Nobody requested it but I voluntarily talk about things I have obsessively loved in this series. Today, I would like to write about my love for crazy socks. 

I’m trying to think when this love started. 

When I was a high school student, the word “joshi kosei”, a highschool girl, saw its peak. The baggy and long white loose socks and short skirts of school uniforms were the symbols of joshi kosei at that time. 

I remember there was a sort of peer pressure to wear white loose socks and blend in with the other school girls who were dressed the same way as you do. Although the pressure was uncomfortable, I didn’t hate wearing them. But one day my friend and I found the black loose socks being sold and I couldn’t resist buying them. I believe I’m the first one who started wearing black loose socks in my school or even in the city of Hiroshima, which by the way became trendy afterwards. 

It was extremely pleasant to be a bit different from others. So I started trying different colors as well. The acceleration for the love of socks continued. 

I strongly believe that socks and shoes are the key point of fashion in general. That’s why I spend so much money and time looking for crazy socks. I keep buying new ones and keeping old favorite ones even if they got holes. Once I love a pair, it’s not easy to let them go just because they are ripped. Still wearable. The holes are not visible if I wear shoes anyway. 

That’s why the drawer where I keep my socks is always full. More than full. I sometimes need to take everything out and organize them. Today is the day.

I love sock shopping when I travel overseas. I love wearing a simple dress and vivid socks that stand out. There should not be any rule of choosing the right socks for the right fashion. This society is very demanding when it comes down to the right clothes for formal occasions like business. I feel that pressure as well but I don’t want to forget to rebel by wearing crazy socks all of the time. 

I have a thing for crazy stockings and tights as well. I might write about them next.

Tomoko kakeda