wear a hockey jersey under your dinner jacket, nor should you ever dream of pairing white socks with your designer jeans or your wingtips. White socks look good with: athletic shorts, track pants and running shoes. White socks look ridiculous with: everything else.

4. White socks are just too easy! You come to Arrowsmith Shoes because you want to better yourself, and bettering oneself always involves setting and confronting challenges. That’s why you request new responsibilities at work, approach the beautiful women in bars and increase your reps in the gym. This same ethic should be applied to the way you dress and present yourself to the world. Start from the bottom up; instead of taking the easy route of cladding your feet in the same color day in and out, put some thought into it. Start by matching your socks with your pants, then move on to bolder pairings by coordinating them with accessories like ties and pocket squares. The color of your socks may seem like a trivial detail, but it’s attention to detail that distinguishes the man — and shapes others’ perceptions of him. Leave the white socks for the uninformed.

Jim

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