Gal Pals, it’s time to face the facts: the socks and heels look came in with a vengeance a year and a half or so ago, and it shows no signs of abating in the fashion world. Most of you will be fine passing this one by, but for the more fashion-forward among you, I think this can be fun. It’s all about texture, heel and whimsy. It’s not about “oooh, I can wear my beagle socks with my NAOT loafers and capris!” but “Wow, what about some slouchy anklets with those great two-toned Oxfords, a pair of wide-legged trousers and a striped sailor shirt?”
If you don’t have a flair for styling outfits, it’s fine not to mess with this trend. These images are all from the Urban Outfitters website, and let’s look at the ugly first:
No. Because you’re too old and you had your chance at the 1980’s already. Leave this to someone under 25. Don’t cheat the next generation of the opportunity to deeply regret that she once wore pumps and ankle socks.
Try those with a sheerer, more feminine sock and you’d be spot-on trend. Wear those with, say, a dress and funky little jacket. KEWT!
Avoid print socks, which are just too youthful. The socks with open toes look is edgy and whimsical enough – keep the sock very simple and in a color that’s not darker than your shoe.
With a maxi-skirt, this sort of look (these shoes look very cheap though, and I don’t like them but I do love the bootie and sock thing) can be really granny chic, which is super in right now. I know, I know — don’t freak out. It is. If you’re an ACTUAL granny I still think you can adapt granny chic for your own use and have fun with it but don’t overdo it. Granny chic is all about layers and little details like crocheted edges and a bit of ruffle, and a laced-up shoe and brooches over cardigans. The key is not to do your whole outfit in the floppy, Victorian proportions or all in lacy doiles, which will just make you look like The Rev. Crazy Cat Lady.
If you live near a Kohl’s, I must tell you that I found the most DARLING sheer ankle socks with a slouchy top on sale for $3.99 per pair. They have are very sheer tint colors and have tiny dots on them and they’re absolutely the most beautiful, feminine things. I can’t wait to wear them with my crazy high heel Mary Janes, my two-tone Oxford tie-ups and MAYBE a chunky brown sandal (not sure about that last one). It’s an easy way to jazz up a simple skirt and cardigan outfit for a day of workshops, teaching or preaching.
These next images are from FreePeople.com, where I love to look at the clothes just because they’re beautiful. Their shoes are the ultimate in Hippie Girl Chic and while I don’t think any minister needs them in her closet, they’re fun to study just for design and architecture. Again, this isn’t about you wearing them – it’s just a stroll through an art gallery to look at some interesting shapes and looks. That’s how we BROADEN OUR HORIZONS, Class!
(I am SUCH a sucker for the visible grommet!)
I’m trying to convince myself that I did NOT wear those high wedgies…but I did. Maybe even with tropical socks and painter’s pants and a tight t-shirt now that I think about it….I was so cute and young and clueless…those days will NOT be returning at our house but it’s fun to look at!
My dad would say…”If I made you wear this, you would surely hate me…”
I have come to the conclusion that I am completely clueless when it comes to shoes. IDK -maybe I’m missing the ‘those shoes are so cute’ gene. I’ve been browsing the new shoes trying to get an idea of what’s cute, so when I shop for something comfortable I can avoid the horridly frumpy, but alas, I just don’t get it.
Keep trying PB, maybe some day I’ll be able to figure it out.
There is a wonderful online site for socks with excellent customer service: http://www.sockdreams.com . Free shipping in the US.
(I have no affiliation other than being happy with my prior orders, and I get no kickbacks. Just love’em.)
I wore high platforms like that…a few times, in the early 70s…until I got tired of twisting my ankles every time I fell off them. Didn’t take long.
No. It’s a no-go.
No ankle socks with skirts or feminine shoes.
It makes you look childish- you’re not at pre-school any more.
It makes your legs look short- no matter how long they are.
Ankle socks may work under trousers -but make sure no bare leg will be seen if you sit down or cross your legs.
I personally wear them for sports only.
I’m with Chavale. I think that look only looks good on a model type but it’s not because of the look but because model types look good in anything.
For one, the socks should not be the short, sporty kind of socks that you wear for sports. They should be sheer-er, and have some give to them.
Second, they do shorten the leg, so there’s that.
Third, I think the skirt needs to be long and flowy (although NOT large and floppy, gads!).
Fourth, I would style them with fitted uppers, things like fitted jackets and vests.
I can think of about six clergy women off the top of my head who have enough style to pull this off and not look in any way childish.
Fifth, the no-skin showing when you cross your legs rule is ridiculous. That’s for men, not women.
Bohemian-Victorian is a beautiful look and perfect for clergy, librarians and professors. If more of us could rock this look we’d have less generic frumps walking around. It does take commitment, and great accessories.
I’m with Chavale too. No, no, no.
The angle on that last pic made me think, “What, have her feet been bound?”
I’m with Chavale and others in saying this look is a no-go.
Once again, as I clearly said: “it’s a stroll through an art gallery.” It’s not about if you would wear it. It’s looking at fashion, which ministers rarely do. Meanwhile, most of them continue to look generic or straight out of 1982.
If you consider this blog an art appreciation course perhaps you will stop the reactionary pearl-clutching and just learn to look, to observe. I’m not picking out clothes for you here. I’m providing an editorial on a current fashion and was quite intentional about saying that this isn’t for everyone.
Fifth, the no-skin showing when you cross your legs rule is ridiculous. That’s for men, not women.
Can you explain this?
(Count me in on the UGH to any ankle socks and shirts, ankle socks and feminine shoes combo. It looks schoolgirlish to me. With high heels, schoolgirl porn.) [There is that porny aspect with the latter, true. To keep it simple: when a man sits, he should not be sitting in such a way that his pant leg rides up and one sees an expanse of hairy (or smooth!) calf. It’s bad manners. So it’s not really about the sock length but about the way one sits. Women shouldn’t be sitting with their legs flung all about, either, but if they show a glimpse of calf while crossing their leg, no big deal. – PB]
Are the last pair from Anthropologie? I love them but I’d break my neck wearing them. the pumps/socks combination reminded me of Judy Garland & her ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz.
I think that this look is definately one where the “if you are old enough that you wore it last time around, you are too old to wear it this time” rule applies bigtime.
I work ankle socks with heels to high school back in the 80s. (Pink panther pink if memory does not betray me). My excuse is that it was the 80s and I was 15…
So (sadly) this is one trend I’m leaving to my teenage daughers this time around.
For the record, I rock this look on a Saturday stroll through my neighborhood. My favorite is the over-the-knee sock with a platform wedge.
I live in the Village, and, quite frankly, it would be strange to look so straight-edged all of the time.
I’ll admit that I haven’t rocked the look at church. I doubt I would, but I’m not ruling it out. I run into parishioners on the street most days, however, and they’re proud to have a pastor who’s fashion conscious – Lord knows they are. They design costumes for Broadway, they are artists and musicians and would never respect a pastor who didn’t take her/his look seriously, pushing the edges, etc.
I guess the key is to know your context & how to serve it authentically.
Noooooo!!!!
I just can’t get on board with this trend. If its not done right, on a 20 something clergy person it can look very juvenile. I worry that it might say, “I am a young pastor, in fact I am still so young I wear socks like my mom used to dress me in when i was 4 years old.” As you would say PeaceBang, for me this look “would lend me no authority.” But I appreciate the fresh look and maybe it would work for others.