March 18, 2007 | Socks, But Not
It's quickly approaching that time of year again. What time could that possibly be? The time of year when we start digging through the closet to find the sandals, flip flops and other shoes that were relegated to the back of the closet when Winter started. This also means the season for shoes without socks is quickly approaching. Or, in my case, the season for the appearance of shoes without socks.
I'm sure most of you are familiar with the "Not Sock" or "Loafer Sock". If you're not, they're basically socks that look like a ballet slipper, so when you put a shoe on, it appears as though you're not wearing socks at all. As someone who simply cannot wear shoes without socks, the Not Sock is a fabulous thing.
However, they are not all created equal. Some of them stick out beyond the boundaries of the shoe. Some of them simply will not stay on and require adjustments throughout the day. Some are too thick, and some too thin. The only pair I've found that seem to work across the board are from Banana Republic. They're the right size to fit with any pair of Mary Janes I own, and they aren't too thick or too thin. They're perfect. Unfortunately, I bought them in 1999 and they've seen better days. I've made many attempts to replace them, but haven't found their equal. The Gap version is pretty close, but not quite perfect. So I'm turning to the internet for help.
Do you wear the Not Socks? If so, do you have a brand that you adore? A brand you hate? Please feel free to leave a comment. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would benefit from your advice or suggestions!
wow, i can't believe it's not just me. i just googled to find a solution to this problem (lovely spring day today, so i wore these new not socks from my "new " stack, and was so annoyed that they show and move around).
i agree that the Gap ones are the best so far that i've tried (eddie bauer are too big; target toe also too big and still show). one solution that worked for me with the Gap ones was that i washed them in hot water and dried them on high. they shrunk a little so they fit a bit better -- not perfect -- but better, depending on the shoe.
the quest goes on!
I've had a lot of success with tiny not socks by a company called Hue. The socks are found at Macys. I prefer the mesh ones. They don't tend to slip off my feet. Oh, and by the way, The Gap owns Banana Republic. Not the other way around.
I like the NotSocks from the Gap. Doesn't Banana Republic own the Gap?
At any rate, just wanted to say that it is a good idea to save the cardboard that comes with them. It is the only way to find them again easily.
Oh Honey. I DO NOT wear SOCKS. So you got me on this one. But I got a cute pair of these things of which you speak in my Valentine care package from my Mum. They have hearts on them and I can wear them with my running shoes which, alongside me being DEAD, is the only type of situation in which you'd find me wearing SOCKS.
I buy DIM brand not-socks, or sockettes as I call 'em. In Canada you can get them at the drug store, but they are by far the best sockettes ever. If they are too high for some of my flats, I twist them on the bottom and they still work. Good luck with your quest.
Urban Outfitters has some of those tie-up socks jennie had mentioned:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=28072&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=77&iSubCat=89&iProductID=28072
and lacey ones that would show a bit:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=28073&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=77&iSubCat=89&iProductID=28073
I haven't tried either of them, I'm still a fan of the no-show not socks and am not completely convinced that I won't look like an idiot walking around in those tie-up ones. So the hunt for the perfect pair of no-show not socks continues...
Thanks to everyone who has chimed in so far!
Yesterday I bought some of the Merona toe socks from Target. They worked okay that evening, but this morning walking around the apartment they wouldn't stay on. I may give them another go tomorrow. Sock Dreams has some options, so I ordered one of each. I'll have to give them all a test run and report my findings.
I spent some time in Japan last year where I gained a real appreciation for the slightly visible mini sock...if done right it's really cute to see that lacy and/or colorful edge peeking out of the edge of the shoe! Here is an example of a really simple one
http://tabio.com/jp/detail/?cate=5001&hinban=02071
and some more extreme ones
http://tabio.com/jp/list/?cate=10107
I wore them all summer! I especially like the ones that tie in the back. I don't know where to get them here, but I did see a reasonable pair in a Japanese Dollar Store recently...
i have a gray pair from Hue. i love them just around the house and work for almost all my shoes.
I'll have to agree with the person above. i've had horrible experiences with "not socks". Too bad BR doesn't sell them anymore, I would have loved to give them a try!
Last summer I found a new product by Sally Hansen http://www.sallyhansen.com/alldayfoot.cfm "all day foot spray." It's basically extra smelly antiperspirant for your feet. I LOVE IT. It doesn't make my shoes goopy the way foot powder does and it really works. My shoes are not bone dry at the end of the day but dry enough that after a whole season, shoes that I wear exclusively barefoot are not funky. I just threw away maybe 25 pairs of notsocks, it is almost impossible to keep track of those things.
Since I have freakishly small feet, most not-socks still show with Mary Janes. So I was absolutely thrilled to discover Target's Merona brand toe socks - thin nylon thingies that just cover the toes. They work great with my Dansko Mary Janes.
Those circa-1999 BR loafer socks were the best! The Gap ones leave something to be desired.
I don't have any advice on this one but I'm eager to read others. I have no luck with the Not Socks, they never stay on or they are slightly visible. Big fashion no no :)
p.s.
thanks for playing along! it was cool to read your answers :) every once in awhile there is a fun one.