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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Socks with ballet flats?

Meredith

On recent trip to Europe I noticed a fashion trend I don't see much here in the Seattle area. Despite the freezing cold temperatures, I spotted many women wearing ballet flats. To stave off the cold, they wore socks with them--and not just plain socks that blended with their shoes. Striped, polka dotted, and checkered patterns decorated the tops of their feet right under their skinny jeans. At first I thought this was all a bit odd, but then I started to kind of like it. What do you think? Has my judgement been distorted, or should I try to wear my ballet flats with some interesting socks here in Seattle?

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from cjh

shannon

That's funny that you bring this up today. This morning I wanted to wear my skinnies, but I didn't want to wear heels in the dusting of snow we received last night. I thought about my ballet flats and pulled the box down, only to put it back thinking the tops of my feet would freeze. I never thought about wearing socks with them! I just might go hunting for cute little socks to pair with them now. Thanks for posting! I think you should definitely try that combo in Seattle. I'm going to try it here in Nebraska.

Kasmira

(website)

The problem I think I would have is that regular socks would be too thick! Maybe start with some subtly patterned trouser socks?

Nicole

Veteran

Hmmm it sounds littlegirlish to me.

I guess I'd have to see it a few times to get used to it. But then again, I'm still not digging the skinnies. They just look wrong on too many people.

Kyamba

Member

I agree with Nicole.

Dancingstar

I think that simple trouser socks matching the color of the flats are OK, even a subtle ton-on-tone pattern. But I do not like the look of brights and patterns, and I'm from Europe originally myself!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hear you on the look that you have described Meredith. This happens in the Netherlands too. I think that the look is sweet for children and teenagers but unstylish for ladies in their 30's and older. Try a trouser sock that’s nude for coloured ballet flats or sheer black for black ballet flats.

Of course, the ideal is to wear a closed shoe with socks when you are cold. Ballet flats look best without socks.

christie

Oh, I totally do this. I can be pretty tacky about it, too, depending on where I'm going. I like the argyle print socks from Jcrew. They are thin enough to wear with ballet flats and have a nice pizzaz. When I feel like being truly tacky, I wear those colored, argyle-print socks with my colored ballet flats: pink and brown tweed flats or my green flats with geese flying across. Love it!

Sarah

I've seen a girl at college do this thing with the bright socks and ballet flats, and she's the one I call "the queen of fads" because she's how I could tell what was in style before I discovered this wonderful blog. My voice teacher always encouraged me to copy her dress style, but it's just not me. Even if I had the money to buy a whole new wardrobe every season and follow every fad I wouldn't do it. I pick and chose what suits me and what I like. That's why I fall under artsy-eclectic.

Lovelee79

Member

I have to admit that I've done this. Of course I typically only wear my flats with bare feet, but on a recent trip to NYC, it wasn't snowing but it was seriously chilly out and I definitely couldn't run around the city shopping in sneakers (the horror!), so I put on a basic pair of black leather flats. Well, the cold pavement made me feel as though I had no shoes on at all, so I dashed into a little boutique and purchased a pair of thin (but warm) argyle print socks and threw them on with my flats (I was wearing a straight leg jean). So, for me it proved to be functional and fashionable....and I can't say that I wouldn't do it again.

martyc

(website)

Member

I've done this and think it's adorable. But I'm more likely to wear something that isn't an accepted trend yet. I was rolling up my jeans about six months before anyone else in Seattle b/c I saw it on Sex in the City and loved it. I've done the short sox, ballet flats and leggings too. I have to admit this made me feel too much like a ballet dancer. But cute, thin socks with ballet flats, I say 'for sure!'

Jo

Member

In Norway you can see this everywhere, but not only with thin cotton socks, but thick woollen socks. Personally, I love this look, but I don't think "old" women (yes, I think most of you here are "old"...) can sport the look.

Nicole

Veteran

Hey Angie....what relevance does fashion in other countries affect what is fashionable in the US? What countries tend to be the trend setters, and when does something make it's way to the US?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is a very interesting question Nicole. Certain looks become completely acceptable in some countries and not in others. The fashion capitals of the world remain the same and it is in these countries that trends are set:

o Paris
o London
o Milan
o New York
o Hong Kong (the new comer)

America is regarded as a trendsetting country because of NYC. Trends are usually worldwide, but subtle differences will occur between different continents because of cultural preferences and regional differences. This was displayed well this winter season when European retailers were full of winter skirts while American retailers were not. America is more denim driven.

And speaking of this open shoe and sock trend, my brother and father still wear thick socks with their sandals and shorts in Summer if I don’t stop them because there are enough people in Europe doing it. But this doesn’t necessarily make it a stylish thing to do!

Josie

(website)

On my last trip to Europe I saw the sock/ballet flat look as well. I decided not to share the trend with my readers because it's a bit too iffy to pull off. I couldn't decide myself if I liked the look and I haven't tried it. On a young, skinny French girl just about anything looks great so it worked on the European girls I saw wearing the look... but I think a lot would get lost in translation if you wore the look here.

Aurore

Veteran

I sometimes cross path with girls / ladies wearing socks with ballets flats, and even socks with pumps, in my corner of France. I personnally don't like it (remind me of a school uniform!) and it is not very widespread but it does seem to be in.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

It sounds fine to me. I wear colorful and patterned socks with my Converse tennis shoes, which is something I didn't think I would do until I saw some (young) ladies wearing them that way. Not weird after all.