OTK sock looks that aren’t vampy/campy - YouLookFab Forum

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OTK sock looks that aren’t vampy/campy

Stagiaire Fash

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For my BiL’s 60th birthday, which is coming up, I want to give my sister an alluring sartorial gift with a note that says something like “he’s old, not dead” with a wink. There is precedent for this; they said they enjoyed similar gifts I’ve gotten them in the past, and he once asked me to help him find something similar for her, so I think they’ll like it. I’ve got some time to think about it, which is good, because I need to figure out what to get.

I know he likes the look of otk socks, so I want to build her outfit around that. It should be more daring than http://www.rocknsocks.com but *not* as far as a sexy schoolgirl or dominetrix in black or harsh red, which seem to be the two main looks, along with a host of costumes—Dorothy! The wicked witch! A nurse! A teacher! (Really just a variation on dominitrix)—that come up when I try to google fun outfit ideas with otk socks. Can you help me brainstorm appealing outfits for her to wear in a very private setting?

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Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Synne

Veteran

I just tried to picture Anjelica Huston or Sophia Loren with over the knee- socks. I can't wrap my head around why a 60 year old would wear a style like that. Wouldn't "dressing young" only accentuate the age of people over a certain age? I am saying that as someone approaching middle age myself. What about a satin robe or garter belt or something of the sorts? Nonetheless quite the feisty birthday present idea!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Synne, “feisty” is the idea! Interesting how different things sound to different “ears”. I think playful socks would be easier for her to handle than a garter belt. She was totally fine with the garter belts I used to wear (because I didn’t like pantyhose, but they were pretty) but never showed the slightest inclination of interest in one for herself. Like you said, if I do the socks, i want them to be part of an outfit that avoids looking like she’s trying to look “young”, as well as all the costumey ideas I’ve found online. Searching for ideas is frustrating, because there are tons and tons of sites selling cheap “lingerie” that we don’t want to touch.
One of those earlier gifts I mentioned was a robe, with a matching chemise, so I’d rather not repeat.

gryffin

Veteran

What about taking it RATE and going hiking look? Tunic length sweater maybe turtle neck and chunky, leggings, patterned OTK socks and hiking boots, extra points for fur detailed. Something warm, cozy but off the beaten track. Patterns like peruvianconnection kind of thing. I'll try and add photos. It gets away from the sexy but is definitely edgy and it's actually practical and wearable. Could do over skinnies too like really high leg warmers.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Gryffin, ohh, I like that idea! Thank you.
Growing up, this sister was the princess. When Mom made us dresses, I got blue or purple & she got pink. In college she was a girlie prepster. Since then she has become much more “rustic”—they used to camp a lot, she likes fly fishing and they have a cabin up in the mountains. A cozy tunic sweater would be a great counterpart to the thigh highs. It would also work well with her body, which is very straight. I’m picturing a rich cream color, am also wondering what she could wear on her bottom half around the house/cabin that isn’t going to cover up the top of the socks. That would be an issue with pants/leggings/tights. Crochet shorts, like for the beach?

gryffin

Veteran

Something like this is what I was thinking of. Yes this plays right into the rustic cabin motif look at Peruvian connection, Sundance catalog. Even gorsuch catalog for ideas.

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Stagiaire Fash

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Thanks. Leg warmers (Stulpen) are widely available here. Nice to have a tie-in to my life.

Anonymous

This question had me stuck and unable to respond for multiple reasons, none of which were being presented for opinion.

Gryffin, thank you for the excellent demonstration of how to stay on subject and answer the question rather than try to change it. With a really good answer!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Phoebe, it’s a tricky question, because it’s about personal attire, but I think we all know the kinda of looks I’m trying to avoid. Thanks for waiting and not chiming in just to inform us you weren’t commenting. And yes, I appreciate Gryffin’s ability to get past those things.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How about something like this with a boxy sweater dress, and just a slither of skin when the person strides. More when seated. An outfit with lots of cosy textural interest too. I have a 4ft 9 friend who wears this look well.

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Stagiaire Fash

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Angie, that ruching/slouchiness at the top is great. Do you have a link? I like the sweater dress idea too.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I said originally that I didn’t want to use this site, but these might actually work.
Maybe the cream or olive with a pleated dress? https://www.nordstromrack.com/.....eid=427960

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Here is the link. Free People and Anthropolgie do that look well:

https://www.freepeople.com/sho.....ntryCode=U

DonnaF

Veteran

These Bogs indoor/outdoor slippers come in several colorways and might go with your look. They have a bit of arch support.

Bogs B-Moc Faux Fur Indoor/Outdoor Slipper

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Stagiaire Fash

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Donna, thanks, but I don’t think footwear is in the budget.

Angie, thanks you—that sounds so much better than trying to cobble looks together myself!

ETA, struck out at the Rack. Free People is above budget, didn’t find anything on sale either. Heading over to Sundance, because I know they have a good outlet site. Might wind up back at the cobblers bench, trying to pair something ftt try on Uniqlo with some of the socks I posted earlier.

Gigi

Veteran

One thing I used to wear that always got compliments was a pair of patterned footless tights (see find) with a pair of OTK socks on top (solid color, same color as the tights). My skirt was a corduroy miniskirt from Free People. It was a slight A-line, so it wasn't tightly fitted, and since I am short, it hit me a little lower than on the model. I think that the OTK socks have enough va-va-voom that keeping whatever bottom you're wearing a little loose fitting would help keep the outfit tasteful.

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Gigi

Veteran

Oh, for shoes I think I just wore some black booties with a low heel. So again, same color as the socks.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Gigi, thanks for the description and visuals.

rachylou

Veteran

Wow. All of these are perfect. I like the idea of an a-line with the socks. I saw an older lady doing it and it was fierce with boots. Stockings or leggings under for upper leg warmth is smart.

I was personally thinking I might do an outfit with corduroy short pants et al... of course I work in a bakery and can punk out...

rachylou

Veteran

Also: Phoebe, I love what you said. I love the art of communication, enough to major in it. I think you’re spot on.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Looking at my price range now, having struck out with pricier things that were reduced to my range.

This Bordeaux/brown fair isle could work with fairly simple otk socks or maybe these olive patterned ones. Or I could hope that the burgundy color in the slouchy ones in Angie’s find come back in stock. https://www.loft.com/fair-isle.....Color=6657

How would this “read” without the belt? Soft and casual enough to be loungewear, or are the sleeves too much? Repeating the pic of the black/white/red otk socks to see if the pattern mix would work. The description on the website says they’re actually black/white, but come off looking like grey. https://www.target.com/p/women.....nk=sametab

RL, wait, what? You help me compose a post and then say it’s hard to handle?

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