White or Black Socks With Black Shoes
Black socks w/ Tennis Shoes??
May 23rd, 2005, 06:54 AM
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Black socks w/ Tennis Shoes??
I have been told by someone who recently returned from Ireland that you don't wear white socks with tennis shoes, but rather black socks - even with shorts. I have been to England and Europe numerous times and don't remember ever seeing or hearing this. We are going to Scotland in a couple weeks and my husband was planning on bringing white socks to wear with his very "American" white tennis shoes. Any comments?
May 23rd, 2005, 07:02 AM
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Hi J,
Any nerd can wear white socks with tennies. You have to be a real dolt to wear black socks. 
May 23rd, 2005, 07:02 AM
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My dear, unless you're playing tennis, you don't wear tennis shoes full stop.
As for white socks, they should never, ever be worn with anything, unless it's a fetish then, in which case please confine it to the privacy of somewhere where nobody else will see.
I think your husband needs an entire new wardrobe.
May 23rd, 2005, 07:12 AM
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I actually went sock-shopping for the first time in years yesterday. And yes, apparently, black socks with athletic shoes is a happening thing in certain circles. You simply could not pay me enough money to wear them, but...to each his own.
I've always been partial to gray socks with that type of footwear. But no one has ever accused me of being fashionable.
May 23rd, 2005, 07:14 AM
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Specific sports shoes should be worn for the purpose that they're intended for. All white shoes are the height of naffness, and when coupled with any form of sock, the effect increases exponentially.
Please wear some real shoes.
May 23rd, 2005, 07:19 AM
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"Any nerd can wear white socks with tennies. You have to be a real dolt to wear black socks."
Would that apply also to someone like Andre Agassi?
May 23rd, 2005, 07:20 AM
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If this isn't a troll post it really ought to be. The only "naff" thing about this IMO is the fact that the subject was broached in the first place.
May 23rd, 2005, 07:24 AM
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I've been trying to ignore and keep out of the what to wear, where, posts so far - but just have to say, what does it matter! If by "tennis shoes", you mean soft white leather or canvas lace ups, well yes, I have a pair and wear them with white socks, in the UK and on holiday. If that makes me a nerd, so be it - they are comfortable for walking round in casual pants and I don't care!
I don't judge others by what they are wearing or what colour socks they have on and if they judge me, then I'd rather not know them anyway. 
May 23rd, 2005, 07:27 AM
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can this post possibly sound any trollier? i know that it is not.
i don't really know what your question is but since everyone has different tastes it is not very interesting to comment on other's taste in clothing.
i can only assure you that your husband's white socks will cause no cultural or other offenses. in general, scotland is not a particularly stylish place nor are its people very snobbish about how you look. wear what you want.
May 23rd, 2005, 07:32 AM
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Jaconway: There is only one way to avoid censure on this issue: Leave the tennis shoes at home.
If you ignore this advice, your husband will be despised by some people for wearing tennis shoes off the court.
From the replies above, this is not conjecture; it is a certainty.
A small number of others will accept the tennis shoes but despise the socks: Some will despise the white ones and some the black.
Yor only alternative to leaving the questionable footwear at home is to determine not to care what anyone else thinks...
...In which case, it doesn't matter what socks you wear.
May 23rd, 2005, 07:46 AM
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May 23rd, 2005, 07:59 AM
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How about in the spirit of inclusiveness, your husband wears one white and one black sock?
But seriously, folks, white athletic shoes won't create a world crisis, but are not worn as widely in Europe as around the U.S. What if he also packs a dark pair of walking shoes (you know, they DO make black athletic-type shoes) then he can switch if need be.
p.s. hopefully he isn't planning on wearing SHORTS in Scotland with those white shoes?
May 23rd, 2005, 08:08 AM
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How about 2 prs shoes, 2 prs socks?
Shoe Sock
L R L R
Day one W B B W
Day 2 W B W B
Day 3 W B W W
Day 4 W B B B
Day 5 B W B W
Day 6 B W W B
Day 7 B W W W
Day 8 B W B B
etc.....
May 23rd, 2005, 08:14 AM
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IRA - I am going to send you my packing list from now on, so you can create my clothing itinerary!
May 23rd, 2005, 08:17 AM
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If you don't care looking American, do wear your white tennis shoes & socks (I wouldn't care at all myself).
For your information, if we see lots of white tennis shoes in the streets of Antwerp we know that there's a cruise ship moored along the banks of the Scheldt! And this is no joke.
May 23rd, 2005, 08:55 AM
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Most of us here dress for comfort - so tell him to bring his winter coat & he'll be fine
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White or Black Socks With Black Shoes
Source: https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/black-socks-w-tennis-shoes-531064/