Take it away Gabi…

This may seem nit-picky, but socks are totally important. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been horrifically turned off by a guy JUST BECAUSE OF HIS SOCKS.

The first instance that I can remember happened in 3rd grade. To get to know our classmates, we all took off one shoe and put it in a pile in the middle of the room. We then had to take a shoe, find the owner, talk to them, learn about them, and then present our findings to the class.

We gathered back together in a circle, sitting pretzel-style, since that’s how you do things when you haven’t yet reached double digits. I remember looking around and one boy was wearing white tube socks, and they just didn’t fit right. There was probably an inch of extra sock hanging past where I could see his toes were, and it was just SO BEYOND IRKSOME that I literally thought about it every single time I talked to him, which probably made him think that that surprised/crinkled-nose face I made was my natural facial expression.

And that was in third grade.

SO, to keep you guys (and maybe your friends who aren’t as style savvy) steered clear from the fate of my poor classmate above, I’ve put together a few basic sock and shoe combos below. Never again can you say you didn’t know you shouldn’t wear white tube socks with boat shoes, again. Ever.

WHITE TUBE SOCKS + SKATE SHOES

This look is like, totally Cali-cool. Let the look stay true to its roots, and keep the rest of your look SoCal-skater-inspired for consistency. I’ve seen this shoe-sock combo with mint chino short-shorts and a v-neck sweater tied around the shoulders, and I could feel the wearer’s internal disconnect. Pull the socks ALL THE WAY UP and remind me why I had a crush on that quiet, new student from the West Coast who leaned against his locker and was always late to class. Middle school crushes *sigh*

FUN DRESS SOCKS + LACE UPS

Socks: Merona, $4

Sure, you can wear plain black or brown dress socks, but why not add just a hint of visual interest with some fun patterned socks? The argyle in this pair is a classic pattern that works for the office, but the punchy coral and mint tones will definitely catch my eye when you walk by me, or loiter conspicuously at the water cooler.

UNDER-THE-ANKLE SOCKS + LOW RISE CASUAL SNEAKERS

Socks: Dickies, $12 for 3 pairs

Don’t do the visible ankle sock. Just…don’t. Find one that sits below the line of the of the sneaker, so it gives the illusion that you aren’t wearing any socks at all. Ankles are cool, show them off! The ankle bone is really cool (it rotates!) so why not let it bask in the light of day? If you’re wearing long pants, feel free to wear fun high socks like these.

NO SHOW SOCKS + BOAT SHOES

In an ideal world, you wouldn’t wear any socks with a boat shoe. I understand that sweaty-feet-stank is totally preventable with socks, but these shoes show a lot of foot and just don’t really look good with socks. Thankfully someone invented these brilliant no-show socks, so now you can keep your feet cool and look the same.

Tell me: What is the worst footwear faux pas you have seen? Ever guilty of your own? Be honest…

…And now that you know what’s hot and what’s not, share pics of your shoes AND SOCKS on Facebook or by tweeting at @StyleGF with the hashtag #SUYS!

The post Sock-iquette: Your Guide to Guys’ Footwear appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

Get ready to hit the slopes with a new (Pinterest) board!

{SG Pinterest Picks – Winter Warmers}

Check out the hottest – as in they will make YOU the hottest (and…y’know, actually keep you warm too) – pieces to accessorize your bundled-up outfits this winter season!

…And ladies – I’m sure your guy wouldn’t mind receiving a cold weather accessory from this Pinterest board under the tree this year!

Tell us:

Have a beanie hat that’s kept you toasty all winter? A pair of flannel-lined gloves that you get compliments on every time you wear ‘em? Give a shout out in the comments below and we’ll add them to the board!

The post Pinterest Picks: Guys’ Winter Accessories appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

MS&Co, $20 for 3 pairs

Summer may be waning, but we’ve still got a few good weeks left in us. Heck, if you live on the perennially warm west coast, you’re currently thinking, “Oh that season that comes after summer is almost here…what’s it called again?”

As such, I find it totally worthwhile to discuss the glory that is no-show socks. It’s also definitely not an “Oops, I started this post back in June and only now just found the draft tucked in a folder in a folder in a folder on my desktop.” Nope, totally not talking about no-show socks at the tail end of August for that silly, forgetful reason.

…..

If you know me at all – and I hope that by now you do – you know that I suffer neither fools, nor discomfort, gladly. As such, I will not sacrifice feeling comfortable for fashion (and I won’t be friends with idiots).

That mantra asserts itself in my own wardrobe in everything from the shoes I wear (love my heels, but they’ve gotta be wedges, not stilettos), to the types of materials I buy, choosing natural fiber clothing over synthetics whenever possible (less itchy! Less smelly!).

Similarly, while I’m a huge advocate of the no-sock look, I’m not in favor the no-sock feel. Or the no-sock smell.

That’s why no-show socks are pretty much the greatest thing ever. Sure, they’re perfect, in the summer to go with every kind of sneaker you own. But have you thought about them for fall? As autumn rolls around, pair yours with Chucks and rolled jeans to maintain that summer feel well through October. If you’re particularly forward-thinking in your business style, try them with a slim suit and your double monk straps flashing.

Not only does the no-sock look look good, it’s a good way to give the cold weather the middle finger. “My fully clothed body may be in fall, but my ankles are at the beach!”

The post Things I Think You Should Buy: No-Show Socks appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

This weekend, my best friend from college was in town from the west coast. On Saturday, we took the ferry to Pig Island, a pork-tastic festival on Governor’s Island. Twenty restaurants roasted more than 80 pigs and Six Point served a seemingly never-ending supply of brews. It was amazing. I’m definitely going back next year, and also definitely learning to better pace myself on pig and beer between now and then.

The post Style Foul: Visible Sock Line appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

The post Things I Think You Should Buy: Nautical Socks appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

(comparing stripes)
 
My friend Daniel is a sock connoisseur. Well, actually, his primary obsession is shoes – namely fancy Vans that lace up like a sneaker but look a little more dressed up (liiiiike these). Extra credit if they’re made of some sustainable material; he’s a hippie like that.

But just like you wouldn’t buy a Monet then put it in an Ikea frame, Daniel knows presentation counts. So he wears bold socks to draw attention to his cool kicks. Paul Frank’s a favorite, but anything in a primary color or big pattern will wind up on his feet at one point or another.

Every time we see each other, he strikes a beauty pageant pose with his foot jutted out (it’s manlier than it sounds, I swear), hiking up his pants so I can better admire his latest footwear. The guy’s a regular Imelda Marcos; I swear I don’t think I’ve seen him in the same pair of shoes OR socks twice, like, ever.

Why don’t you try it too?

Bold socks bring levity to an understated suit. Just try to match at least one of the colors to something else you’re wearing…

(J. Crew)

(Unabashedly Prep)

(Daniel once more for good measure. While writing this, I emailed him and asked, “Will you send me a picture of your foot?” He obliged without question)

The post Why don’t you try…bold socks appeared first on Style Girlfriend.