Socks and cropped pants: what is going on here?

catgirl

Is this a new look? I am not sure what to make of it. The overall effect is making me want to take Benadryl, but I want to know more. Anyone want to break it down, either in defense or to prosecute? I'm sending out a distress call to Anna!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/n2.....ordsearch-...

10 years ago

Dressing

37 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

JAileen

Veteran

This is how I look when I go hiking!

10 years ago

Cerinda

Veteran

After norm core, what else could we expect?

10 years ago

Anonymous

Urkel is back!

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10 years ago

viva

Veteran

Not a fan. But, on the other hand, I just ordered a pair of sheer black Swiss dot ankle socks to wear with my black oxfords, and I might possibly try those with my cropped jeans. It's a much more delicate look than what you have here and it's mostly a practical experiment but we shall see.

10 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

They're messing with our heads.

10 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Not to mention what looks like giant rubber clog oxfords with them.

I do have in mind trying longer hosiery with cropped pants to see if they can last a bit longer into the cold weather, but I was thinking of sheer knee high as per Angie or maybe very low key knee socks (could be a little too roller girl, though)

10 years ago

BethT

Active Member

I think this is one of those looks that (and I *hate* to be an ageist) is nerdy, hipster cool on young folks, but is frumpier on an older person.

I'm sure it's all about the styling and memories of my grandma often wearing socks (although not quite this high) with her "shorts", which were really culottes.

But my inner nerd kinda likes it...in a nerdy Urkel sorta way.

10 years ago

Anonymous

If I wore something like that, my college-aged DDs would have a lot to say about it. Let's just say it would look quite frumpy on me.

10 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Not a fan, personally, but I'm sure that the right person with the right attitude could style this and make it work. That person is not me, though. There is a distinct grandpa clown vibe, between the visible black socks and the light edge around the sole of the shoe.

10 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

Look at the price of those culottes!
I think they would not be too bad with ankle socks but the pictured outfit is a tough one to pull through.

10 years ago

Windchime

Veteran

LOL at Joy's observation.

I would never have the confidence to pull this off successfully. I am seeing a lot of socks this season, especially on high school girls. They wear them with skirts, shorts, you name it.

10 years ago

Murph11

Veteran

Graduate-level dressing, for sure! I'll stick to 101 outfits.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes. A very, very, very fringe trend. Very Harajuku (so "normal" for that neck of the woods who have been sporting the vibe forever). The look has been on the runways for a while.

Personally, I think it looks a bit juvenile with the flat oxfords because it reminds me of how I dressed as a child in the '70s, when you wore socks with everything. I like the socked mary jane and heeled sandal vibe a lot more because it looks grown up.

10 years ago

Gail

Veteran

I'm with alaskagirl except I may need something stronger than a Benadryl!

10 years ago

always trying

Veteran

idea for a Halloween costume! there are some nice ideal and looks around for wearing socks. This is not one of them.

10 years ago

Diana

Veteran

So. I don't like it in the photo you linked here. (I don't like those particular socks, or the culottes.) However, I've seen it done well, and interestingly, elsewhere, I think Anna has done it and I liked it.

That said, I used to wear socks+flat oxfords with dresses and skirts. I still like the look but if we're being honest it made me look about 12. Since this is a perennial issue for me ( nobody thinks I'm my age, which while not always bad, is a big issue in terms of my professional life) I don't think I'll be revisiting the look. But I can see it working on people who look more sophisticated.

ETA: I see Angie mentioned the juvenile thing too. I agree, the look with heeled sandals is fun. I can't personally do it because I don't wear heels... But maybe just for fun I'll try it with my platform sandals. No guarantee I'll wear it out though!

10 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Yes, here's Anna's rendition (hope she doesn't mind my posting this):
http://noscrubs.lookfab.com/po.....er-hipster

I like it. for me, the difference is that her culottes are wide and dramatic and I think they're a nice contrast with the delicate shoes and socks.

10 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Anna's version is great. I guess it's one of those "the devil's in the details" sort of things.

10 years ago

Susie

Veteran

For me, this look falls into that category of something I would feel a need to explain as "fashionable" to 99% of the people who would see me, starting with my husband...while knowing that to them it's simply weird and unflattering. That's not me and not how I want my wardrobe to work.

10 years ago

Dana

(website)

Veteran

Okay, that outfit is just ugly!! Those culottes look like they were pulled out of someone's giveaway pile from the '70's. And then those socks and shoes? I hope this isn't the direction Nordstrom is moving in!

10 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

It reminds me a little of something Tavi Gevinson would have worn back in her gray-haired tween days.

10 years ago

Nebraskim

Veteran

Frumptastic to my eye. There's a retired English prof here who I see occasionally and this is exactly how she dresses, without any sense of irony. She wears sunbonnets (think Little House on the Prairie) under her bike helmet. She is an unrepentant hippie, who is now in her 70s and just does not care what anyone thinks. She is a longstanding anti death penalty activist and I often think that if she weren't so cartoonish, she would be more respected. She is brilliant, compassionate and big hearted but is dismissed due to her outlandish looks.

10 years ago

AviaMariah

Veteran

I think it's horrid but I'm probably just not fashion forward enough. I would look like Urkel. Anna would probably look edgy and fashionable.

10 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks for the link to Anna's pictures. I knew I'd seen it done better! I just feel like the whole combination in the Nordstrom photo is triggering some kind of poison eye, and I'm trying to figure out exactly what - or if it's the whole look.

ETA: So when I cover half the outfit, I actually like the top by itself and the bottom by itself, even with the socks and shoes, but together they bother me. Maybe it's just too much look for me...

10 years ago

Susie

Veteran

There are several things that make this just plain unattractive to my eye...the fabric of the culottes looks cheap and the socks remind me of old man dress socks. And the shoes look a bit clown like. Sorry, I can't find one good thing to say about this look!

10 years ago

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I can only imagine what Angie would say if I wore that outfit. I don't think this would work on my height and body type. Hah!

10 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Susie, you are right! This particular denim is reminding me of the men's Wranglers I see around here. Seeing them in a high end look is like seeing a dress made out of oil rags - something functional but out of place. Why does that bother me?

10 years ago

Anonymous

It sure seems like a waste of good fabric to me. Pretty goofy looking!

10 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Hmm this outfit doesn't really bother me. It looks entirely purposeful when you look at the whole outfit together instead of just the bottom half.

10 years ago

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