"When you meet a stranger, look at his shoes."Michael Stipe

At lunch today, I asked my friends what really annoys them regarding fashion. I was trying to get inspiration for this blog and the conversation went something like this:

Jamie: Guys, what do you hate seeing people do here regarding fashion mistakes?
Meg: like, people who tuck there jeans into boots...
Jamie: Well, I do that Meg.
Meg: No, like Flared jeans, you wear skinny jeans in boots and it looks ok. Plus, your boots don't have fur on them....
Susan: What about people wearing brown and black?
Jamie: I think I've already done that one.
Jess: I don't like it when people wear floods, or socks with sandals.
Everyone: (in disgust) SOCKS WITH SANDALS!

So, it was settled. This post will be about socks and sandals and how it makes my skin crawl whenever I see this fashion faux pas. Picture, if you will, a beach. Royal blue water spanned out against the horizon, white sand buried beneath an array of beach blankets and umbrellas, the smell of SPF45 sunscreen, and the voices of happy-go-lucky beach-goers. But then, behind your over sized sunglasses you spot something, no....someone out of place. An older gentleman with no shirt, swim trunks, and OH NO...black socks with sandals. Your beach experience has been ruined as you fixate on the man who seemingly does not know he has broken one the most crucial mistakes of fashion.

Why do people wear socks and sandals? To me, when it is too hot to wear socks, I wear flip flops. When it is too cold to go without socks, I don't wear flip flops. Flip flops were not designed for socks. Not even sandals like Birkenstocks. The most common response, or protest that I hear whenever I catch someone wearing socks and sandals is : "I was in a rush!" while flip flops and sandals are convenient, and can be slipped on in less than 2.5 seconds, the time it takes to put on socks is greater. So...don't wear socks if you are running late, and know that you will most likely wear sandals.

There is a website, a British website, www.sandalandsoxer.co.uk/home.htm dedicated specifically to men who wear sandals and socks. It is hilarious and gross and I am still struggling to figure out why it was even created. The point is, a lot of people know that socks and sandals just doesn't look right, but they continue to do it because they don't take the time to care...Or they are old men on the beach whose purpose is to wear socks and sandals to ruin your beach experience. I'm not bitter, really...