I have sock issues too so am "always trying" to figure how I will wear certain shoes.
I'm not sure if you've ruled out nude knee-highs? For me they work as socks, for foot comfort, though not quite as comfy as real socks. So I can wear those, and do, with pants when showing a little foot or ankle. That opens up ankle pants and other tapered pants--I will wear full-length pants with oxfords but they need to taper and scrunch at the vamp and not be a wide trouser. And now I'm finding loafers better for the full-length look since vamp is a little lower.
"real socks" I think could work if intentional as per Jennifer, but would take a very unfrumpy outfit that works with the shoes--a modern pantsuit in pale colors with thin socks in a flashy pastel or one of those whimsical prints. Again,
I would be weighing, can I work with these shoes, or do I need another kind of flat, comfortable shoe, for the outfits I plan to wear? I take into acount my body type and ankles and leg proportions and all of that, for special outfits, anyway. I could not pull off anklets with these and a skirt, for example, even though young ladies have sported that (perhaps ironically, and because they never wore that in the 50's.
You could Google "socks with oxfords" or something and see if you can find any outfits that resonate.
If you still like oxfords, sometimes these are not "the ones" anymore, and you need to update them. Or, you may be on to the "next" shoe style.
