Thursday, August 26, 2010

Ankle Socks: Yea or Nay?

Have you seen the spread "Retro Modern" in the new issue of Lucky magazine? I think it is beyond fabulous. I love the hair, the makeup, the bold color combos, and the swingy 50s-style skirts. But all this is to be expected of me. I was, however, surprised to find how much I liked the stylist's use of ankle socks.

Are you feeling the ankle sock love, readers? Look how cute with pumps and t-straps!

I realize this might not be a popular opinion, hence the "nay" option in the title of this post. And, granted, I've never tried to wear ankle socks and it may prove to be rather unflattering on me. But you never know until you experiment, right? I'm excited to buy some for fall and give this look a go. (The Lucky spread sourced their socks here.)

What say you: yea or nay?

119 comments:

  1. I think if done well socks with heels can be adorable, and I'm certainly a fan of the first two pictures.
    The second two strike me as a bit odd though - the t-bars remind me too much of the shoes I used to wear in kindergarten, while the black socks with green shoes just looks... out of place.
    I do definitely think that they look great with full skirts, but I'm too much a fan of fancy stockings to wear socks.

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  2. Yea! I swear by ankle socks and have for quite some time now. I prefer them with flats, though. Some have suggested that short girls shouldn't wear them but I scoff at those people. ;] They're very cute, bordering on twee, but that's what I like about them. I read somewhere that a lot of teenaged girls started wearing them in the '40s due to shortage of stockings...not sure if that's accurate but, well, there you go.
    Andi x

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  3. They look cute on these leggy models. I have thicker ankles then this and my calves are shorter than my thighs, so they might not flatter me as much as knee high or thigh high socks. Cute concept though.

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  4. i always liked the look on tall and long-legged models, but whenever i try something similar i see myself transforming into a treestump. no matter what skirt length or shoe i wear. so for me personally it's a nay, on others a definite yea!

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  5. Ooo... I like the idea of these but I'm with Rad_in_Brooklyn so these would be a little chunky monkey on me... sigh...

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  6. A loud YEA from me! I love the way the socks look with heels, but I must confess I don't have the courage to go for that look myself

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  7. I'm not sure about the ankle socks on someone my age - but you younger women could definitely pull off that look. BTW, the website you linked to is way cool -it has plus-size tights in fun colors!!!! Thanks for that.

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  8. I love socks with skirts and heels. It is a style I wear all the time during the spring and summer. It is a really easy way to turn my daily outfit into an ensemble!

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  9. I'm all for it! I love heels and socks, in winter I like to wear tights with socks over them.

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  10. I'm a Yea! I think they look fun and frankly more comfortable than stockings. My mother said they worn them all the time in the 50's, but only during the day.

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  11. Adorable on these lanky, leggy models, but somewhere in my mind I think 40+ fire hydrant when picturing them on me. Youth has its advantages!

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  12. Totally a YAY! I also like opaque tights with sandals.

    www.sockdreams.com They are my favorite!

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  13. They look adorable in the worlds inhabited by anthropologie models.

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  14. i am a total fan of ankle socks. So are my feets; they hate pain from rubby shoes.

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  15. hmmm... I think I'm with Rad_in_Brooklyn, annet, and others... They look great on these long-legged models but I'm thinking I'm too short and don't have the ankles to pull this off. And I would be afraid that outside the controlled environment of a stylized magazine spread, socks with heels might look a bit frumpy or strange...

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  16. this look was also a popular one in the 30s (at least amongst the college co-eds). I'm on the fence here. Hm, must try it out on myself before deciding for sure.

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  17. Yay, if you're six feet tall. Otherwise, ask your best girlfriend and have her be brutally honest.

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  18. Well, I am 1/4 inch off from being 6 feet tall and I don't think I would do it. I would walk around all morning and keep looking in the mirror and then take them off at the last second before leaving the house. I love the idea but think that it would work for a select few. I DO love the first 2 pics, so cute! If I were a teenager I'd definitely go for it.

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  19. Anklets and heels? Sorry, not a fan.

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  20. I'm in favor of anything that lets me wear more socks.

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  21. Not for me, but you certainly could Gertie - you have darling neat ankles which could stand having attention drawn to them!

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  22. Yea! I love socks, I wish it was more acceptable to wear them with heals.

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  23. I love how the ankle socks look, especially with the pedal pushers. I think they look cute here with heels, but I love them with a classic loafer.

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  24. YEA!!! I'm in love with this idea, it's going to be a "must have" at my wardrobe this summer (hello from Brasil!! the winter is about to end , spring is comming soon... )
    =))))

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  25. One of those things which look great on models but wouldn't work in real life. Overly sweet at best, stump inducing and plain silly at worst. I'm telling this to myself too, because those pictures are quite tempting. Fortunately, a pair of socks is not a great expense, so trying out wouldn't hurt.

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  26. I agree with Peter. We're grown women! I think it would look too costumey or gimmicky in real life.

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  27. I think Peter said it best! We're not trying to be 12 here - we're grown women.

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  28. I vote yea! I love this style.

    It took me a few times to wear the socks out because I kept deciding my outfit looked more elegant without them. But this look isn't about long slender legs or looking tall and elegant. So you just have to put your socks on and realise no one is going to notice if your legs look a bit shorter or they look less sexy because they'll be too busy noticing how cute you look in your new socks.

    I have little white lace ones, shorter than the ones in your post, that make otherwise simple outfits look pulled together and creative.

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  29. I remember wearing ankle socks with EVERY shoe back in the '80's, sadly I'm fat and middle-aged now and it REALLY, REALLY doesn't work...

    In other words, enjoy your youth!

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  30. I say yea! Haven't done much of the heels and socks, but for swing dancing, nothing looks cuter than cute/bright ankle socks with your shoes!

    A huge fan of these:
    http://store.americanapparel.net/skpack7.html?cid=202

    the colors "office" and "summer peach"=LOVE

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  31. Looks great on the model but nay!

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  32. Back when I was in the working world, and not a stay at home mom, I rocked this look nearly every day. Ankle socks, t-straps or mary janes, and a pencil skirt. And I'm only 5'4" (on a good day).

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  33. Ankle socks and heels reminds of the one and only time I went to a lapdancing club (don't ask) and a load of the strippers wore little girl socks and those lucite heels. I think it scarred me for life.

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  34. Love them! Great idea I'm going to try them. It's already getting chilly here in N WI.

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  35. I don't prefer the look. I keep trying it out because I don't like cold feet. Oh well

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  36. I definitely agree that it works in the pictures as styled...however if I wore it, I'm positive it would look terrible! (I have pretty thick calves.) So unfortunately it's a Nay from me.

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  37. I'm a Nay here.

    It bothers me when fashion editors promote ideas that would make 95% of the population look more, rather than less, frumpy. A few years ago it was anoraks with cocktail dresses. This strikes me the same way. It looks great on the models and it might look good on a few "real life" women. But it won't work for most people.

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  38. I think they make your legs look shorter and they look a little costumey. So, nay. :/

    Janice
    http://www.meladori.com/shesinfashion

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  39. Yea, for anklets.
    But maybe that's only because I love to knit sox.!.!
    I have 17 pair of knit sox in my drawer. Wear them all the time, HOWEVER, only with pants.
    Hugs,
    Gerry

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  40. Yay! It's too hot to wear stockings all the time, and I hate wearing shoes with bare feet.

    I'm not so hot on those black socks with light blue shoes, though.

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  41. Reading the comments on this today was really interesting for me. It's surprising how many people think they can't wear something for fear of making their body look less than ideal or less than it's best. I can understand it, I feel the same way a lot of days as I am a bit over my ideal weight. However on some level I am struggling against limiting myself in what I like to wear because I am worried that others will think I am less than perfect or less than attractive for it. If you like the asthetic, I think you should do it and not worry about how your ankles or calves look. In fact, to be honest I don't think that anyone out there in the world cares how big or thick my anyone else's ankles are. So I say YES GO FOR IT. Show us that it really doesn't matter at all how tall we are or if our ankles may look thick compared to someone else's ankles!

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  42. Yay! Love the look - not sure I could pull it off, but I did just get a cigarette pants pattern so I will be sporting the pants and pump look (not sure about the socks though) and the handbag is "fabulous" in that photo.

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  43. I love this look and think ankle socks look great with heels, however you do have be careful as it sometimes is not always the most flattering look on the legs! xx

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  44. I love those outfits, and thank you for showing them! Ankle socks are adorable, but IMO only for 1. the young or 2. people with a very distinct style and 3. the long-legged.

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  45. Nay!
    On the models it is cute but on the real people I've seen they sometimes look like giant five year olds. Sorry :(

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  46. I think yea - ankle socks can be über-adorable! But, it just doesn't work with any old outfit (and I think sadly, bodytype). I think the two last outfits would be the most sucessful outside of a fashion spread, because it's a solid nod to a certain era, but it's not too exclusivly 50s or 60s. To me, the appeal is in the quirky nod. And the heels, it seems, is a must.

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  47. Yes! I love them with flats and skirts or dresses. There are some days I just can't be bothered with heels or they're too impractical. I think they're cute.
    Don't like them on the last pic with capris, though.

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  48. I love ankle socks but NEVER with heeled pumps or with T-straps of any kind. I wear them with heeled or flat oxfords and, of course, with saddle shoes and loafers. With pumps and T-straps, I fear they look too day-glo '80s. The 80s sock/pump look, I think was supposed to recall the 50s as well...

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  49. Ick. No. That look is best rocked by those under 10. And even then, it's questionable.

    Sorry, Gertie!

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  50. I think they're a great look, especially on these models. Not so sure it would be a great look for me, being 45. I'm willing to give it a try. My test will be my teenage daughter. If she laughs, then I know it's not for me. I just think it depends on the person. Not everything will work for everyone. You just have to give it a try and see. You could try it out, then ask us to vote. That would be fun.

    Trudy
    www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com

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  51. Karen is right about the site from the article - I order from them all the time and their stuff is terrific! I wish I was young enough to pull this off - oh, well - I can order them for my daughters!

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  52. I definitely want to give it a try! I think they are darling! The looks look so Fall fresh and sort of innocent school girlish. I definitely say Yay, I mean at least give a try. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  53. I've liked this look since I saw some brightly-colored ones in jcrew last fall. Here:

    http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Sale/AllProducts/PRDOVR~19179/99101846013/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~20+17+4294966888~15~~~~~~~/19179.jsp

    However, I share the opinion that on women who have short legs or curvier calves (I fall into both of these categories), they just look dumpy and unflattering. I feel the same way about ankle boots... cute on someone, just not me.

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  54. Ooh! Adorable. Socks are sadly underloved in the fashion world, but I'm enjoying the recent spotlight on them.

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  55. YAY ALL THE WAY (caps and rhyme needed)

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  56. they look great on the 6 foot skinny 20year old models, not so good on a 41 year old 5'4" vintage aficionado.

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  57. oh LOVED that section! i kept the magazine just for that! the outfits are soo cute and YES to the ankle socks although i am trying to work it into my wardrobe but not sure the look the is for me but anyone that can pull off i say you go!

    xo,
    cb

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  58. I say Yea with the skirts but Nay with the crop pants. The last picture would make me look twice at what a pretty girl, but kind of dorky.

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  59. I love how this looks on the model but I would feel more like Edith Anne than Sue Lyon.

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  60. I say Yay - plus, it will make your shoes more comfortable! Loved that Lucky photo shoot styling :)

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  61. I work at David's Bridal and back in the sewing area we are required to wear close toed shoes... so I went and bought this great pair of Mary Janes and the shoes are way cute. I wear ankle socks with them and my manager who is one of the most fashion concious people I know continues to poke fun and tell me I should have little lace around the edges and have my hair in pigtails. I wear the sock for function over fashion, I have to have special orthodic inserts and they smell nasty if I wear nylons. I can't bring myself to go out in public that way after the comments I've had from fellow fashionistas at work...

    Having said that, I think these pics are cute and you could get away with it in the right environment... retro gatherings, sock hops, etc... but definite NAY on the pants pic...

    My final answer, though, is if you are going to dress in a way that is more dressy than most of society today, why get lazy at the socks? Dressing retro makes you far dressier than the societal standard of College sweatshirts and pajama pants... Don't slack at the socks.... so, Nay.

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  62. I routinely wear ankle or knee socks with my skirts. Some people comment because they think they are cute, some think they are too childish. I don't really care, I like them. :)

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  63. I love them with the pants. Like booties almost. But with the skirts they look a little too cutesy. I think I look too short when I wear them with a skirt, especially with a knee length skirt. Maybe with a shorter one, but definitely the pedal pusher pants with dark socks and lighter pumps. I think I'll go put that outfit together now!

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  64. nay. nay nay nay. why chop your legs up that much more? and why do you want to look like a child?

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  65. I like to wear bright socks under pants but for me it would not look good with a dress.

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  66. Definitely nay, for myself anyway. I'd look like I'm trying to be a five-year-old, or like I just threw on some athletic socks with pretty shoes. I'd just look stupid.

    I don't even like how I look in ankle-length athletic socks. I like the short ones that don't show over my sneakers.

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  67. i'm not anti-socks, but i like them better with flats than the heels. to me the whole idea of socks lends itself to a more casual look, so saddle shoes or loafers a la Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face makes more sense to me than pumps.

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  68. I'm a yea. I rocked this look when it was popular in the 80s so I won't be doing it this time around, but it's adorable! I think it's fun and fresh.

    I think more importantly than being model tall or thin to pull this look off, is to be be comfortable with yourself and your fashion choices. If you never try it how do you know you won't like it?

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  69. I say Yea...I have seen these in several magazine fashion spreads and really like how they look. I haven't tried them on me...I am afraid I will look quite ridiculous in them, but they sure look fun! Maybe I will give them a go now :)

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  70. Yea when swing dancing, as I tend to dress more '40s then, and it really pulls the look together. Nay when otherwise out in the world. I'd rather wear socks that barely show over the top of my shoe, or knee socks and tights when it's colder.

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  71. I absolutely LOVE the idea of ankle socks, but I've never been brave enough to wear them out.

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  72. Very cute on young and slim and pretty girls, pretty much silly on everybody else. A lot of styles work much better in fashion editorial than they do in real life.
    But the cute pink knitted top makes me think about my next (well next next next) project :-)

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  73. I like the spread a lot, especially the gray plaid dress with the shoes and socks. I could never though: I've got the wrong legs (thick ankles) and just don't do the cute/flirty look well.

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  74. i like them- sometimes they look quite put together as opposed to Lolita, but *I* can't wear them. They make my normally long legs look very stumpy. The only time i've ever really tolerated them was in costume for plays.
    Love them on other people when done well, though!

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  75. NAY, I SAY! Ankle socks with dresses are for little girls under the age of five. It looks sloppy and lazy - like it was too much effort to pull on a pair of hosiery.

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  76. I LOVE ankle socks! I wear them ALL the time!

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  77. I like them, but it is perhaps my knitting bias showing - I see so many photos of shoes with socks that I hardly see it as odd! I'd wear it, but I think people would look at me oddly!

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  78. I have to vote nay... I have delicate little ankles, I love pretty heels, but I would feel like I was dressing like a child. I have enough trouble with not being taken seriously due to being young-seeming. It can work for others, but not for me :(

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  79. Yea for other people, Nay for me...

    I wish it would work on me, I actually might try in the comfiness of my apartment, but I think you need long and lean legs for that... And also, shoes big enough to fit the socks in :S

    Also, like when I was 16, I went along an award giving thing. I chose your blog as one of my five favorites.You don't have to do it too, but I just felt like telling the blog world how much I appreciate your work.

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  80. I adore them and I wear them all the time. And, like every cute look that could go very, very wrong, editing is key.

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  81. Pretty, pretty reto loveliness - a yea from me... Just as long as you can carry them off - I'm short and chunky-legged, so a nay for me, alas!

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  82. yea! I love it, but the socks must be super delicate to pull this off, so they're not weighing you down too much. Floral socks or ones with frills are really great too! This is a tricky look, for sure... use discretion if you don't have long model-y legs (yeah, most of us don't)!

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  83. I'm not sure I like them in real life, but in the shoot they look good.

    I'm wearing tights from We Love Colours right now and they are excellent.

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  84. I would give a YEA for the ankle sock look on the right person. Unfortunately, my short and stubby legs say NEA, so I´ll stick to my longer-length length socks and tights instead.

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  85. Nay. Well I've seen lately in fashion magazines how girls wear ancle socks, in your post you show pictures of girls dressing very 50's style but I have seen pictures of modern girls with socks, I you must be very confidence in your outfit in order to do that, in a magazine they said perhaps you can start with socks of the same color as your shoes......

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  86. yes yes yes. i wear them with everything (but i only wear skirts and slip on shoes) i find pale colours or lacey ones are the best. and it means you don't have to wear shoes with bare feet in summer (i can't do that!) it does mean that your feet are whiter than your legs though so if you start the summer in them, you have to comit! :)but you won't look back. your style is perfect for it. xx x x x x x

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  87. Nay with a big, fat capital "N"!

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  88. I love it! I have so many shoes that rub against my heels that wearing socks is a lifesaver. Plus they keep your feet warm! What's not to love?

    I'm disturbed by the number of people who think there are sexual connotations to them though, and feel obliged to avoid them because of it... surely the same could be said of backseamed stockings, yet we all love them!

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  89. I love the Lucky mag looks. I'd totally give the ankle sock look a try.

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  90. I love the look of ankle socks, especially with kitten heels or cute little T-bar shoes. The ones with a little lace trim at the top that you fold over are adorable, but unfortunately the unshapely ankles I've inherited do not permit me to carry such a delightful look well. But seeing other people wearing them well (such as the beauties in the pictures) makes me happy enough lol.

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  91. I think they're cute, but with flats, not pumps.

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  92. Well I can see Peter's point about the almost uncomfortably youthful look of ankle socks and pumps. It's also an unflattering look for anybody who doesn't want to add layers or draw focus to their ankles.
    Yet I can't help but like the look. At least in the magazines. I've got nice ankles, but I'm borderline in age. Don't know if it would feel right on me anymore.

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  93. Considering I already have the T-straps and very much love them, I think I'm absolutely doing this, because I love them even more with socks.

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  94. Yay in fashion shoots, Nay in real life...

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  95. From someone who lived in that era - they are a very nice alternative to the "no hose" look. But then for years I've been wearing talc in my "no hose look" shoes and that's just as comfy.

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  96. I love them in the pictures with the skirts and dresses, looks a little choppy with pants.

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  97. oh yey, but I am not sure my stumpy legs would benefit. Though I occasionally wear converse when I know I'll be walking a lot and I did add some lace to the tops of a pair of short socks and the look actually make my legs look longer in the converse. wow!

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  98. Super cute if you're young enough to pull it off. I'd say by 35, you're probably over it.

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  99. In photo's and with a stylists touch cute look with right age and legs....however, I saw a young woman strutting this look (socks with heels) downtown last week and I gotta say...not so good. So once out of secondary school....no. Too costume ish.

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  100. Absolutely yea! I wear them all the time. I'm quite short, but I think they look more flattering than people usually seem to think. In my opinion, ancle socks can add a nice splash of color to an outfit.

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  101. I LOVE them. Socks just seem to add something to a simple shoe that I just love.
    Too bad I'm not bold enough to wear them personally though.

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  102. I am Yea, I think they look great. So much so, that I used the look in my recent photoshoot.

    Peta

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  103. I have to admit I like the idea of ankle socks in theory--they're terribly useful for keeping one's feet warm and comfortable. But, on the other hand I can't get over how they do look kind of odd with the rest of the outfits (which is what usually has put me off them in all the other editorials/catalog images I've seen of models sporting the look!)--especially if they're skirts. That being said, it does give things a bit of a late 40s/50s bobby-soxer vibe, which is cute. I don't know--I think I'd have to try it out and see how I looked and whether I was gusty enough to wear it in public! lol.

    ♥ Casey
    blog | elegantmusings.com

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  104. I am all for ankle socks! AND knee-highs!

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  105. The look can be cute and fashion-forward, but I say that it is only appropriate for those that already dress boldly and in trend. If you are adventurous and experimental in your look, and find yourself following many in-the-now trends, go for it. For those of us that stick to a more subdued, "normal" or off-the-rack look, tossing on ankle socks may just look like we put on a costume and are headed for the sock hop. I think it is cute, but to be worn judiciously.

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  106. The trend is definitely not for me, but if anyone can pull it off with aplomb, it would be you.

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  107. Yea! I love my ankle socks, they add an alternative factor to my wardrobe, and they don't make you look like a child. Regardless of the forewarning that short girls need not wear them, being a girl under 5'4" I still think they look good!

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  108. I too rock the ankle socks with my black shoes when I go to work. I've always worn ankle socks and never liked tights when it gets hot. It is sort of a little girl look, but I'm short and in my 20's, so it works for me.

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  109. no no no no no!
    I agree with you on almost everything but not this one-shades of lecherous old men hanging around school yards...ick!

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  110. I love socks with heels too. I love when my girl wears that.
    http://www.imagehousing.com/image/613871

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  111. I have to wear socks or tights with shoes or else I end up with blisters and bleeding ankles. So yay from me.
    I also shamelessly wear socks with skirts/dresses when I dance....I notice in a lot of old newsreel film that dancers wear socks and shoes.

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  112. I know I'm late to the party with this one but Yea! I lurve ankle socks with heels. I rock that look all the time under my circle skirts or my wiggles. I'm neither tall nor thin, but it is still super cute and flattering. I get compliments when I'm out about it.

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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