Ladies, socks or not with Mary Janes?

I totally agree with Andrea. If you have long pants, the mary janes will look acceptable with socks. I have 2 pairs of Keens which I love and I never wear them with socks. They absorb well and don't leave my feet feeling sweaty. If you find you must have socks, go with the pedi's-but only if you can't see them. I loathe the look of pedi's creeping out for all to see. Either way, you will be so happy you have them. Nothing like a comfortable shoe when traveling!

Socks are okay with long pants. Otherwise, get some of those ped type socks that you can't see when the shoe is on. I find that I usually prefer no socks. Try the shoes different ways to see what works best for you.

I would try them with and without. I am a sock hater, and personally don't even own a pair, yet when I travel I always buy and pack socks because of the whole "walking a zillion miles over cobblestones" thing. And IMHO, Mary Janes could be really cute with a fun sock! No, not piggies or frogs... but maybe a discrete argyle? Or if a ped-type sock, maybe fishnet?

People will only stare at your feet if you are. See what is most comfortable for you and do it. Locals really don't care much what the tourists are wearing. just my opinion . . .

Yes, the footies (peds) - if you can find them - will work fine and so will knee-highs and cute socks. I'd be afraid to get blisters without wearing something. Depending on if you're going to a hot climate, I'd definitely pack a pair of open, comfortable sandals you can wear barefoot.

If you do the peds type sock, be absolutely certain they are thick and fit you extremely well, so you don't have the lost ped in the shoe bit to deal with, or one that keeps slipping off your heal. I've been guilty (alert the fashion police) of wearing shoes with socks (even black socks with little tiny flamingos all over them) when wearing a skirt while touring. Note, I did have a pink top on that day (to match the little flamingo friends....I swear they were very subtle...LOL). Mind you, I would not be caught dead that way at home........but, when I travel and am walking over cobblestones, climbing hills, etc. AND when I know I will not want to deal with blisters or tired feet, what the heck...I leave my vanity in the suitcase. I wear the basic leather Arcopedico shoe.....so while not a Mary Jane, very similar. When cooler weather allows, I love to wear black tights with my shoes, then if I sneak a pair of black socks over the tights to cushion my feet, they are sort of hidden. When I'm in shorts, such as in the Cinque Terre, I don't give it a second thought.....definitely nice thick regular socks. Only your vacation photos will remember how funny the sock/skirt combo looks :)

Ok, thank you all for the advice! BTW, we are going to Ireland and England and I am taking a pair of Wolky sandals, Dansko black tennis type shoes and the new Keen Mary Janes. I know, three pairs!!! (This may change after I start the packing process.) I took the Keens on a long hike in the woods behind our house today and wore them with and without thin smartwool socks. Thus far I have to say they felt comfortable both ways. I just wasn't sure if socks would be OK fashion-wise with this type of shoe! I think these shoes are going to be a winner though as comfortable as they seem. Only time will tell....it seems the shoes are always the hardest to figure out.
Happy Travels Everyone!!! :0)

Keens are the best. Wear with socks if feet are cold or wear without if feet too warm. Must say none of my 4 pairs of Keens has ever caused a blister or rubbed places or been bothersome in anyway. Got some Keen sandals on right now and just in from hiking up to the Griffith Observatory in the dark with my dog. Daily sojourn. Enjoy the comfort of the shoes! Have a wonderful visit.

Dear Jaye: I have 3 pairs of Keens sandals. I've worn them in Italy with moisture wicking socks (I got the quarter crew) and without when it got too hot. Nobody cared, looked or pointed. In fact, one merchant thought the Keens looked great and was planning to order them online. The socks did cushion my feet and prevented chafing and blisters, very important on a trip. If you might possibly wear yours without socks, I suggest you tuck in a small nail brush. I was astounded how dirty my feet got without socks. Have a great trip!

Get socks the color of your pants or shoes that you will wear. Not for the look/style but so you do not get blisters and tired feet. Looks is secondary while traveling. Happy feet/non tired is imperative!
If Peds work for you then great , then you will have the look also.

I just purchased a pair of Dansko mary jane clogs for our upcoming trip to Italy where we plan to do lots and lots of walking. Upon buying them, I asked to try on some of the ped-socks (or as I call them, "low-risers" ;-), and they worked great. Only slipped off my heel once in the 2 miles I walked home from the store. I bet if I put em' in the dryer, they'll shrink to the perfect fit! They're made by Umberto Raffini. Cost me about $5 a pair. I think they were worth it, only because with the style of shoe I bought (clogs) your heel is supposed to lift out of the shoe as you walk. Its easier for my heel to do this without socks on. Figure out what's most comfortable for you and go with it :) kate

Congrats on the Keens. You'll love them. As for socks. With pants ok. When you want the no show look, try smart wool. Last year they had a pair that were thin enough to not be bulky and had a small Toe cap. Even though they were minimalistic they stayed on.

I have Merrill Mary Janes. I have worn Smartwool socks with jeans in Istanbul in April. Nordstrom also has socks called I Used to be a Bottle. They come in a pack of 5 and have a variety of colors in each pack. I would take some socks in case it is rainy or as mentioned, you may want socks in
case the cobblestones create a sore spot on your feet.

Thanks again everyone who took time to answer!! Really do appreciate it! I only wear smart wool socks when traveling (worth the money to me and really help prevent blisters) so will be taking them along and will look for some peds to try as well. I only pack pants (no skirts or dresses) and when I wore the mary janes with socks and pants it looked fine (to me anyway) as you could hardly notice the socks. So nice to know I can also go "sock-less" on warmer days though. Looking forward to our trip soon and seems like you are all right about the Keens (so far, so good). :0) I also agree with everyone about comfort being the number one priority for shoes but if you are able to find style also, perfect!! Happy traveling all!!!

Jaye, I bought smart wool peds at REI to wear with a pair of Merrell mary janes. Worked okay, but they tend to slip a bit more than my other peds.