Sock-less Shoes for Summer

Going sock-less this summer? I can give you some tips on how to do it right. It takes a little training. 
The Europeans have been going sock-less since shoes were invented, however here in America we tend to be a little less daring. Going sock-less can be not only comfortable but a very sexy look. There are those who think that a bit of ankle showing in a man can be very sexy.

Here are some basic tips that will make it a better experience for you:

Wash your feet: The reason why your shoes stink when you don’t wear socks is because a bacteria called brevibacterium that eats the dead skin that sheds off your feet. This is what creates that awful smell. So wash your feet well with an anti-bacterial soap - most soaps are - scrub your feet with a terry cloth and make sure to scrub well between your toes. This will get rid of all the dead skin.

Make sure you do the basics: Use cedar shoe trees and don’t wear the same pair of shoes every day. Sweat will soak into the leather of your shoes, and if you don’t give them time to dry out, you’ll not only wear down the leather faster, but you’ll also stink up your feet more.

 Know when you can go sock-less: You can go sock-less for any occasion except formal business affairs, For the most part, avoid wearing socks with shorts unless they are ankle socks or you are one trendy-hip-cool-cat who wears knee socks. Also know what types of shoes go best with a sock-less look: boat shoes, loafers, moccasins, saddle shoes, bucks, chukkas, tennis shoes and even Oxford shoes. Boots are the only shoes I would not wear sock-less.

Put something in your shoe: Unless you are one of those people whose feet don't sweat, you need to put something in your shoe. Talcum powder. I use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. Sprinkle freely inside the shoe before putting it on. The powder will absorb the sweat and any smells associated with it. Terry cloth insoles. Kiwi makes a good one and you can buy them at any Rite-Aid, or CVS type stores. No show socks. These are those short little feet wrap - my name for them - that go up to just below the ankles.
 Know how to get rid of odors: You can always throw sneakers or any canvas shoe in your washing machine - but leave the room cause it is quite a noisy experience. You can also do the ancient remedy of stuffing the shoes with newspapers and leave them out in the sun. But my favorite is Odor-Eater Sneaker Spray, which is fast efficient and a very easy process.

I hope by now you have all the information you need to go out there wearing sock-less shoes and feeling empowered and sexy. If you have never done this give it a shot, see how you feel, then come back and tell me all about it. I'm curious to hear how it goes for you!