Men's Fashion - oxfords/loafers without socks?

[amberpi]

Okay....
I had to go back and take another look at the picture, and actually look at the clothing.....
I think those TIGHT SHORT PANTS are the worst thing there!
The dress/non-masculine loafers without the socks is second to that.

I think the suits are crazy well tailored. But that's what I love about fashion - no one is wrong. That picture and that look with those men? Yes, please. Just not sure mere mortals can wear it.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

What?

NO!

I mean, boat shoes, sure. Oxfords, NO NO NO NO NO!

 

[Hikergirl]

That's so funny. I'm at the point when I see someone in a relatively normal suit, I sometimes think "that needs to go to the tailor." I love the early Beatles style throwback style. Whenever I see super slim fitting suits, I just think of Lawrence Welk.

Slim is OK but I just don't like tight, like the first guy in the picture. To me that looks like union suit PJs
I definitely don't like the no socks with suits, but boat shoes with jeans or shorts- good. Reminds me of dh back in the day.

 

[soccerdad72]

I've only gone without socks with boat shoes or sandals / flip flops. Anything else, I need to have socks on.

 

[DLgal]

Loafers, yes. Oxfords (with laces), never.

The look only works with shorts, IMO. But they NEED to be wearing the little halfie socks. No socks is gross.

My husband wears the halfie socks with all his shoes now...Van's, loafers, etc.

The only type of men's shoes that are acceptable to wear without socks are sandals, flip flops, boat shoes, and slip on "athleisure" shoes like Skechers Go type shoes that are designed for barefoot wear.

 

[smiths02]

Loafers, yes. Oxfords (with laces), never.

The look only works with shorts, IMO. But they NEED to be wearing the little halfie socks. No socks is gross.

My husband wears the halfie socks with all his shoes now...Van's, loafers, etc.

The only type of men's shoes that are acceptable to wear without socks are sandals, flip flops, boat shoes, and slip on "athleisure" shoes like Skechers Go type shoes that are designed for barefoot wear.

Even I wear the no show socks with my pumps. No socks is gross unless a sandal or flip flop, IMO. And even then, your feet will be gross.

I think the whole look depends on what your profession is and where you live. If you are VP of a surfboard company in CA or an executive for a fashion magazine, the look would be okay. My DH is in law enforcement in GA. He would not show up to court looking like that.

 

[DLgal]

Even I wear the no show socks with my pumps. No socks is gross unless a sandal or flip flop, IMO. And even then, your feet will be gross.

I think the whole look depends on what your profession is and where you live. If you are VP of a surfboard company in CA or an executive for a fashion magazine, the look would be okay. My DH is in law enforcement in GA. He would not show up to court looking like that.

Was the question about what's appropriate for work? I didn't take it that way.

 

[amberpi]

Was the question about what's appropriate for work? I didn't take it that way.

That wasn't what I was thinking of, but it was open ended; I mean it's a silly discussion about men's fashion, it could go anyway. The thread was sparked by looking for a couple of pairs of new shoes for DH as he has a more formal work environment. The first page I pulled up had all the pics with no socks, and I see it around, so I thought I'd hit the Dis up for random opinions. I was thinking of what would work casual and business and summer/winter. Just looking for shoes that would work for a show or the office.

FWIW, I think the no socks look could be fine in most environments outside of finance. But, as I mentioned, even Goldman recently got rid of suits, so it's a new day for business wear.

 

[EMom]

I hate the super tight suits on men. Especially when the arms and legs look a bit too short. It gives the appearance of a high school boy trying to fit into his junior high suit, but not succeeding.

 

[Klayfish]

I'm such a casual (i.e. sloppy) dresser....

At work we wore business casual for the longest time, which meant dress shirt and pants without a tie. We recently switched to casual, where jeans and polo shirts or similar type long sleeves are allowed. However, I don't have a wardrobe for that, so I stick with my business casual.

At home, I'm pretty much exclusively t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, sweatpants depending on weather. I own 2 pair of jeans and wear them maybe 3 or 4 times per year. I own a handful of polo shirts and nice shorts and also rarely wear those.

For shoes, gym sneakers in winter and flip flops in summer if I have to wear shoes. Otherwise barefoot...I spend most of summer without shoes on....even driving.

 

[amberpi]

I'm such a casual (i.e. sloppy) dresser....

At work we wore business casual for the longest time, which meant dress shirt and pants without a tie. We recently switched to casual, where jeans and polo shirts or similar type long sleeves are allowed. However, I don't have a wardrobe for that, so I stick with my business casual.

At home, I'm pretty much exclusively t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, sweatpants depending on weather. I own 2 pair of jeans and wear them maybe 3 or 4 times per year. I own a handful of polo shirts and nice shorts and also rarely wear those.

For shoes, gym sneakers in winter and flip flops in summer if I have to wear shoes. Otherwise barefoot...I spend most of summer without shoes on....even driving.

Curious, were you ever into it?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Just don't. No no no no. Noooooo. I know you think you can pull this off men. But you can't.

Women. Carry a spare set of panty hose to throw at these barefoot bozos. They may not like you for it. But the embarrassment is for their own good.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Here's another look men think they can pull off but they can't. The Flexing in the beater.

Just don't.

Another just don't for you guys wanting to look hip and fresh. The combover.

That's a big negatory pal.

 

[Skippy918]

My coworker does this. I don’t like the look and wearing shoes without some kind of sock or liner is just icky.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I almost never wear socks anymore except with real sneakers or with boots. I live in high heels (and now with a standing desk at work I swap them out with slip on Sketchers when my feet get tired) and never wear anything in my heels. When I wear high heeled boots I'll wear socks in those too but low cut booties I usually go barefoot in as well. I never wear socks at home unless it's freezing and even then more often than not they have to come off because they cause me to have hot flashes...

ETA
Oh right - to the question at hand, to me it's fine with loafers but not with oxfords or anything that laces up. Not all men can pull it off but it can be a good look.

 

[smiths02]

Was the question about what's appropriate for work? I didn't take it that way.

Don't most men wear a suit for work, funerals, weddings, business dinners, etc.?
I mean are they walking around Disneyworld wearing this? Going out to the club?
I don't think it really works for either.

It is like the mullet of clothes, business on the the top and a day of boating on the bottom?
I'm also not a fan of the dress shirt, blazer and jeans thing that was in a few years back.

 

[Klayfish]

Curious, were you ever into it?

Into fashion? No, not really. I had my time with the "preppie" look back in the early-mid 80's, but that was very short lived. Always been a t-shirt/shorts kind of guy. Our entire family is that way. DW dresses nice for work, but at home is also very casual. Even DD11 doesn't dress up or wear makeup. We'd let her if she wanted to, and when we take her clothes shopping, we let her pick what she wants (within budget of course). She chooses casual things.

 

[DLgal]

Don't most men wear a suit for work, funerals, weddings, business dinners, etc.?
I mean are they walking around Disneyworld wearing this? Going out to the club?
I don't think it really works for either.

It is like the mullet of clothes, business on the the top and a day of boating on the bottom?
I'm also not a fan of the dress shirt, blazer and jeans thing that was in a few years back.

The question was about shoes, not suits. You can wear oxfords and loafers with outfits other than suits. Come out to the west coast and you will see it all the time. I mean, my husband just went out last Fridsy night with his friends to a bar/brewery and wore nice jeans, a polo and sweater, and LOAFERS. With half socks. He also frequently wears loafers with nicer shorts and a button down shirt (long sleeve with rolled sleeves) in the spring and summer. Loafers can also be casual or dressy. My husband has both types. He wears the dress loafers or oxfords with suits. He wears the casual loafers and oxfords with casual clothes. He wears dress socks only when wearing a nice suit in a formal situation. He wears the half socks (looks like no socks) the rest of the time.

 

[DLgal]

IRL, when it works, it seems to be with people that spend a TON of time on styling. I wonder if it can be done in a normal way.

It works on my husband. He has ZERO fashion sense, but I have it, and tell him what to wear. He is also short though, and it looks best when he pairs the no sock look loafers with shorts and a button down tucked in shirt (long sleeves, rolled up). He looks quite fashionable when he dresses that way. I think it looks weird when really tall or really skinny men do it. If you are showing too much leg, it looks weird. When my husband wears it with pants, his pants don't come up 3 inches above his ankles like that photo. That looks stupid.

It is a very European/Mediterranean thing to wear loafers without socks. Has been that way for many years. It has always been in fashion.

 

[amberpi]

Don't most men wear a suit for work, funerals, weddings, business dinners, etc.?
I mean are they walking around Disneyworld wearing this? Going out to the club?
I don't think it really works for either.

It is like the mullet of clothes, business on the the top and a day of boating on the bottom?
I'm also not a fan of the dress shirt, blazer and jeans thing that was in a few years back.

As I mentioned a couple of times upthread Goldman, freaking GOLDMAN, recently did away with their suit policy. I think very few men wear suits everyday anymore.

@DLgal is describing looks I was thinking of, shorts, dress shirt, loafers seems like a good look.

Also, even though I said "without socks" I meant the look, everyone wears the foot cover things, or I'd think so. I wear ballet flats pretty much daily and they look sockless, but I have the little footies on too.