This is a guest blog submitted by sleepyhead.This afternoon at lunch, while we were having a rousing discussion
about some important Datingish posts, Miss Double Shot commented on my
multicolored striped socks, so I explained why I like to wear different colored accessories.
I feel that many business people who dress up for work all look
alike. There's nothing to differentiate them from the next
businessperson. Many wear different colored ties, but it’s hard to
wear an outrageous tie to work. This is where socks and underwear come
in.
The
idea started a long time ago when I was in high school and I visited the FBI
academy. One of the agents always made sure to wear outrageous colored
socks on his visits to foreign countries so he'd stand out.
People always engaged him in conversation by asking about his socks.
Ever since that day, I decided I wanted to do that as well.
During my
basketball season that year, I wore
knee high socks
(the red striped ones) that looked like they belonged in a Dr. Seuss
book. My opponents knew me as the kid who wore Cat in the Hat socks.
I’ve even had girls always ask me why I wear those types of socks.
Knowing they were curious, I always told them I wear colorful underwear
too.
It was a good conversation starter and broke tension when talking
to a girl. Looks like the socks are still doing their job - Miss
Double Shot loved them.
Do you or your SO wear anything "outrageous"?
If you see someone wearing something unusual, do you start a conversation about it?
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Comments (32)
I too am a proponent of outrageous socks and leggings (I have a pair just like the photo). The most recent addition to my collection being a pair of pink-topped black knee highs featuring a very large cupcake and GIR, who is my all time favorite cartoon. I'm quite happy those socks even exist.
Just as I am equally willing to talk about my socks to a perfect stranger, I am likely to comment on a great shirt, cool socks, or even just, interestingly colored plaids. Even if someone is basically unreceptive to the idea that their clothing can be a conversation piece with a total stranger, it usually makes them smile because whether they are wearing said outrageous item for themselves, or the world, its nice to know someone else like it.
That said, No stranger has ever used my socks or leggings as an opener for anything more than brief casual conversation, but socks to underwear to phone number isn't the most bizarre conversation flow.
do you have socks that looks like gloves where you can fit your toes into them? they come in multicolors also. my dad just made a dog toy out of that sock for my dog. haha
i wear really long lashes and it's an ice breaker. haha
I'm a sucker for girls who dress outrageously.
My outrageous form of dress isn't much of a conversation starter, unfortunately, but I LOVE wearing flare jeans, which you can only get in the women's department these days. I would not recommend doing this if you are trying to pick up chicks.
I wear blankets as coats because they're more comfy.
My boyfriend doesn't really, except that he will wear slacks and button-up shirts just to hang out with me. It makes me so happy when he does, because it's super-hot.
I love crazy socks. My friends call my brave for wearing them but it makes me happy.
Haha.
No but seriously, I understand about strangers starting up conversations about your clothes. I'm a christian and I dress very conservatively and I wear a headcovering so people ask me all the time what it's for. I don't mind it and I actually enjoy it.
I find it attractive when people wear what they want to wear, especially when it's something that stands out in a crowd. It shows that you have a great deal of confidence, and for something like colorful socks, it shows that you don't take yourself too seriously.
My high school cross country team had a pair of argyle socks that were passed every year from an outgoing senior to someone who will be a senior the next year. The only rules were that you had to wear the socks at every meet and that you had to pass them on at the end of the season.
Its interesting just how odd argyle socks look when they are worn with cross country spikes.
I think that if a guy really wants to talk to you, he'll find anything interesting about you and use it to start a conversation. Having something unique about you only helps the process.
I think a girl would laugh at me if I wore those socks :P
that's called "peacocking"
@zontiago@xanga - i like the reference to Strauss
I wear socks and I do the whole hair dying thing.
It's turned into a habit really. I HATE going out without wearing socks that go up to my knees. I actually have a small collection of socks...
and I have paid sixteen dollars for one pair of socks at the mall before.
I'm always complimented on either my socks or my hair and everyone is always asking "Where did you get those socks?!" and "Who did your hair?"
My exhusbands clothes never made sense...he's wear plaid short with a polk-a-dot dress shirt and striped socks. Just the other day he sent me a picture message of some shoes he had the kids paint for him matched up with two different socks, one blue striped, the other red. I went to a girls night the other night wearing a paisley orange and fire colored blouse and matched it with some black and white polkadot espadrilles. Everyone made a point to tell me I didn't match but then went on to say how cute of a statement it was. I love having a unique style that leaves people questioning.
The only outrages things I have done is coloring my hair funky colors or getting piercings. Sometimes they were conversation starters and sometimes people just thought "Crazy kids."
I love crazy socks! I wear stripped tights sometimes too. My favorite outrageous thing to wear are boots. I have pink furry ones & spotted galoshes. I've worn them even to school before. I never take off my glow in the dark jelly bracelets. Everything I wear is usually outragous. XD
Eh, my style is pretty simple boho chic, but I used to do the crazy sock thing. Now it's mostly mixing prints. I'll wear a spotted blouse with a paisley skirt or something.
I sometimes will comment on someones clothes if i think its cute or someone is out there.
Xo
I don't think I wear anything outrageous, but I've got quite a sock collection, belt, and underwear collection.I just like bright colors and cute stuff. He used to wear outrageous stuff, but not anymore.
I don't wear outrageous things, but I do love wearing thigh highs, I just hate looking slutty
I dunno if many guys can pull it off without looking silly. I'm pretty vanilla in my outfits when it comes to work.
I describe this as secret fun. it could be socks or underwear or even when the insides of your pockets have plaid. lol but i usally dont want everyone to see it, it is my own little secret.
i don't wear shoes often. i always get the omg barefeet! comment. :D
My hair is pretty long.. About down to my belly button. It is naturally very dark, but I bleach some streaks in and color them with different colors like so.
http://a481.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/120/l_29e55471f4e7b0ad5a2bb0b90c55ad28.jpg
It starts a LOT of conversations. I love it when people dress crazy! It makes them so approachable, and it just shows how cool they are to be original!
nah he doesn't wear outrageous anything. but you could pick him out of a crowd cause he wears the same thing everyday haha.
a black t shirt, either jeans or shorts and his slipknot hat.
i call him an emo chick but shh :]
no, not really & no, not really.