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The Rationale for Scarlet Socks

Benjamin Chee HH

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Now it just so happened the other day that a lady friend was asking why I frequently wore scarlet socks. Having no idea whatsoever as to the historical origins or basis, if any, I thought up a quaint story on the spot - along the lines of how they symbolised the bloodshed resulting from lawyers utterly annihilating their adversaries in court and trampling their enemies in battle {yours truly shall soon join their esteemed legal ranks}.

Now, as romantic as this little story sounds, is there an actual basis for donning scarlet socks? I must admit I picked up the habit when, wafting round St James's, I noticed that otherwise fusty, conservatively-dressed {the navy chalkstripe DB set, essentially} elderly gentlemen would have on dashing red hosiery.

Thought, please, gents!

First thread by the way, so a pleasure indeed to meet all you chaps. As a short introduction, I am a humble student presently enjoying all the trappings that living in Londinium brings {were it only not the 21st Century!}.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all...
 

literasyme

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I believe the English knack for colourful socks has its origins in the relatively regimented dress codes of public schools and universities, which left little room for expressions of personality. Socks, as far as I know, weren't regulated. For instance, Oxford academic dress is a gown and subfusc -- black or dark grey trousers and jacket, white shirt, white tie; but the socks are a free for all. There's some story about a dispute about yellow stockings that I sadly can't recall properly anymore...

There's also the episode in Adrian Mole where he wears red socks to impress his crush-with-radical-leanings, Pandora, and gets in trouble for it. Same thing.
 

Metlin

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Originally Posted by literasyme
There's some story about a dispute about yellow stockings that I sadly can't recall properly anymore...

I do believe the wonderful Ms. Maria had something to do with that, no?
 

Benjamin Chee HH

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But why specifically scarlet socks? Seems to be the most common colour, and tends rather stand out against the conservative City uniform. From my experience in uniform, I don't know of any regimental colours that comprises solely of solid red.
 

LeonM

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I get my red socks from Gamarelli's.

Leon
 

aldica

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Many years ago (longer than I am wanting to admit), I knew a gentleman who called himself, "Red Shoes Dugan." Needless to say, he wore red shoes, which he actually dyed or painted red. This was his "moniker," and trademark, by which he was known. I like interesting socks. I think they make the difference between an artistically-dressed man, versus one who simply bows to traditional dress. I encourage you to keep your scarlet socks, and to tell whatever stories you choose to justify them. It will, I predict, serve you well.

However, you will ruin the entire effect if you are calling attention to your feet and don't: 1) keep your trousers pressed; 2) have an appropriate size cuff on your suit; 3) make sure your socks do not fall; 4) MAINTAIN YOUR SHOES!
 

Benjamin Chee HH

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Actually I think the gulf between red shoes and red socks is quite a large one. While red socks are seen only intermittently, not dissimilar to red Louboutin soles {as hackneyed as those now are}, red shoes stray over to the costume end of the style spectrum. Perhaps burgundy, or ideally, oxblood, is as far as I would go to still qualify as being stylishly dressed.

I agree, I find that the three aspects of my dress that garner the most compliments from women is - 1) my suit/jacket, 2) my pocket square, and 3) my scarlet or mandarin socks. However, I face the dilemma of dressing for court and legal work in the near future, and I'm not sure whether such flamboyant hosiery is de trop in these circles.

Opinions?
 

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