# Why is it that people hate sandals with socks? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 22, 2018, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214 "2018-01-22T15:23:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/41 "2018-01-23T14:45:40Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Hey, it’s a free country, but I’ll judge you a little. you say that as though it’s supposed to mean something to anyone else. a nice life tip I heard from someone: “Nobody is thinking about you as much as you think they are.” ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/42 "2018-01-23T14:51:45Z")
The OP asked why people hate socks with sandals and whether people pay attention to others’ feet. I think we’re allowed to say what we think, without thinking the other person should give two shits what we think. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/43 "2018-01-23T15:18:58Z")
I see it; I don’t care. As for why it bothers people I always wrote it off to socks being a sort of underwear and strangers showing us their underwear to be generally rude or strange. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/44 "2018-01-23T15:30:25Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > [snip] > > Socks with sandals was one of the first shots in the Let’s Dress Terribly revolution. Agreed. I recall it being called “bag lady chic,” and I tried googling it. One example I found was [this](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2017/08/04/mary-kate-olsen-style-photos_n_3428230.html): > [@](#): > > People magazine generously labeled it “boho chic,”, and The New York Times wrote that she boasted “bag lady” style. Many observed that the millionaire looked straight-up homeless. > [@BeenJammin](#): > > Just recognize that some people are mature and self-confident enough to give exactly zero shits about what you or anyone else thinks of them. I’m not knocking you personally, because I don’t know you, but I find it interesting that so many people say this sort of thing. If that were truly the case, that people don’t care what others think, there wouldn’t be any fashion industry. People wouldn’t be followers, and there would be no trends. People follow fashion (be it clothing, political opinions, car accessories, language, food, etc.) because they do care what other think. Of course, that’s not the only reason, but it’s silly to think that _no one_ ever cares about what others think, regardless of how often they say it. People may not care about a particular thing, but on the whole, people care very much about what others think of them. That’s why they show off (buying a muscle car, or Harley, or bragging about being first in line to see the latest movie, or buying the newest fad, wearing the latest hairstyle). Anyone who says they don’t care at all what others think is deluding themselves. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/45 "2018-01-23T15:30:27Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > Just recognize that some people are mature and self-confident enough to give exactly zero shits about what you or anyone else thinks of them. I would assume that in some cases, that’s true. I’d assume it is also true of people who know how to dress and look good. Good for those folks. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/46 "2018-01-23T15:57:28Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Probably the same reason they hate mullets, short shorts on men, Nehru jackets and any other tacky fashion, it’s ugly. > > 🙂 If you saw my feet in sandels, you’d buy me socks. GaryM ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/47 "2018-01-23T16:01:00Z")
I’ve always wondered if socks with moccasins is a sin or not as well.Still very comfortable,and the prevent the mocs from getting stinky quite as quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/48 "2018-01-23T19:26:46Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > Just recognize that some people are mature and self-confident enough to give exactly zero shits about what you or anyone else thinks of them. This presumptuous judgyness is precisely what establishes one of the biggest problem with American society today: It’s the root of intolerance and bigotry. > > Some seem to believe they are just too well-heeled to see the different shades of egoistic attitudes. > > What is WRONG with THOSE people? Well, I think that some people are so oblivious that they have become a blight upon the public peoplescape. It’s part of the self-righteous slovening of the entire American psyche. And all in the name of “self-confidence”? What a crock of baloney. “I’m a disgusting slob without the grace or respect for others that God gave a cockroach, and I am SO proud of it.” There’s maturity for you. Also? Get off my damn lawn. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/49 "2018-01-23T23:08:50Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Well, I think that some people are so oblivious… I think some people are so smugly conceited they take pleasure in looking down their nose at others for no reason other than their own holier-than-thou attitude. …then enjoy boastfully discussing it on Internet messageboards like the pompous a-holes they are. 😛 Everyone who has a problem with people wearing socks with sandals raise your hands, now! :rolleyes: We’ll be off to the Pit any moment now… ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/50 "2018-01-23T23:11:20Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > …people are so oblivious that they have become a blight upon the public peoplescape. I seriously doubt you have EVER seen or experienced a truly “blighted peoplecape.” You would have a different view on your little pet peoplescape concept, were that not the case. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/51 "2018-01-24T00:40:37Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > We have cultural norms for reasons. An average person gets hundreds of clues in a few seconds about a stranger simply from what they are wearing and how they are wearing it; about their class, subculture, age, marital status, profession, personality, and many other subtle things. > > For example, if I saw a guy with brown sandals and white socks, because it is rather unusual I’d look again, and evaluate whether he was an old retired geezer who either lost his wife or never listens to her, a clueless young nerd with zero fashion sense, or some other smaller category I am not familiar with. > > Most women will prevent their guy from wearing truly stupid-looking clothes in public if they can. Some can’t, of course. Just because we have reasons for cultural norms does not mean that they are good reasons. Of course, it’s also wrong to assume that your cultural norms apply across all cultures (or subcultures). ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/52 "2018-01-24T00:46:29Z")
I wear socks with sandals about half the time. Sometimes the socks actually match. Why? My feet sweat so it prevents stinky sandals and if I’m out without wife or kids I’m not out to impress or prevent embarrassment to anyone. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/53 "2018-01-24T01:10:32Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > I seriously doubt you have EVER seen or experienced a truly “blighted peoplecape.” [![](https://cgelves.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/GarmentFile_Cape_tornv1_5_Marvelous-Designer-Garments.jpg) ](https://cgelves.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/GarmentFile_Cape_tornv1_5_Marvelous-Designer-Garments.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/54 "2018-01-24T01:28:37Z")
My goodness, who would have thought something as innocuous as socks and sandals could be so divisive? I personally think it isn’t the most attractive look, but it isn’t my feet and nobody is making me wear it. I do believe dressing well is important and enjoy very much the eye candy of a room full of stylish people in well-made well-fitted clothes, but that just isn’t the reality we live in anymore, for many reasons. That’s why I watch old movies. ---
**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/55 "2018-01-24T01:29:39Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > [https://cgelves.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/GarmentFile\_Cape\_tornv1\_5\_Marvelous-Designer-Garments.jpg](https://cgelves.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/GarmentFile_Cape_tornv1_5_Marvelous-Designer-Garments.jpg) Yeah, I’d say that is a seriously blighted people-cape. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/56 "2018-01-24T01:33:56Z")
> [@Grumbacher\_Red](#): > > My goodness, who would have thought something as innocuous as socks and sandals could be so divisive? The ones who recognize blatant self-centered narcissistic stupidity when they read it. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/57 "2018-01-24T02:28:07Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Well, I think that some people are so oblivious that they have become a blight upon the public peoplescape. It’s part of the self-righteous slovening of the entire American psyche. And all in the name of “self-confidence”? What a crock of baloney. “I’m a disgusting slob without the grace or respect for others that God gave a cockroach, and I am SO proud of it.” There’s maturity for you. > > Also? Get off my damn lawn. My slovenly coworker who wears sandals with socks (in the winter) is a retired teacher who does our books and administers a program that aids non-profit organizations, primarily involved with the homeless and elderly. He also wears cargo pants. As for “blight upon the public peoplescape”, what the hell does that even mean? Is that a thing? ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/58 "2018-01-24T02:39:01Z")
> [@Wolf333](#): > > My slovenly coworker who wears sandals with socks (in the winter) is a retired teacher who does our books and administers a program that aids non-profit organizations, primarily involved with the homeless and elderly. He also wears cargo pants. > > As for “blight upon the public peoplescape”, what the hell does that even mean? Is that a thing? Just because someone is a poor dresser doesn’t make them a bad or good human being. Those are separate. I was just bemoaning the lack of pride in personal aesthetics now popular. No, it isn’t as important as most other things. But it isn’t nothing either. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/59 "2018-01-24T02:40:16Z")
> [@Wolf333](#): > > Just because we have reasons for cultural norms does not mean that they are good reasons. Of course, it’s also wrong to assume that your cultural norms apply across all cultures (or subcultures). Never said they did. ---
**Author:** ![MacLir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@MacLir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacLir)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214/60 "2018-01-24T22:38:02Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > Socks with flip-flops is my thing. 🙂 Unless they’re tabi socks, that would be excruciatingly uncomfortable. :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-people-hate-sandals-with-socks/807214.md?page=4)