Why Does the Ankle Rankle
Getty Images; Armando Zaragoza
This is an edition of the newsletter Pulling Weeds With Chris Black, in which the columnist weighs in on hot topics in culture. Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Thursday.
For years, I have been persecuted for a seemingly innocuous choice. I often choose not to wear socks—to free my feet from the tyranny of restricting cotton and let my toes touch the supple leather of a J.M. Weston loafer or humble canvas Vans Authentic. I am often shamed on social media for making this choice, but I love the freedom of going sockless, and it’s something I won’t give up.
Last summer, I wrote a quick, straightforward hit piece on no-show socks in my Ask Chris Black column for The Strategist. I was scolded in the comments. I thought I was going to be doxxed like a music journalist who’d given Taylor Swift a bad review. I had no idea that socks were this important to people. What is more dorky than seeing a dainty little no-show sock poking out of a sneaker or, much worse, loafer or brogue? I don’t want to look like Joe Biden. It seemed like a no-brainer, but I guess I was wrong. My comments had a long tail.
I was reminded of this recently when I posted a simple photo of myself wearing some new Dries Van Noten sneakers that I quite like. My ankles peeked out between the green suede and my jeans, and I got countless direct messages from complete strangers angered at my decision to go sockless. Imagine if I did this to people who wore statement socks. What is worse than little white socks with loafers? Or a loud patterned sock with a pair of cheap brown brogues? Have some self-respect.
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I am not opposed to socks and do wear them when absolutely necessary. I am not going sockless at the gym or while wearing my ostrich cowboy boots. I wear a pair of Uniqlo crew socks on the airplane. Maybe a nice cashmere pair in the dregs of winter in New York City. I am just unsure why the personal choice to go sockless causes people to spew such vitriol.
This brings me to what might be the root of the issue: foot odor. I have had a black leather pair of Birkenstock Boston clogs for a decade. I have worn them in any situation imaginable without socks. The footbed is still intact, and there are no smell issues. If you are an adult who showers daily and maintains a generally high level of cleanliness, foot odor when going sockless shouldn’t be a problem. Another determining factor is the quality of your shoes. The deerskin-lined Visvim sneakers aren’t going to smell, but the synthetic HeyDude slip-ons or Allbirds lace-ups will give you a stench. If you are a canvas sneaker lover, Vans or Converse, I suggest wearing them into the ground and then buying a new pair if you have issues. They are cheap; don’t suffer unnecessarily.
This is a hill I am willing to die on. Most shoes look cooler without socks. Don’t take it too far. I am not suggesting that men parade down Spring Street in their Havaianas; those are still reserved for the beach. But as the weather warms up, follow me into the light and leave the socks behind. Trust me, it will be fine.
Originally Appeared on GQ
