No Socks, Fresh Feet

Ok, well the choice is yours. Can you do it? Do you have the nerve? Can you go commando? “Commando?,” you may ask “Yes, Commando!” I may reply.  Doesn’t everyone know what it means to go cammando?  Here’s a synopsis:Without draws, free as a bird.

But the “commando” I speak of is the practice of wearing shoes with no socks (#nosocks).  Seriously, think about it, socks are the underwear (draws) of feet.  They absorb sweat, they keep down odor, and they increase comfort.  But now that this practice has become such a fashion statement there are so many newbies who would like to show us that they have read the latest GQ Magazine by pulling their socks off and sliding their shoes on.

But not so fast there my little “nosocks” rookie.  What do you do when you’ve decided to go sockless on a nice steamy day and you’ve been invited to a friend’s house, and u must take of your shoes to preserve the beautiful white carpet? Do you A) Take off your shoes and pray that god removes all present company’s sense of smell B) Slyly try to remove any sweat build up by graciously sliding (wiping) your feet across their carpet as you comment on how soft their “$24.30/Sq. Yd.” carpet is. C) Ask to use their washroom, a wash clothe, and some soap. Or D) None of the above.  If you did not pick choice “D,” I will pray for you and for that matter your friends too!

So, what should you do?  I’m not the type that waits for the latest trend (though I have been known to hop on one or two).  I have enjoyed the wonders of “nosocks” since I was a wee boy.  This irritated my mother to know end.  She finally informed me, after reaching her threshold on the smell that I needed to powder up before sliding my sockless feet into shoes or “start wearing socks boy!”  That is the key don’t just go sockless.  Condition your feet for a sockless day.  How?  As I mentioned powder is definitely a life saver when it comes to sweat, no matter where you seem to have perspiration problems.  Thankfully in 2010 our friends at Esquire Magazine laid it out for everyone’s benefit:

1. Wash your feet more frequently and vigorously with anti-bacterial soap.

2. Don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day.

3. Use a cedar shoe tree.

4. Sprinkle foot powder in shoes before you wear them.

For me this last piece of advise defeats the purpose of going sockless.  But I guess if you want to have the sockless look and don’t want to go through the hassle of the aforementioned steps you could……

5. Use no-show loafer socks.

So I implore you to enjoy the freedom of going commando (either way).  Show off those ankles (not cankles), understand that there is so much more to the #nosock fad than just pulling your socks off and slipping your shoes on.  There is a measure of personal hygiene involved.  Don’t be lazy, do everything in your power to literally keep your demeanor fresh.