Saturday, July 08, 2006

An Urgent Clarification

I received an urgent e-mail from my sister after having read the Trekking Blah Sock post, and she wanted to make a few things clear to the readers of XRK. So, with her permission, here is the e-mail exchange, with a few edits...

Socks and sandals? Socks and sandals? Never. Just because I'm eco-girl doesn't mean I've lost my freakin' eco-mind and relegated myself to the bottom of some stale hippie fashion bin! Even on the muddy trail a lady is still a lady, and a lady knows that if it's sock weather, it's shoe/boot weather. For shizzie Lizzie :)

That's the kind of stuff we promised to keep each other straight on throughout life, and I'm here to tell you I'm still on board 100% with the socks and sandals rule. I may have fallen off the wagon once or twice in college, but that was then, what can I say.

One of the other major things was short sleeved knit sweaters, but we did refine the definition to require protrusions like pom-poms as well as holiday and seasonal graphics, like Santa and migratory birds. So we're still straight on that. And we're doing okay vis-a-vis mu-mus.

Other than that nothing comes to mind, so, we're good.


So then I asked her about the Birkenstock-with-socks look, which in my book, with hand-knit socks, is totally acceptable, and a look that I remember her sporting in her college years.

The Birks were the in-college fashion moment. At least in hindsight. It's ok for other people - I have no problem with it as a general thing, but for me specifically it's firmly in the no-no category now.

I like to think that the switch to Tevas (sans sandals) say less hippie shuffle, more action with traction. I'm a new age eco girl, the kind who is more likely to have a proper multitool and a Luna bar in my pocket than a half a doobie and some fuzzy raisins.


I would like to say that the hosts of this humble blog truly have no problem with the socks-with-sandals look, whether it is with Tevas, Birkenstocks, or more high-fashion choices. I struggle with the search for the most appropriate footwear for my handknit socks, as my socks are usually hidden inside boots or stuffed into clogs. My sister is not a knitter (I am working to change this), and has never yet worn the handknit sock, so she does not know the dilemma one has when wearing a special, beautiful, handknit sock.

But my sister wants it to be made clear: she will not wear her socks with Tevas.

11 comments:

Devorah said...

You really do not want to wear socks with Tevas because the velcro on the Tevas catches on the sock and snags it. I know from experience since I freqently wear my socks with my Tevas -- but only on our balcony when cleaning the turtle tank.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting the clarification! I'm looking forward to the wonderful dilemma of how many millions of ways I can wear my awesome socks.

Anonymous said...

Your sister sounds like a righteous babe. She must be if she's related to you, Liz. ;o)

HPNY KNITS said...

the clear choice is crocs!
http://hpnyknits.blogspot.com/2006/06/crocs-that-rock.html

Anonymous said...

love the post! it's hard finding a good way to show off handknit socks. i'm looking forward to hearing what little sister comes up with!

Ann said...

Having just returned from the land of socks and sandles, I see nothing wrong with this fashion choice ... but then I am a fashion-clueless hippy!

The velcro issue is a serious one. I wear those fleece socks with the tevas ... easy to whip off and stash in your pack on the trail when the day heats up ...

Anonymous said...

What a funny post :-)

I have never worn socks with sandals but if you're in a situation where your feet are cold there is no reason to suffer for fashion. That being said I don't wear high heels (more the 2-3") because I suffer when I am wearing them so I'm in the if-it-makes-you-comfortable category.

Does that make sense?

carrie said...

that's too funny...

gray la gran said...

socks and tevas, NO! the velcro might snag the sock. but, how does the sister feel about socks and dansko's ? hmmm .... also, socks with anything, even flip flops is okay on the appalachian trail ... just ask any long distance hiker!

Anonymous said...

Dang! "half a doobie and a fuzzy raisin"! i was laughing my ass off! glad to hear your sister is a stylish eco-chick!

KarenK said...

Funny post. Obviously, one way to snag your sister on the thorns of a dilemma is for you to make her a gift of a well-fitting, soft and luscious pair of handknit socks!