The loafer is a must have shoe for both men and women but you may be wondering whether to wear socks with them or not? We’re here to assure you that wearing socks with your loafers isn’t a fashion faux pas and has many stylish and practical benefits. Let’s learn more!
Should You Wear Socks with Loafers?
Simply put, your feet sweat a lot, and when you wear any type of closed toe shoe without socks, they become the perfect warm, dark and damp environment for bacteria growth which can lead to Athlete’s foot and other fungal funkiness. The growth of bacteria is also what causes shoes to develop an unpleasant smell. For this reason alone we highly recommend wearing socks with your loafers with socks women.
Wearing socks promotes healthy dry feet and helps prevent blisters, likely making your loafers even more comfortable to wear. Sweat and excess moisture is also not good for your shoes, especially leather which is why it’s best not to wear the same shoes every day so they have a chance to dry properly in between wears. Socks are better for your feet and your shoes.
If you absolutely insist on going sock-less, it’s going to take some extra hygiene for both your feet and your shoes. You’ll want to use some sort of antiperspirant anti-fungal powder on your feet and your shoes and you absolutely will need to let your feet dry completely before putting on shoes. Remember, even the cleanest foot is still going to be prone to sweat, bacteria and odors.
How to Style Loafers with Socks
The easiest way to enjoy the “sock-less” look is to simply wear no-show socks. They’re a great way to protect your shoes and avoid sweaty feet. If you opt to show off your socks, remember they’ll be more exposed and therefore visible than with other shoes, so choose a pair that complements the rest of your outfit. Solid and subtle colors are the easiest to pull off, but patterned socks aren’t out of the question, they just require more thought.
For the gents, if you desire a spiffy, more conservative or old-fashioned look, match the color of your socks to your loafers. For more casual events you can express yourself with brighter colors and prints. Argyle socks can provide a nice classy look for loafers and for dressy loafers like penny, pump and hazels you should opt for dress socks.
Ladies can follow the same logic as men’s socks and loafers: make your socks the statement piece, or match them with a hue in your outfit (think darker or muted colors like maroon, emerald or moss green, plum, and navy). You can also go all out with creative colors and patterns as well. Thin white socks folded over and fishnet or sheer socks can also spice up your outfit, as well as ribbed-velvet, sparkly/metallic and floral-printed socks.
Loafers have not only been around for a long time, but they’ll never go out of style. They should definitely have a place in your wardrobe. Shop our Women’s Loafers here.