Are You Ready for Cuffs, High Waters and No Socks?

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I remember wearing penny loafers with no socks sometime in the late 80’s. J.Crew. is bringing that look back and has added a new twist: the folded cuff to both jeans and khakis. While this style is not for every one, it can be a playful and somewhat dressy with some even folding their suit pant. One interesting trend that’s coming back along with the folded cuff is the higher hem with no break at the shoe line, or “high waters” if you prefer. Take a look:

cuffed jeans with no socks

white bucks, cuffed jeans and no socks

Cuffed kackis with no socks

If you can't wear jeans at work, this would be your kakhi alternative

shorts dress shoes and no socks

pairing shorts with dress shoes and no socks is not for the fashion timid

Guys what do you think? Would you feel comfortable wearing cuffed khakis with no socks?

Ladies, do you think your man would wear this look?

  • Would not and SHOULD not!!! Don’t mean to be so closed-minded, but that was the way the women wore their pants in the 80’s. On a man, it looks horrible! Sorry, but NO WAY!!

  • The cuffs on the khakis might not be bad but I’m not quite there on the jeans (even though I did tight-roll my jeans in the early 90s). Also, I don’t think I’d like the feeling of wearing a dress shoe without socks. Maybe if the lining of the shoe were just right.

    • You could ruin a good pair of shoes by sweating too much on a hot day. It’s at tricky thing for sure.

  • Image #1 No. Image #2 Eh. Image #3 NOOOOOO. Those are my thoughts.

  • 4 words: Stinky feet. No thanks.n πŸ™‚

  • For moms of teenagers who WILL do this: Get no show socks at Journeys. Then they can have the look with considerably less stink.

    • Thanks for the tip. But what about wives of middle aged men who will try to pull that look off?

      • Pass this along to Gwen. πŸ˜‰

  • I am a big kahki guy and would totally do this. I love the no sock thing especially in the Spring and Summer. nWife digs it too. Not as good with the Jeans as I do not wear them quite as much.

  • Steve Shantz

    I used to turn up my jeans when I was a kid. That’s because the legs of my “hand me downs” were too long. I’d consider cuffs again. I’ve forgotten to take an extra pair of socks to the gym and been forced to go without socks in dress shoes. I really hate that feel – especially by the end of the day. I am too fashion timid to try that look.

    • Steve, I give you another few months and you’ll be wearing shorts and dress shoes without socks.

  • Anonymous

    I can see I will continue my journey of not being “in style”.

    • Remember this is just “a” style. Find your groove and rock it.

  • Normally I like what I see here, but the rolled pants look way too much like the “french” rolling of my late elementary and early middle school years. My issues isn’t even with the no socks! As a woman, I hate socks, and I don’t really mind a guy who doesn’t wear them… but please, can we do without the rolling of the pants???

    • I don’t like rolling as much as I like a nice cuff, and I’m even warming up to the big cuff idea.

  • Jennifer

    Okay, let’s keep in mind that these are trends. I really don’t think that rolling up your pant leg is going to be considered a “classic” style. So, if you don’t like it, it’s not necessary to get all upset about it. Just don’t do it. Pretty J. Crew models can be misleading about what normal people can pull off so also keep that in mind. nnThat being said, if you’re going to do it, do it right. Make sure you’re wearing the proper type of pants. You’ll note, none of the pants or shorts shown in these pictures have PLEATS (as an aside, can we do away with men’s pleated pants completely? Awful.) and the jeans are DARK. Keep it polished and deliberate. Also, just because the “high-water” look is shown here as presumably “in,” it doesn’t mean it’s okay to wear pants too short if you’re not rolling them. nnnn

    • “Pretty J. Crew models can be misleading about what normal people can pull off so also keep that in mind.” That’s a great point. A lot of what very thin and tall men wear might not look good in another body type.

  • High School son has been rocking these looks for about 6 months or longer… I think I would like a modified look for my husband. Its a yes for this middle aged wife/mom.

  • Anna

    Whether I do like this new look – or don’t – it does make me wonder why there are “fashionable” looks and the unfashionable. I think we all like to feel comfortable and look nice, but do clothes make the man? Do we take it too far like the emperor did with his new clothes? I’m afraid I sound like some old fuddy-duddy, but I’d be happy if we didn’t have to keep up with appearances so much and actually went beyond that to the heartl

    • While we hate to judge a book by its cover, most people do. The moment you choose to wear any item of clothing you are part of a fashion statement, even if you consider it anti-fashion. The point is to wear something you like and feel comfortable and good in it.

  • Kelciekay

    I love all these looks on men!! Casual and Classy in the same look is always a good thing if paired correctly. There are also ways women can pull of the same ideas. Bravo Mo!!!

  • Christian

    I find 2 fundamental problems with that last question: “cuffed khakis”, and “no socks.” While we’re at it, why not suggest wearing manpri’s, penny loafers, and a murse. What better look than to show off your moobs?

  • Kelciekay

    One more thing to add:nLooks like this require someone to also wear confidence. Bold style needs bold confidence! For these particular looks- it will be the difference between looking like a blind Sunday school teacher or a fashion forward confident male. So work it!!! πŸ™‚

  • So I like the ideas of the cuffs and no socks, but I’m 60 years old now! What do you think Maurilio, will I be hip enough for the look?

    • Dave, you’re as hip as your ability to wear something without apology. If you can rock the cuffs with no socks, then go for it.

  • No, my man would not wear this look. Because if he tried to wear this look, he would, at that time, cease to be my man. πŸ˜‰

    • Give your man some fashion breathing room.

    • Kc

      He could indeed cease to be your man and become some other chic’s man, how about that for dictatorship ?

  • Anonymous

    As one in advertising for 20 years, when I see the photos above, I don’t see fashion from said retailers, I see marketing. Trends that may or may not play out marketed at selling elements and thoughts of fashion. The models themselves are even known in the industry. J. Crew and others have to push the ideas out there every season as clothing sales always rely on ideas and accessories to stay relevant. nnI say all this to stay some will catch on culturally, others will just be in photographs. Myself am tempted to rock the rolled cuff as long as it doesn’t take the route of Saved by the Bell rolled tight cuffs.

  • Anonymous

    As one in advertising for 20 years, when I see the photos above, I don’t see fashion from said retailers, I see marketing. Trends that may or may not play out marketed at selling elements and thoughts of fashion. The models themselves are even known in the industry. J. Crew and others have to push the ideas out there every season as clothing sales always rely on ideas and accessories to stay relevant. nnI say all this to stay some will catch on culturally, others will just be in photographs. Myself am temper to rofl the rolled cuff as long as it doesn’t take the route of Saved by the Bell rolled tight cuffs.

  • I have certainly been know to wear the rolled cuffs (although not quite as high) and no socks with both jeans and khakis anytime the weather is warm. I might have even pulled it off with a suit at an outdoor summer wedding once!

    • Now wear it even more proudly. It’s now being featured on fashion magazines everywhere.

  • Angie

    It started here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHlJODYBLKs&feature=player_embedded nLook to the right, then watch the whole video for fun!

  • Getting good looking models to sport a ridiculous looking fashion doesn’t make it any less ridiculous in my opinion.

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