The warm season may be over, but its sartorial habits linger and will come back to life next summer. When it comes to footwear, more than a few men choose to go without socks, from early spring until late autumn. Although a bare ankle is an essentially feminine gesture, we are often asked what advice there is for men determined to give up socks all the same. Here is some of it.
1. Hygiene: how is odour prevented without socks?
Sweat cannot be avoided; odour can. It comes from the bacteria that thrive on perspiration. A talc powder that keeps the sweat glands in check is the first line of defence. In quality shoes lined with natural leather, a little perspiration will offend no one’s nose. Still, prevention is better than cure.
2. Low-cut socks: a compromise?
These are the so-called no-show socks. Cut low, they stay out of sight yet offer a measure of comfort underfoot. They bear a striking resemblance to the stockings village belles wear with their peasant moccasins. Breathable fabrics such as natural cotton or merino wool are excellent here. A practical detail often overlooked: most no-show socks come in a single universal size designed for a larger foot. Men with smaller feet should look for specific sizes, or the sock will slip off within the first few steps.
3. Breaking in: why are socks a must with new shoes?
A new pair of Goodyear-welted loafers will most likely be stiff for the first few wears. They should be worn with socks at first, until the cork bed between insole and outsole takes the shape of the foot. Otherwise, the wearer risks becoming the proud owner of swollen feet and calluses. Such a shoe needs three to four weeks of wear to mould itself fully to the foot.
4. Soft or stiff leathers: which work without socks?
Not all leathers are created equal in the tannery. Horse leather from Córdoba (the so-called cordovan) is extremely stiff and takes a long time to yield to the foot. As for exotic skins such as ostrich or snake, the less said the better. Soft, unlined deerskin, by contrast, is flexible from the very first wear.
5. Rotation: why does it matter so much without socks?
The same pair should never be worn two days running, least of all without socks. At least a day’s rest between wears lets them dry out completely. They belong in a dry place, with shoe trees inside. Wood, especially cedar, absorbs moisture, prevents odour and keeps the shoe in its original shape.
In the end, hygiene, socks in disguise, breaking in new shoes, a careful choice of leather and rotation are 5 tips for men who wish to show their ankles in public. At ZAVATE, however, we retain certain reservations as to whether a gentleman is entitled to do so. Each man is nonetheless free to test what works for him, and to own the choice.
