How to style brown brogues with skirts (mainly sock related)

[FirstDayonthePlanet]

I’m buying some flat tan coloured leather brogues to wear (primarily) to work, on the basis that they’re smarter than trainers but still should be comfortable to wear.
i mainly wear skirts to work, but am considering what…sockwear?.. to wear with them/how to style them. All the pictures seem to be sockless/hidden socks which I don’t want to do. I also don’t think they’d look right with black tights, or am I wrong on this.

What socks would you wear with these with light/camel/cream coloured skirts?

if it’s relevant the internet suggests my style is ‘light academia’. I wear for work fine knit jumpers, textured skirts, midi or knee length, tweedy jacket.
Also do wear trousers but socks not so much of a question here.

Ive attached 2 photos:

1. screenshot of style of shoe but basically as described above.
2. mood board of some actual items of clothes i own that I’d be looking to wear with both in work or otherwise.

In all honesty the ‘Marjorie, companion of Joan’ look is kind of my vibe!

Thanks all some useful suggestions here, I hadn’t thought of sheer tights + socks I like that idea, solves worrying about bare legs.
and these are giving me the confidence to try some knee high socks for the first time since school. Looking forward to it.

m&s seem to have some sort of sock related discount at the moment so I’ve ordered a few varieties, including argyle ankle socks, some plain ones, cable knit! And a pair of knee highs. Thanks everyone!

Why would you buy from M&S when there are so many better places, though?

(I wear brogues / loafers / ankle boots with skirts or dresses all the time and am happy to be guided by runway looks and the styling on my favourite clothes sites.) But just for socks look at:

https://thecambridgesockcompany.com/

https://www.corgisocks.com/ (the men’s section is better)

https://communityclothing.co.uk/

https://www.drakes.com/

https://www.margarethowell.co.uk/ (tiny selection but lovely muted colours)

😂 I love this description

I think socks, skirt and brogues will either look frumpy or achingly trendy in a Shoreditch type way. I suppose the latter is marginally better

I think Marjorie and Joan had just got stuck in the Utility style of their youth! It was incredibly practical and favoured hard-wearing materials, so they probably didn't see the point in rushing to keep up with rapidly changing post-war fashions 🙂

Ok fine, as a compromise I have bought brown suede loafers and heeled tan brogue boots (both off Vinted). Marjorie’s going to love them.

I’m afraid the loafers are (originally) from M&S, soz.

The loafers are ok.

I daresay you could find

Grenson footwear

on Vinted.

or

Lanx

Yes, these photos are similar to what I wear.

I really like this look.

Look can we stop with snobbery about where im buying things from.
I’m buying what I can afford, which is second hand stuff off Vinted. I do try to find real leather/natural materials but linking me to fking £500 shoes and saying things like ‘why would you buy M&S?’ As if it’s unthinkably rank@FourFiveEightNine is rude and a bit tone deaf.
To me M&S socks is splashing out and I’m excited about what I’ve ordered. I’ve not actually asked for your critique of my inferior quality lifestyle.

Socks sound too cold for this time of year, maybe in March. Woolen tight all the way, burgundy might be nice.

For extra warm you could get the thermal tights that look like sheers
https://amzn.eu/d/cmFojX8

there are various shades and they are very cosy.

I like your new boots, OP! (So does Marjorie.)

I like those brown suede loafers but I too am clueless about that style of shoes with skirts. (I think I'd wear longish skirts with ankle socks but I don't think that'd work for me with midi skirts.)

I am VERY fond of a jazzy sock though - John Lewis often have good pairs in their sales. And if you're ever in France or Italy then Calzedonia is great for these (hosiery/lingerie chain).

Which better places are there then for same quality and same or lower price?

I say embrace the frumpy/Marjorie and her 'companion' vibe!
I love a longish skirt with brogues. And your existing miniskirt would look quite beatnik with dark tights.

I'm intrigued by the suggestion of knee length baggy socks; what does that look like? Pics please!

OP don't give up on the brogues! I wear skirts and dresses (wool in the winter) with brogues, often with frilly socks (shock, horror!). I'm not a child nor from the 40s but I do love dark academia and a variety of Japanese styles. Also, as someone who is short and with chunkier legs but slim ankles, a flat shoe that is cut low on the ankles (brogue or otherwise) is more flattering/slimming then a heeled shoe/boot that cuts off the ankles.

And to answer your original question, I wear lace, frilly, patterned socks over 40-60 denier tights. Obviously this does cut off my ankles but I'm not always bothered by it 😉 I also wear the tights with the nude coloured fleece lining inside, with or without socks.

Genuine question re knee socks and culottes - what happens when you sit down?!

I keep trying my culottes with pointy knee high sock boots which looks GREAT when I’m standing but I get a stupid gap between culotte and boot when I sit down.

Fair isle socks would be good.