The Allure of Red Socks

When you first learn how to do the laundry you’re taught instantly to fear anything red. Specifically, red socks because of their sneaky nature. Everyone has their own rolodex of laundry mishaps and the red sock is a common one. It goes like this: red socks + laundry = light pink. It’s as though we lose all sense of control when it comes to the idea of red socks.

I’m willing to risk it all if the possibility of pink clothes is the worst outcome. My favorite Jesse Kamm pants are this “washed-with-red-sock” color. The idea of a seemingly boring outfit with red socks comes close to perfection. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve found that wearing red socks channels the same kind of confidence many get from wearing a fancy pair of heels (which I cannot do without deeply humiliating myself and those around me). Like high heels, a well styled pair of red socks says “I have it together.” And since having it together in 2020 seems comical, there is no better moment to give red socks a try.