Men's socks?

[RickRS]

Newbie question:

I cruised thru the stickys on shoes and stuff but there doesn't appear to be anything on socks for guys.

Going to see about my first pair of ballroom shoes (Capezio is in stock at the local dance store). I'm have alway preferred a thick sock for street shoes, and I have to wear orthotics now for a high arc that causes pain from pronation. Is there any reason that I shouldn't show up with my standard thick socks and orthotics in hand to try ballroom shoes?

Rick

[Joe]

Definitely bring the orthotics, since you'll have to dance on them. Sock thickness is dependent on shoe fit. If they're on the tight side you'll wear thin socks. If they're looser, you may be more comfy in thick socks. YMMV.

[etp777]

My vote's with Joe. In general, I try to wear thinner socks with my dance shoes. That being said, my main pair I wear for comps now is acctually pair I've had longest, so they're streteched out enough that I'll often wear thicker socks with them. :)

[etp777]

Ironically, looks like I forgot to bring in dress socks today, so will be wearing thick socks I wear with my tennis shoes.

[FatBaldGuy60]

Personally, I like thinner socks, as you can feel the floor better.

I have worn thicker socks. I usually go to lessons from work, and I wear thin socks with my dress shoes, but sometimes I wind up in jeans with athletic socks from my tennis shoes. I got shoes with 3 eyelets instead of the usual 4 or 5. This lets me adjust the fit of my shoe if I am wearing thicker socks.

But, I do like to really feel the floor. Putting my regular shoes back on after a lesson feels like walking in spongy mud.

FBG

[MrBroadway]

And change your socks after a class or lesson - your feet will appreciate it. (Especially if your feet sweat.)

And carry a spare pair in your dance bag (just in case).

As for thickness - I would suggest that you try it both ways at different times and see which thickness you like. (My own preference is for thin socks for dancing.)

[DennisBeach]

I wear thin socks with my good shoes. I have an old stretched out cheap pair of shoes and I wear thick socks, when I use them for practise at home.

[RickRS]

Thanks for those suggestions. I did stop in to see how the fit would be after work, with thick socks. Looks like I'm going to be a problem fit.

The shop only have Capezio ballroom in my size. I need a wide, as well. While I normally use a 9.5 to 10 street shoe, and EEE or EEEE when I can find them, the high arc, wide foot, and orthotic used pushed the size I was trying all the way to a 11.5 wide. The fit was snug but in the brief tryout, seem ok. But the orthrotic was too wide for the shoe, causing noticable wrinkling in the sides of the shoes. As I expect that will distort the side and break them down quickly, I'll have to find another brand that uses a wider last.

Any dance shoe that springs to mind for those of us with fat feet?

[Josh]

So gentlemen, any particular kind/brand of socks that you like to wear, for a long day of dancing? How about thickness? Length?

[BasicsFirst]

Well I've always worn a "thicker" sock, and of course always tried on and bought shoes wearing the same. I believe this allows more leeway as your foot expands and contracts.

I now have favourite one however... it's a 'Denver Hayes' - Ultimate Sport Sock (quarter length). I only know this coz I happen to have a brand new 2-pair pack I'm about to crack open now. In my area, I buy them at 'Marks Work Wearhouse'.

[BasicsFirst]

Oh, I forgot to add... that for a LONG day, I'll take an extra pair and change them half-way through (the day) and just before an event. You can't imagine how good that feels.

[Me]

One male dancer I know confessed to me that he purchases trouser socks from the ladies' department. He said that is the only place that he can find socks that are comfortable, not too thick, etc. Of course I was way too mature to laugh at him... Oh who are we kidding? I picked on him forever about it. :p

[suburbaknght]

I go the other way, preferring the thinnest dress socks I can get. Lately I've been wearing rayon "silk" hose (you can't find actual silk hose anymore and garters are a godawful thing for men).

[Easy]

I like a non-fuzzy medium thickness. It's gotta be 100% cotton as well for breathing. Anything other than cotton can make a man's feet stanky :)

[jwlinson]

I prefer thin, but it has to be "just the right kind" of thin sock. My current favs are some dress socks that are made of bamboo fiber or something odd like that. They're antimicrobial and wick away moisture, which is perfect for a dance sock.

I had to play trial and error before finding just the right ones. Some dress socks sweat my feet way too much, and if I get a sock that's too thick it tends to make my feet feel cramped.

[Terpsichorean Clod]

So gentlemen, any particular kind/brand of socks that you like to wear, for a long day of dancing? How about thickness? Length?
Clean :cool:

[Terpsichorean Clod]

I like a non-fuzzy medium thickness. It's gotta be 100% cotton as well for breathing. Anything other than cotton can make a man's feet stanky :)
Ditto on the medium thickness and cotton. I have a few pairs of nylon socks sitting in my closet - worn once, felt like I was soaking my feet in a hot tub.

[nucat78]

I normally wear medium thickness cotton socks but I bought some thin, synthetic blends because the cotton was a bit thick for my dance shoes - big mistake. After wearing the synthetics all day, my feet stink. They trap a lot more moisture and odor than the all cotton socks.

Based on comments above, I think I'll do some research into sport socks with wicking properties, with/without antimicrobials.

[elisedance]

Jeepers, have we run that low on dance issues? A whole thread on men's socks?? Where is it going, where will it end.

wait a minute, socks - cotton - You've done it, the DF holy grail.

A thread on threads...!!! :rolleyes:

Sorry guys, carry on.....

[Joe]

Black cotton upper calf-length crew socks.

[Al Gisnered]

Jeepers, have we run that low on dance issues? A whole thread on men's socks?? Where is it going, where will it end.

wait a minute, socks - cotton - You've done it, the DF holy grail.

A thread on threads...!!! :rolleyes:

Sorry guys, carry on.....

Um.... Heel Protectors again anyone?

Back OT, I prefer wool/nylon blend (80/20%) for all day wicking and the resilience of wool.

[Josh]

Jeepers, have we run that low on dance issues? A whole thread on men's socks??

Perhaps if you had to wear them for 14 hours you would see it as more of a priority...!! :tongue: They are functionally more important than stones on women's dresses and I've seen about one bajillion threads on stoning dresses ;-)

[Josh]

Thanks all for the comments--currently I wear black cotton ones that are mid-calf high, and they feel absolutely great...but I've noticed that when I wear a very low-cut sock it makes my legs feel more free, and cooler.

[elisedance]

Actually, I find this thread thread kind of sexy. I might be the only woman here....

Hmmm...lets hear more... :wink:

[Egoist]

Thicker bamboo/nylon/spandex/polyester blend.

[madmaximus]

So gentlemen, any particular kind/brand of socks that you like to wear, for a long day of dancing? How about thickness? Length?

Don't know how huge a secret this is (from my outdoor/hiking/climbing days).

Wear TWO socks if you're going to be on your feet for a long time.

One very very thin (for sweat wicking) on the inside, keeps your foot dry.
Second one thicker for cushioning, absorbing impact and perspiration (thickness depends on preference and shoe size).

Great for competitions...

Prevents blisters like nothing else too.




m

[nucat78]

One very very thin (for sweat wicking) on the inside, keeps your foot dry.
Second one thicker for cushioning, absorbing impact and perspiration.


What material(s)? Checked out some bamboo and also silver thread socks on the Web - kinda pricey.

[Egoist]

Wear TWO socks if you're going to be on your feet for a long time.

One very very thin (for sweat wicking) on the inside, keeps your foot dry.
Second one thicker for cushioning, absorbing impact and perspiration (thickness depends on preference and shoe size).

Great for competitions...

m

I have the impression that you want your foot as naked as possible so that you can articulate well and so that you can feel the floor better. Therefore, it follows that you would want to wear the thinnest sock you can wear. This also means that you have to wear fitted shoes.

I have been using shoes that are not fitted with thicker socks but am moving away from this. It may also have a better effect on my toenails, some of which are badly bruised.

[elisedance]

So why do men need socks anyway? We ladies use the thinest stockings (which I prefer) or nothing at all between foot and shoe...

[nucat78]

So why do men need socks anyway? We ladies use the thinest stockings (which I prefer) or nothing at all between foot and shoe...

The male socks drive is one of the strongest on the planet. We'll do a lot of goofy stuff just for good socks. Heck, even for mediocre socks...

[FatBaldGuy60]

So why do men need socks anyway? We ladies use the thinest stockings (which I prefer) or nothing at all between foot and shoe...

Because we look weird in our nice clothes without socks. Force of habit. To contain our smellaciousness.

No one is looking at your feet when you are a woman anyway, except for some strange fetishists...and judges...and other dancers...what was my point there? :confused:

FBG

[BallandChange]

So why do men need socks anyway? We ladies use the thinest stockings (which I prefer) or nothing at all between foot and shoe

EW, you wouldn't want to see my feet.:nope:

[madmaximus]

So why do men need socks anyway? We ladies use the thinest stockings (which I prefer) or nothing at all between foot and shoe...

Many practical reasons Elise, but most basic is hygiene; changing socks daily is, for me, an effective measure against the build-up of odious bacteria and smells in the shoe.





m

[Chiron]

So why do men need socks anyway? We ladies use the thinest stockings (which I prefer) or nothing at all between foot and shoe...

It's kind of like asking why do men need a woman...

I don't know the answer but I do know I'll walk half way around the world and spend a fortune to find a good one (pair of socks or woman).

BOT.. My favorite socks are my fencing socks, thick where they need to be, thin where they can afford to be, they wick mosture perfectly. Unfortunately they don't really work for ballroom since they come above my knees and are only available in white (and I just can't bring myself to do white socks and black shoes). It seems like there should be some other type of sports sock out there that does really good like a good running, skiing, or soccer sock. Maybe try a running store, the guys that work there tend to be pretty knowledgeable about feet, the abuse you can put them through, and how to make your feet happy again.

[elisedance]

It's kind of like asking why do men need a woman...

I don't know the answer but I do know I'll walk half way around the world and spend a fortune to find a good one (pair of socks or woman).


Hmm. If I put a great pair of socks in chicago and a great woman in NY and you half way between - which way would you go?
{there is a correct answer to this by the way...:roll:}

Maybe try a running store, the guys that work there tend to be pretty knowledgeable about feet, the abuse you can put them through, and how to make your feet happy again.

My ex dance instructor (5'6") bought himself a new pair of shoes that had a higher than usual heel (he had a number of tall women students - myself at 5'10 included) but they were too tight on him and really hurt. He's spent a lot on them and was reluctant to admit they were a waste of money so, as a joke, I hid them from him, forcing him to use his old ones (which he eventually thanked me for - he never asked for them back). The shoes remained in the trunk of my car to be forgotten.

On occasion I would forget my shoe bag to a lesson or practice and I used pull out these shoes - which fit me perfectly (I have wide feet) - and with the heel they looked to anyone else like a fancy pair of ladies practice shoes. So the point of this story is that I actually know what it is like to dance in men's shoes. Its GLORIOUS. Its HEAVEN compared to heels. Indeed, it was very tempting to forget my shoe bag often ;)

Sooo, how many of you guys have tried the opposite? Dancing, no I'll let you off that, lets just try walking in a pair of heels - they don't have to be high - and wearing them for a few hours?

[etp777]

Suburbaknight, you can still get silk hose any place that sells real formalwear. They run 80-100% silk, depending on the brand, etc. Can even get the Pantherella party socks with little white canes and tophats embroidered on them. :) I have plain black ones from JAB in my drawer to wear with tux.

And for all those talking about Bamboo, fwiw, this is just a marketing term for rayon. Rayon is made from natural fiber that is treated. Latest source of this is bamboo, as it's cheap and easily replenishable. But since so many people have bad view of synthetic fibers, particularly rayon and polyester, they refer to this fabric as being bamboo, instead of rayon.

[Joe]

Many practical reasons Elise, but most basic is hygiene; changing socks daily is, for me, an effective measure against the build-up of odious bacteria and smells in the shoe.
Indeed. Many womens' dance shoes can be smelled from several feet away...

[elisedance]

Calm down joe, calm down :p

[nucat78]

My favorite socks are my fencing socks, thick where they need to be, thin where they can afford to be, they wick mosture perfectly. Unfortunately they don't really work for ballroom since they come above my knees and are only available in white (and I just can't bring myself to do white socks and black shoes)..

Dye 'em black. I had a couple of beige rugs that were always trashed by the dog. Got some dark green Ritt dye ($3) and shazzam! rugs show dirt much less.
Experiment with a junk pair first.

[Chiron]

Hmm. If I put a great pair of socks in chicago and a great woman in NY and you half way between - which way would you go?
{there is a correct answer to this by the way...:roll:}


Easy go to NY, then take the woman on vacation to Chicago so I can get the socks. :cool:

[fire_dancer]

Easy go to NY, then take the woman on vacation to Chicago so I can get the socks. :cool:


*applauds*

[elisedance]

nice try.
Real story: woman declines and stays in NY to shop... and no, she's not buying you socks.

[Chiron]

nice try.
Real story: woman declines and stays in NY to shop... and no, she's not buying you socks.

Right, in that case I'll call my sister in Ohio and have her go on vacation and get the socks :p

[Egoist]

Hmm. If I put a great pair of socks in chicago and a great woman in NY and you half way between - which way would you go?
{there is a correct answer to this by the way...:roll:}


Nowhere. Because both are figments of your imagination!

[elisedance]

Right, in that case I'll call my sister in Ohio and have her go on vacation and get the socks :p

Now that works, sisters are always looking for something a brother might treasure as a birthday present.

Come to think about it, I wish I had known about the emotional link between a man and his socks years ago. Could have saved umpteen $$s on mis-bought scents and soap....

[elisedance]

Nowhere. Because both are figments of your imagination!

Don't underestimate the power of figs and mints, or my imagination for that matter.....

[etp777]

Where did you get the misguided notion that men use soap?

[elisedance]

Where did you get the misguided notion that men use soap?

Its not a notion, its a wish... :p

[wooh]

Actually, I find this thread thread kind of sexy. I might be the only woman here....

Hmmm...lets hear more... :wink:

I wasn't all that intrigued until Josh started talking about feeling free and cool.;)

[wooh]

The male socks drive is one of the strongest on the planet. We'll do a lot of goofy stuff just for good socks. Heck, even for mediocre socks...

My husband has all these rules for which socks he'll wear when. He's got 2 drawers full of socks, in every height and thickness. If the low temp is 32 degrees, it's one style of sock, if the low will be merely 33, it's another style. Me, it's whatever I can grab that's a pair.

[elisedance]

My husband has all these rules for which socks he'll wear when. He's got 2 drawers full of socks, in every height and thickness. If the low temp is 32 degrees, it's one style of sock, if the low will be merely 33, it's another style. Me, it's whatever I can grab that's a pair.

Of your husbands? :lol:

[wooh]

Of your husbands? :lol:

:D;)

[elisedance]

Nucat.

I just saw your new avatar. Does your partners shoes really smell that badly?

[White Chacha]

I got these big burly socks made by Filson that I wear to bed. In the morning I always have warm and dry feet. That's heaven.

[elisedance]

sorry CC but thats a real turnoff. Now argyles to bed...

[White Chacha]

It's funny how people are so definitively on one side or the other of that one! I'll tell you that you wouldn't want to be subject to my icy feet!

Whatever; I like your sig anyway ;-)

[nucat78]

sorry CC but thats a real turnoff. Now argyles to bed...

How about a Zorro mask? :raisebro:

BOT!

As an addendum, I must wear socks as my body chemistry is such that wearing shoes without socks guarantees the shoes are going to stink in short order. I dearly love to run around in deck shoes in the summer as opposed to sandals but Topsiders, shorts and socks is not a good look on me.

[elisedance]

what a lovely avatar - do you have that in the photo area, my eyes are dim I can not see hmmmmmmmm

[nucat78]

What, me looking like a dork in shorts, shoes and socks? Uh uh.

[nucat78]

Anybody have trouble with wearing holes in the toe of their socks? I've put holes in about 4 pairs just dancing one night. And I do keep my toenails trimmed. I think my shoes fit ok - I don't get blisters or anything.

I was thinking of putting athletic tape over my big toenails but there must be an easier solution. (I don't really want to switch to wearing bulky 100% cotton although they are thicker.)

[flashdance]

Anybody have trouble with wearing holes in the toe of their socks? I've put holes in about 4 pairs just dancing one night. And I do keep my toenails trimmed. I think my shoes fit ok - I don't get blisters or anything.

I was thinking of putting athletic tape over my big toenails but there must be an easier solution. (I don't really want to switch to wearing bulky 100% cotton although they are thicker.)

Nope, although now I'm using trainer socks they do seem stronger than normal ones (to me anyway).

I've put a hole in the toe side of a dance shoe once though :D

[Joe]

No holes in socks. Keep your toenails trimmed short?

[QPO]

I think they make socks poorly now and not reinforced enough. Perhaps try a different brand, it is a universal problem for both men and women.

[cornutt]

I always wear out the backs of the heels. Shoes that fit me properly in the toe and ball area are always too loose around the heel.

[etp777]

Yep, I have the hell problem too, exacerbated by me not using a shoe horn, yet taking shoes off every time I sit at desk, then forcing them back on, and so on.

Gold toe brand socks, jsut their cheap line from target, have been the best value for the money in my experience. Thye still wear out, just not as fast.

[nucat78]

No holes in socks. Keep your toenails trimmed short?

Yup.

[Easy]

Wow....in one night of dancing. Don't know what to say. Maybe relax your toes a bit. Keep them toned, yet relaxed enough for the joints and gravity to do the work for you.

[samina]

change brand, nucat...

[etp777]

Maybe the problem isn't the toenails, and you just need to wash your feet occasionally? :)

[nucat78]

Wash my feet? Hmmm. Interesting concept. Would that be with something like soap or ???

[etp777]

Or the windex from new breakfast drink you and sam are working on. :)

[elisedance]

Oh goody - a new men's socks thread. If you will excuse the pun...

[Easy]

Maybe the problem isn't the toenails, and you just need to wash your feet occasionally? :)

Lmao you guys are funny

[wooh]

Maybe file your nails after you trim them? My nails are really sharp if I just clip.

[elisedance]

I think we are beginning to understand why men don't have open toed dance shoes...

[apeacock]

I'm hoping someone here will have some insight into this - I'm looking for either a very strong or an inexpensive dress sock. I find with what I have now, after a single competition or a couple of practices I have worn holes in the front of my socks, which is very annoying. Does anyone have a good men's sock that will last me more than a single competition, or a really cheap source on dress socks so I can just buy a whole ton without caring if I destroy them?

Thanks,
Adam

[SwingWaltz]

http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=28546

[Josh]

I feel I should revisit this thread since I asked several months ago about sock brands. I am using a regular dress sock available at wal-mart and they're branded "George" ... they feel great, they stay up on my legs pretty well, they're relatively inexpensive, and have lasted a long time. I bought about 24 pair, and while they fade of course, for the amount of time I wear them and how much I've washed them, I'm very happy with them. They're not really thick or thin, just a comfortable thickness.

[elisedance]

Did you name them George I, George II, George III.... George XXIV?

(:car: for cover)

[Josh]

Wow, only 17 minutes--I expected someone to reply with the "George" jokes even sooner! :-)

[Joe]

You could probably re-dye them if you think they're too faded.

[elisedance]

bubble-gum pink comes to mind. Thats sure to catch the judges eye...

[what is it thats so intrinsically funny about men's socks? just doesn't work for women's...]

[Josh]

You could probably re-dye them if you think they're too faded.

Life is too short to dye socks to their original color.

[etp777]

No pink here ed, but I have a pair of black and purple striped socks I will be wearing during my tango on Sunday. :)

[nucat78]

Maybe file your nails after you trim them? My nails are really sharp if I just clip.

I'll try that. I must have a nail file in the depths of my shaving kit.

after a single competition or a couple of practices I have worn holes in the front of my socks, which is very annoying..

Yup. See my earlier post. The mods strung all these together.

I am using a regular dress sock available at wal-mart and they're branded "George"

I dislike WalMarts but I'll check these out. Dying stuff is no big deal. Pick up a packet of Ritt (sp?), toss it and a cup of salt into your washing machine with the items to be dyed and *boom* you're pretty much done. I dyed a couple off-white throw rugs that the dog had trashed a dark green and they came out quite well. $2 for the dye, would have been at least $20 for replacement rugs.

Hmmm. I had to buy a white polo for formation team and white shirts and I do not get along. I might try dying it after it acquires its inevitable stains.

[Joe]

Life is too short to dye socks to their original color.
OK, Mr. Moneybags!