Categories: EtiquetteKitLa Vie VelominatusLook ProTradition

Lock, Sock, and Two Smoking Barrels

Classic witte socks

It used to be that you could choose any color shoes you wanted, so long as they were black and any color socks, so long as they were white. Easy times, those. Then Gianni gave me his White Ladies and all of a sudden my life was complicated.

First of all, the shoes were so beautifully white in their gleaming patent leather that only the whitest of white socks looked white enough. Wear them twice and into the “rain sock” pile they went. The real “rain socks” were even worse, because they were actually dingy and I simply couldn’t deal with the contrast. So then I started wearing black socks in bad weather. Fortunately, white shoes with black socks looks much better than you’d think, although it looks worse than white on white or black on white.

So then I was changing sock color depending on the weather.

The great thing about a pair of White Ladies with white socks is it turns the foot/ankle into a single visual unit, almost like a perpetual pair of overshoes, and everyone knows overshoes always look rad. Very good for motivation when the V-Bank is running a little low on funds.

Then I got my custom orange Bonts, and things really became a mess. Somehow, the extra orange means I have to match my socks to my jersey, otherwise it all looks out of balance; white socks with the Witte jersey, and black socks with the Zwarte jersey. Which is practical because I always wear black in the rain.

But what about that perpetual overshoe look for which I’ve declared my undying love? Orange socks and orange shoes, is it too much? Apparently the answer to that question depends on my mood and how tan my guns are, because I really dug it yesterday but some days I can’t take it because it might be a tad too fluoro. Except I’m kind of liking fluoro again.

So now I’m matching my socks to my jersey unless I match them to my shoes. To make matters worse, my socks are a bit long, I’m afraid. But with my tan line in full swing, I’m committed to the length for the remainder of the season at least. At which point I’ll probably like the sock length.

Somebody call a doctor.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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Geoff Milan says:

Jul 11 2015 at 3:41 am

@@BacklashJack

Maybe. But at least you're not in violation of rule #8 .
tessar says:

Jul 11 2015 at 5:13 am

@wilburrox

Have a look at SAKO7 socks then. Takes some nerve to rock those on the local group ride but they look stunning. Life's too short for boring socks - I either rock the clean whites for racing or wear some colour, either to match the kit or to contrast with it.

How do you like the Audax? My shoes are nearing retirement age and these look snazzy. Oddly enough there hasn't been a proper "launch" for these - I just noticed them appear in a few webshops - unlike the recent Venge ViAS and the new S-Works shoes which were all over the web. Though Bont, Giro Empires and the new Spesh Sub-6 lace-ups look intriguing too.
Mikael Liddy says:

Jul 11 2015 at 5:19 am

@Frank here's the solution when you're wanting the overshoe look.

http://www.velotoze.com/products/tall-shoe-cover?variant=4622260483
tessar says:

Jul 11 2015 at 9:45 am

@Mikael Liddy

Got any experience with these? Full latex construction sounds like it might be the only overshoe in the world that's actually any good at keeping water out.
wrongsideof40 says:

Jul 11 2015 at 1:08 pm

I've just walked into a girl's loo by mistake! Quick glance Frank (that's all it was), I'd say: black and make 'em shorter!
Teocalli says:

Jul 11 2015 at 1:15 pm

@tessar

@Mikael Liddy

Got any experience with these? Full latex construction sounds like it might be the only overshoe in the world that’s actually any good at keeping water out.

Quick look and they are not expensive so ordered a pair (in a more subdued colour) so will report back.
wilburrox says:

Jul 11 2015 at 2:04 pm

@tessar

@wilburrox

Have a look at SAKO7 socks then. Takes some nerve to rock those on the local group ride but they look stunning. Life’s too short for boring socks – I either rock the clean whites for racing or wear some colour, either to match the kit or to contrast with it.

How do you like the Audax? My shoes are nearing retirement age and these look snazzy. Oddly enough there hasn’t been a proper “launch” for these – I just noticed them appear in a few webshops – unlike the recent Venge ViAS and the new S-Works shoes which were all over the web. Though Bont, Giro Empires and the new Spesh Sub-6 lace-ups look intriguing too.

Speshy shoes and Mavics are two brands I can order a certain size and just know they'll fit. I have more than a few pair of both. The Audax shoes vs s-works are two different shoes as Audax simply has more volume for same size. The s-works fit like exam gloves. I love 'em and can wear 'em all day long but I'm not gonna shove a thick wool socked foot in to them. The Audax? No problem. Plenty of volume. Also, if you're a fan of custom footbeds, you might be better off with the larger volume Audax. I've left strd bed in s-works (its fine) as no room for a fizik bed I've also used. The boa enclosures are cool and easy enough though I get along just fine with ratchet straps too. I've yet to try the modern lace up shoes.
justindcady says:

Jul 11 2015 at 2:45 pm

Holy hell things are complicated. My setup? Black/silver shoes, frame is black w/silver outlines, black shorts (duh), and either a mostly white jersey or my full on Sufferfest "dark side" kit. Why? It's fvcking classy. Ride on, gents (and ladies)!
frank says:

Jul 11 2015 at 4:03 pm

@gilly

Fuck me Frank, with the turmoil you clearly put yourself through in dressing correct it’s a wonder you get out the door. I’m a black sock/ black & white shoe guy with white socks only guesting when I’m sufficiently tanned.

TURMOIL?

Surely you mean lifestyle. FFS, this is what we do, isn't it?
frank says:

Jul 11 2015 at 4:14 pm

@VeloJello

Not bad; is that helmet custom painted?

@tessar

I love my Mavics. I love white shoes with just enough bits of black and yellow to make any white sock work, but without clashing every other colour.

I love socks, and I love them long. 6-inch or death!

Now you're getting ahead of yourself!

Via our friend the hilarious Winnepeg CycleChick.