Vibrant winter wardrobe
Bockstark Knits / Flickr CC
Embrace colourful socks as the perfect accent to a professional outfit.
January 25, 2012 6:00 AM ADT
Don’t use the dreary winter weather as an excuse to downplay your wardrobe; it should signal the perfect time to add some colour.
If shoes indeed make the outfit, let us also pay attention to socks. Many job interviewers advocate banning white socks altogether, and I can’t agree more – socks extend the outfit. They help elongate the body by being discreet and thereby emphasize one’s attention to the outfit and the face.
A note on white socks: they might be best left for exercising, unless you can really make them work with your outfit. This is tough to do. The reason is that bright white socks pop, and why would you want them to take over the outfit? Also, they could wash out, and off-white dress socks are difficult to incorporate.
There are exceptions, of course, and particularly for men. Socks can be noticeable for men, but not too ostentatiously. For instance, a neutral suit can be supplemented by subtly patterned socks (say, black socks with olive checkers), but not brilliantly coloured socks. This will evince a sense of style and fun – appropriate for dates. Also, bright and vibrant socks are best for parties.
Conversely, a black suit with black socks denotes earnesty – appropriate for job interviews. If you are going down this route, make sure the socks match the pants in the same shade – the pairing of faded black socks with fancy black trousers has no place in this world. It’s helpful to match the texture and fabric of the socks with the pants as well. In this vein, it’s safer to mirror the socks with the pants and not the shoes because shoes are undoubtedly in a distinct category – their impact is best left alone (the colour need not be extended by socks).
At a recent Zegna fashion show, the owner sat in the front row with a royal blue suit and navy socks. If he had worn the same shade of royal blue socks, it would have been too much. The royal blue was fitting for the occasion (when you want to stand out), and the low-key socks added a touch of humility. It also connoted thoughtfulness – he did not rush and carelessly donned whatever he had in his closet. This is an example of the power of a monotonic attire: it often sends a serious vibe and ages the wearer (think funerals), or, a very loud message (think fashion shows).
One might think: who would notice such a detail when the pants normally cover the socks? This is one fascinating aspect of fashion – that little things in the right place can speak volumes. Think of a plain, elegant, beige sweater covering a narrow, crimson, leather belt. The belt is not seen, but when others do catch a glimpse of it – and they will – it makes a stylish statement about the person. It is often one thing that alters the entire outfit.
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