I don’t think I’ve ever worn any color socks but white while dressing casually. Is this just apparent to everyone else? 
Well, Quonk, men’s casual socks only come in a few colors, mostly white or gray. For less casual dress, one should match sock color to trouser color as much as possible. (No white socks with suits unless you’re on Fantasy Island, in other words. And even then they should be white dress socks.)
Women tend to get all gung-ho about casual socks matching everything else because our casual socks come in a rainbow of colors, and if you don’t match up, then you’re just not trying.
Do whatever you like. If you want fashion advice though…
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There is only one time when one should wear white socks: When wearing white tennis shoes, and playing tennis.
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Never, under any circumstances, wear socks, when wearing shorts. Failing to abide this rule will make you look like a German Tourist, which are the only species on this planet, more despicable than the Ugly American Tourist™. There is only one exception: If you’re wearing hiking boots.
I do it all the time. White socks are about the only color I own. I don’t care if the fashion police approve or not. I have a sexy wife at home already…I don’t need to preen to get the females to pay attention to me.
Socks should match shoes, which in turn, match the outfit.
I vote for short black socks.
White socks and black shoes is great if you want to look like Michael Jackson, circa 1988.
These people telling you not to are nuts. White socks are perfectly acceptable for casual wear with sneakers. They shouldn’t be knee socks (that would make you look silly anyway, why would you even own them?), but white socks will be just fine.
In fact, I’ll go so far as to say I don’t know anyone who wears anything BUT white socks when wearing sneakers.
Word up, Evil One and Neurotik!
Personally I would laugh my ass off if I saw anyone wearing anything BUT (short) white socks with shorts and sneakers.
Yeah, you pretty much have to wear white socks with sneakers if we’re talking casual, no matter what pants you’re accompanying them with. But if we’re talking non-casual and black pants, make sure you wear a dark colour, preferably black. But there’s nothing wrong with wearing white socks with those, and I’d recommend it.
I’d wear one black shoe with a white sock & one white shoe with a black sock. Black pants, black/white striped shirt & black checkered tie. the fashion police would be too confused to say anything.
Definitely yes. It’ll look good even. Because of the white stripe in the shoes.
Just make sure that:
- the socks are short,
- the shirt/shorts are white.
sigh
Doesn’t even matter if the shirt or shorts or white. White is the default casual sock color.
If you are going to be wearing an outfit that would be inappropriate with white socks (slacks or something) then you shouldn’t be wearing the sneakers. But with shorts and sneakers, white socks are the default no matter what color the shorts or shirt is.
[ul]You can do whatever you’re little heart desires. 
[sup]and we won’t laugh too loud.[/sup][/ul]
I can’t even believe that anyone would question the propriety of white socks with sneakers. It’s the standard. Dark socks with shorts doesn’t look right, unless they’re the really short ones, in which case they are obviously athletic socks, no matter the color. For proof, just look at how many pairs of white socks you see at stores. Obviously, there is more demand for white socks than just people with light colored shoes. As a matter of fact, for athletic socks, white is far and away the most popular color.
Also, with casual wear, the point is not to worry about the matching the shorts to the shoes and socks. Everything should go with anything else. White socks go with any sneakers and any casual shorts. Period.
Which falls under the law “Don’t EVER ware hiking boots unless you are A) hiking/hunting/fishing/working ect B) gay {this is not meant to be insulting, or C) European, or any mixture of the three. Also under no circumstance can you ever wear shorts with hiking boots unless you are a boyscout or a gay european fisherman.”
[Guy with Richard Simmons voice fluttering in] Come on people, high top tennies and shorts? How gauche. Going to play a little B-ball with the boys is fine but around the country club, never. A tan or white deck shoe without socks would look nice or a white low cup tennis sneaker with with white anklets. If you have good looking legs a pair of running shoes is appropriate. If you have ugly legs puuuulllleaase cover them up. And guy with hairy legs, eeewwweee. And shorts that show a little rump, oooh, it get all excited. [guy with Richard Simmons voice flutters away]
so how come the blues brothers look good with there white socks and black shoes and suits but when i do it i look like a geek (if my wife was here she would say that i look like a geek anyway). DAMN THOSE BLUES BROTHERS!
I seriously thought no one had worn white socks since circa 1992. Didn’t it die out with hard hair and high heels (women), highlights and 501’s (men)?
No, no, no. White socks are default with athletic shoes, no matter the color of the shoes. There is white in the shoes, so don’t even bother making sure your shirt matches. Black socks are to be worn with dress shoes, so you should never wear them with athletic shoes. Oh yes, and any socks taller than your ankles are currently a fashion faux pas.
:flaunts her DKNY-jean-wearing-Prada-purse-carrying self out the door:
I agree, and I also think that’s prolly the best from an economical standpoint as well. (If your audience can’t see them, you can wear them with anything.)
“I seriously thought no one had worn white socks since circa 1992”
If ya only have white socks, you don’t have to spend time matching socks.