Socks with sandals
Socks with Sandals? A fashion disaster, you may think, but certainly not in Deutschland. It’s the most disputed fashion trend albeit very much “German-approved”. So what started this trend? Is it actually a trend or just a part of German culture?
Germans prefer functionality when it comes to clothing. They emphasize comfort, health, temperature adaptivity, motoric flexibility, anatomy and fun rather than just making a style statement. For some Germans this unique combination provides cushioning, for some it’s a must for the delicate feet or simply as a protection against cold.
Back in the days, German tourists were to be spotted from far away due to this typical Socken-in-Sandalen phenomena. Those days, white tennis socks in hiking sandals were commonly worn, which led Non-Germans to fall into shock. Imagine the beautiful, tourist-filled beaches of South France and South Spain with sunbathing people from all over the world in their colourful swimsuits, bikinis and swim shorts and in between white shiny tennis socks in sandals grappling over the beach sand to find the right sun-bathing spot. “Ah, a German!”, would everyone think or say out loud.
One of the pioneers in sandal footwear is the well-known German brand “Birkenstock”. Once labelled as ugly orthopaedic sandals only worn by geriatric citizens or alternative people, Birkenstock sandals have in the recent decades become the latest trend spread all over the globe. A solid pair of socks, a night sky theme, white and red striped socks, mens socks featuring a floral combo, cartoon figures, or matching it with the tennis socks – it keeps getting bizarre! But dear fashionistas, be informed that this is the new cool. From David Beckham to the Kardashians, these celebrities have managed to carry the trend openly and gracefully.
If you are new in Deutschland, you might be hesitant to even think of wearing Socken-in-Sandalen. But if you live for some time in Germany, sooner or later, you will be “caught” in slowly becoming a real German when questioning yourself in the morning which Birkenstock to wear today – the vegan pair, or the ones with dinosaurs on it, wool or tennis socks or no socks at all. Lastly, when you visit your home country and travel in comfortable Socken in Sandalen, you will be a big German surprise to your family. So folks – what’s your pick today?
