Who knew that footwear would create such a stir? I was a little surprised to hear that people felt so passionately about their Crocs. More specifically, they were passionate about how to wear them and what not to wear with them! Intrigued by this footwear phenomenon, I scoured the internet for answers.
What’s the verdict? Are Crocs meant to be worn with socks? They can be, and it’s completely up to the wearer. Crocs have a roomy toe box and easy-on style that can readily accommodate socks of various thicknesses. They’re also perfectly wearable and comfortable without socks.
Even with that inclusive answer that should please everyone, the debate rages on. In my research into this strange but gripping topic, I discovered some interesting things about Crocs, the people who wear them, and why this debate even matters.
Are Crocs Meant to Be Worn with Socks?
It seems so strange to see such an uproar over shoes, but this debate has been thundering on since around 2007. According to Robin Givhan of the Washington Post, Crocs aren’t chic. Then-President George W. Bush had inadvertently committed a massive fashion faux-pas.
What was his crime against humanity? Why, he wore socks with his Crocs, of course?
I know. I gasped and fanned myself, too. But let’s try to regain our composure as we dig deeper into the Croc and Sock Mystery Hour.
On one side of the debate, we have those like Givhan who insist that Crocs should never be worn with socks. Why? Because it looks dumb.
On the other side, we have people who insist that comfort should reign supreme. They say that socks are totally okay if you feel like it. Even CBS News got in on it.
Let’s take a look at both sides.
Never Wear Socks with Your Crocs!
By far, the biggest reason given for not wearing socks with your Crocs is that it makes you look like an old man. Fair enough. I can see why a young woman might not want to look like an old man, but what if you actually are an old man? Is it okay to wear socks with your Crocs then?
Nobody addresses that question, but that’s okay. The “No Socks” group has other reasons for their disdain.
Many people in the No Socks camp cite the fact that Crocs were developed for use on boats. The shoes are waterproof, slip-proof, and have holes in the top to help circulate air and let water drain out. The Anti-sock people say that wearing socks defeats the purpose.
Okay. I can get behind that; it does make sense to keep soggy socks out of your boat shoes. Yet, these are the same people who will then launch into a diatribe about fashion sense and how wearing socks with your Crocs shows that you have none.
Wear Socks with Your Crocs… But Only if You Want To!
In the other camp, we have the people who say you should be able to do whatever you want. After all, they’re your feet.
That’s not to say that the Pro-socks camp doesn’t understand fashion or care how they look. They have a completely different idea about its importance.
Most of the Pro-socks group seems to be more concerned about everyday comfort than fickle fashion sense. Shortly after Crocs became mainstream, they were snatched up by those who spend most of their time on their feet.
Nurses, baristas, landscapers, and anyone who stands or walks for a living understands how important it is to have comfortable shoes. Crocs were designed with comfort in mind, and it helps that they’re so easy to fit on just about any size foot. Why not add socks?
The Debate Continues Over A Decade Later.
Remember, this all seemed to start in 2007 with that piece admonishing President Bush’s fashion sense. During my research for this article, I came across an article from GQ written in 2017.
The feature mentions a lot of big names in Hollywood and the fashion scene unabashedly wearing Crocs in public. There are even several pictures of celebrities wearing Crocs with socks. Does this mean that GQ is finally turning to the dark and fuzzy side of the Croc Sock debate?
Not exactly. The author seems rather shocked that so many high-profile celebrities would be caught wearing Crocs in public, let alone Crocs with socks.
My question is: Why does it matter what’s on someone else’s feet?
I doubt I’m going to get to the bottom of the issue any time soon; it’s still a hot topic for those who care. For the rest of us, I’ve come up with some useful information on Crocs and how to wear them. Hopefully, without the ire of either side of the Great Croc Sock Debate.
How to Wear Crocs with Socks Fashionably.
Whether you fancy yourself a fashionista or you’re just a regular human like the rest of us, there are ways to wear Crocs with socks fashionably. Granted, what’s fashionable to one person may not be fashionable to the next, so just do what tickles you.
Keep It Long
Do me a favor. Run a quick image search for the phrase “wearing Crocs with socks” and see what you get. I found a gallery of middle-aged men in shorts wearing socks pulled up to their knees and Crocs of various colors.
Clearly, this isn’t going to win them any fashion awards. But I did notice quite a few websites pointing out celebrities wearing long pants and Crocs with socks.
That seems to be the secret to making this daring and comfy fashion choice work. Long pants.
Matching Colors
The Life and Style section of The Guardian provided this interesting quickie with pictures of celebrities wearing Crocs. While the piece doesn’t go into great detail about the good and bad points of each image, it’s clear to me what’s happening.
If you plan to wear socks with your Crocs, wear long pants, but don’t stop there. Make sure your pants match the color of your socks. The color of the Crocs is less important than the steady, continuous line of solid color from socks to pants.
Just Go for It
Maybe I’m just not that fashion-minded. I can throw on a pair of sweatpants and flip-flops and head to the store without worrying about what anyone thinks. I’m more about comfort and functionality than turning any heads.
When it comes to Crocs with socks, this Bustle author seemed to have the same idea. She wore Crocs for a week and made a nice photo journal of her experience. Please note, she’s totally killin’ it with the Crocs and socks method.
She’s not the only one. This article on Brit + Co features many women sporting Crocs. One, in particular, is making the Crocs N Socks look seem pretty slick.
And here’s a video showing the Crocs N Socks craze all the way over in Malaysia.
All of this just leads me to believe if you’re in the Pro-socks camp, just go for it. Don’t worry about what the Anti-sock people think!
What About Crocs and No-show Socks?
If you just can’t bring yourself to wear your Crocs with a regular pair of crew socks, never fear. There’s a solution for you too!
You can get the best of both worlds by slipping on a pair of no-show socks. They’ll be virtually invisible with your Crocs on, and you still reap the rewards of a comfortable pair of socks.
Best Socks for Crocs
By now, I’ve either convinced you that it’s okay to wear socks with your Crocs or you were already in that camp to begin with. Either way, you might be wondering what the best socks for Crocs are. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Women’s Cool and Dry Comfort Blend No Show socks
Hanes is a well-known and trusted brand of women’s socks and underwear. These socks are no exception. Soft cotton with a little-added spandex makes these socks mold to your feet flawlessly. A cushioned bottom adds extra comfort. They come in a variety of colors to match your Crocs.
Champion is another trusted brand. These are no-show socks for the sporty wearer. With moisture wicking and arch support, Champion no-show socks will feel great in any pair of Crocs.
Halfsox-the Original Classic Sling-back No Show Half Socks
Even the sneakiest no-show socks can often be seen when wearing Crocs. But what happens when you remove the back half of the sock? You get Halfsox! With a variety of colors to choose from, these socks will really blend in with your Crocs while your toes stay nice and cozy.
Yes, Crocs with Built-in Socks Exist, But Should They?
While I’m all for people wearing whatever is comfortable and makes them feel good, I’m not sure how I feel about Crocs with built-in socks. They’re supposedly for the sporty types.
The utilitarian and efficient part of me is impressed that these exist. However, I doubt that I would be caught dead wearing them. Maybe if they came with cute and quirky socks to really drive home the weird factor?
The fashionistas over at Elle Magazine did a feature on the Crocs with socks, and they seem as baffled as I am. In June of 2018, Cosmopolitan ran an article about them too.
I’m not one to judge. If you want to spend $150 on a pair of Crocs with socks, be my guest. Maybe you could write and tell me if they’re actually comfortable!
Related Questions
Is it OK to wear shoes without socks? Technically, yes, you can wear shoes without socks, but you need to be careful. Feet sweat. It’s a fact of life. Even small amounts of sweat can damage your shoes over time. Sweaty shoes are also the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
How to wear Crocs with jeans? The best way to wear Crocs with jeans is to choose a pair of socks that match the color of your Crocs. They will help blend in seamlessly so the eye is not drawn to contrasting colors peeking through the holes in the Crocs. Also, be sure your jeans are the correct length.