INS(oev)IDE #11 - socks
A reflective piece answering one of the most common queries about socks this summer.
INS(oev)IDE is my attempt to give a behind the scenes look at my street photography project seasonsofeastvan.
Lessons, reflections, interactions, and novel ideas I get from collecting photos and experiences out in the neighborhoods often find their way into these pages.
If you’d like to continue following along, or if you’d like to check out my other Substack sections GENEs (interviews with locals) and DiPartures (non-photography or style related content), please consider subscribing below.
See-ya Summer
After going back and forth through my collection of summer photos for the past six weeks trying to decide what to write about “in reflection” on a great summer, I’ve been struggling to land on something solid.
I had a few drafts written about different topics, but I didn’t feel like any of them were making a strong enough argument, or were exciting enough for a Substack piece. Maybe it was my lack writing practice through the summer that led me to feel like they aren’t good enough to publish, or maybe it didn’t feel right for a reason.
The fact is, some of my favorite photos and interactions happened this summer and although I wasn’t able to write about them as much as I’d intended, I know that when I look back on this collection at the end of the year to make my book, and again in the future, it will be remembered as one of my best seasons of photos and memories.
Recently though, while reading
’s piece Dos & Donts of a Mach 3+ Lifestyle, some of the funny interactions from the digital world this summer came screaming back into my memory.The exact quote which initiated this flood of my Instagram comment and DM-laden memory is as follows:
• Don’t wear “no-show” socks if literally anyone can see a WHISPER of sock peeking out of the footwear. The moment anyone spies a micron of sock? You’ve flubbed that s**t, broken the contract you made with the Devil of Swaglessness, and added rank ugliness to your environs. A classic Spyplane Holy Decree worth reiterating. Similarly,
• Don’t wear heather-gray tees in public, except at the gym.
(BBSP, 2024)
The first half of that quote will be the focus of this article, the second is a bonus for all you heather-gray lovers out there…
(BTW, this is not the first time I’ve quoted a BBSP article on this Substack, and it likely will not be the last, I am a huge fan and continue to read every single thing Jonah and Erin write. To call BBSP an “inspiration” for this Substack would be an understatement, it is uncanny how many times they’re writing aligns with things I am currently thinking about/writing about. In my opinion, they tend to hit the nail right on the head when it comes to culture, subculture, shopping habits, and general lifestyle choices. The second half their article goes into slowing-the-fuck-down, in every day life; something I’ve been trying to convince those around me of for years. But I digress…)
Sock it to me
I’ve been reluctant to tell people online (and IRL) “how to dress”. I love to celebrate what I am seeing out in the neighborhoods by including things that excite me in my posts and in this project, but to outright write or post a specific “do and don’t” is something I have avoided consciously. I don’t consider myself an expert and I think there are better resources out there for guidance (a short list I use can be found at the end of this article). It may also be because my own style has adapted and changed a few times over the years and that I don’t want to get caught putting my foot down on something that I end up wearing a few years later, we all know it happens.
Through this photography project based primarily on clothing, I felt like I can leave the clues to my taste and allow the viewer to determine what I believe the current “do’s and don’ts” organically on their own, it’s part of the allure, but also I hope to encourage pattern recognition and critical thinking. I would assume that if you’ve been following along my photography for long enough, you’ve likely seen enough evidence of my biases, the things I choose to include, but maybe more importantly, the things I choose not to include, when it comes to clothing.
Because I don’t blatantly share opinions or trends, rarely do I get really specific style questions or even general trend related comments, except for this summer…and they were all regarding SOCKS. (I unfortunately can’t find the couple of DMs that came through regarding the sock game in the city, but they were in the same essence of what you see below.)
There was about a three week period where every post would have one or two sock related comments and as I searched through the summer photos again this year, it was clear there was definitely some next level sock wearing happening.
This is not the first summer of the tube sock, that is for sure, even back in my 2019 photos you can see many people rocking a fresh white tube sock with a pair of loafers, or a dusty pair of coloured socks to add some pop to a plain black sneaker. But this year, it seemed to catch on with a little extra attitude and flavor.
I am currently a huge fan of socks, especially as someone who has some ugly toes. I’d love to throw on a breathable pair of sandals during the hot summer months but, my hobbit feet will not allow such a travesty. I will admit, there was a time in my life that I was a no-sock-bandit, ruining pair after pair of shoes with the ungodly stench of a summer full of walking around the world sockless.
You may also remember in the not so distant past a similar feeling, thinking that wearing tube socks was a “dad” move and it makes sense, the tastes of the past included short shorts, skinny jeans, slightly cropped or synced pants, vans classics, thong sandals…things that did not require socks, or, looked better with socks hidden.
Today, the exact opposite is true, and lets celebrate that fact for now.
The diversity of the sock implementation can be seen crossing all genres, applications, colors, and lifestyle choices. From a chunky tube sock with a pair of Teva’s to a dainty frilly sock in a pair of flats. As a bold solid colour to add some pop, or a logo’d pair to add some sock-shoe brand matching. Knee high or quarter height, at the end of the day, the sock game dominated the street this summer.
Of course I had to include a few sockless styles, as you can see below, there are some prime examples from the summer where the no sock rock is still very welcome, but it aligns firmly with BBSP’s statement above, all or none!
My personal favorite these days are my Stance Run Light Quarter Socks in Volt (as seen bottom left above). They are super comfortable, my go to running sock, but they also add that surprise pop of colour to an otherwise plain fit.
Will we see a time where we rotate away from the sock dominance…likely. They currently fit well with the shoes and aesthetics which are dominating. They go great with the ballerina flat, rock climbing/hiking shoe, loafer, doc, birk/teva, and sneaker, so it will be a trend that might dominate for a while as these styles peak and taper off.
I am excited to know though, if this is where I personally get off the “fashion cycle”, and truly settle into the sock loving lifestyle, as a dad, runner, and as someone who is always integrating more function than form into my wardrobe, maybe I will fully embrace being the “dad wearing tube socks” next cycle.
That is all for now, thanks
for the on going inspiration, for the people living in, working in, and visiting “east vancouver” for pushing the boundaries of style, and for you, for reading this!My Shortlist of Taste-makers
I’ve been a sock fiend since my teens — I’ve seen them be super popular and not at all. But they are always a garment that has necessity. They can never fully disappear, much to my delight. I squirrel away the ones I like and hope I won’t wear through them before the next wave of popularity comes. I’m loving the current moment.