In comparison to our female counterparts, menswear can be viewed as rigid. To some, the stoic tradition that defines men’s fashion is what keeps things on an even keel. For others, these rigours serve as creative license to unsettle what seems to be the norm. I say all this because I’m noticing a rebel of sorts within menswear that would leave the staunchest traditionalists livid. However, for the longevity of men’s fashion, I think this break with tradition can be healthy. Or maybe not. Well, you be the judge as I share with you some recent avant garde encounters and sightings that had me shook.

So a few weeks back I was on the board of interviewers tending to a candidate for an entry−level business position. To our bemusement, the young man walked into the interview with fully exposed white socks paired with black dress shoes!?!? Bewildered does not begin to describe how I felt at such a fashion faux pas. However, what had me more puzzled was the fact that this young lad had the audacity to attempt such fashion brazenness in a setting this formal. Experimenting with sock colours is one thing, but at least wait until you land the job. Only then can you slowly inject personality through your dress à la Steve Erkel if you must.

Afterwards, I got to thinking: was I antiquated or had visibly sporting white socks with dress shoes become trendy overnight? I’ve been under the impression that the Michael Jackson “Beat It” era had been vanquished, but when three is a trend (and men are boldly entering interviews with black lace−ups complete with white socks), you have to start reprogramming your style schema as to what is and isn’t acceptable.

On that thought, I embarked on a bit of trend spotting and low and behold, peppered throughout cities far and wide, a revolt was in place on the established order of sock wearing. The streets are definitely talking and they are all for white socks and black dress shoes. Judging from these four looks, it’s safe to say their foray into the sartorial unknown is largely personality driven, with the odd dollop of style. In that sense, pardon may be granted to them for their subtle channeling of a nerdy élan.

However, my run in with white socks and black lace−ups was utterly unacceptable and left me unconvinced at the growing fad. But then again, who’s to say that the interviewee wasn’t emboldened by the same forces that spurred these four men to opt for verve at the expense of sartorial traditions. Even if that was the case, there’s a time and a place for the instinctive quirk in one’s style to surface and the boardroom is not one of them.

That being said, I’ll give it a couple months and revisit these pictures and see where my stance lies on the matter. I guess in the department of socks I’m what you would call one of the traditionalists that are yet to be won over to the whimsical ways of the new school. Sticking to conservative blacks, grays, browns, and tans has left my sock collection rather void of a crotchety style. Then again, in reference to the quandary at hand, I’m well aware that pairing white socks and black shoes steers clear of the bootee phenomenon (when you’re socks match your shoes hence there being no demarcation between where shoe ends and sock begins). However, when I see white socks worn with black lace−ups, I can’t help but envision Michael Jackson and his flailing legs bedecked with sequined white socks (yes, check out the “Beat It” video to relate to this mental imagery). So if anything, I believe come two months I’ll still be in agreement with the Style Guy in saving “your white socks for your white suit and white shoes.”

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Fortunately, these perforated lace-ups come in enough whimsical styles and colors for your imagination to run amuck. For instance, the dark fashions of winter would mesh well with the jet black anthracite richelieu shoe while the beige and cocoa hues of the navigator richelieu shoe are a go for those summery months.

Now there’s no reason why one could not wear these perforated lace-ups with socks. Nevertheless, throwing caution to the wind and experimenting with inept colored socks is sure to produce a double dose of eccentricity that may be too much to pull off or for onlookers to stomach. For starters, the perforated nature of the shoe is enough quirk so playing it safe in the sock department will suffice. In the case of the anthracite richelieu, a traditional black on black works best. On the contrary, I personally would do away with any socks when wearing navigator richelieu. Featured in Louis Vuitton’s summer 2009 catalog, the navigator richelieu’s design coupled with the tan colors screams tropics and promenades where stuffy socks are definitely not welcome.

With all this said, as partial as I am to see socks worn with lace-ups, I have to say these perforated shoes are far more striking when worn sockless. Even though I’ve elaborated on the ways socks can be paired with these perforated shoes, judging from the SS09 Louis Vuitton’s men show, they were made to be worn sans les chaussettes!

Louis Vuitton anthracite richelieu calf-leather shoes ($975) and navigator richelieu suede calf-leather shoes ($675) are available at LouisVuitton.com.

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Kanye West. Rapper, producer, blogger and now footwear designer. Whichever way you slice it, Kanye is serious about making his mark.

On his blog, he’s offered up an exclusive preview of one of the sneakers from his latest collaboration with Louis Vuitton. Apparently, Kanye has designed six shoes for the brand. Pricing details aren’t available as yet but we do know the collection will be released in June. What do we think of the first instalment?

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With the ever increasingly popular high-top sneakers, Dolce & Gabbana’s multi-coloured metallic high-top suede kicks are the epitomy of style and comfort!

$325 available for pre-order at Saks.com

BePositve, the new shoe brand from renowned Italian footwear outfit, Slam Jam have released their autumn/winter 08 collection which is in stores now. The aesthetic is classic meets athletic (thus pleasing in more ways than one) as a leather Oxford lace-up is rounded off with a sporty white rubber sole.

The admixture creates an added dimension to the slightly amped-up but casual styles that are highly sought after. The Oxford Leather (pictured above) and College Leather (see images below) are the first two styles to hit the ground running and are available in three different colours.

Be Positive AW08 is currently available at Tokishirazu (more retailers are expected!).

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Keds, in partnership with Zazzle, have thrust the consumer into the drivers seat with this first of its kind program that allows, you, the consumer to embellish your Keds Champions, in either the classic lace-up or slip-on canvas styles, with personalized graphics.

Sentimental artwork, illustrations and texts that speak to your individual style can be uploaded and unfolded onto the shoe as though it were a canvas (pun intended)! What’s more, did I mention that these self-made designs could profit you a dollar or more through the Zazzle “marketplace” feature?

But if calligraphy, drawing or art, in general, is not your forte, don’t worry, you can still get in on the action. Keds offers a wide selection of basic colours plus a bevy of pre-made designs by artists such as Rebecca Babcock of Lucky Magazine, Sarah Singh (also affiliated with Lucky Magazine), Gen Art artists, among others.

So if you’re momentarily lacking in creative inspiration as we speak, move quickly on these limited-edition designs because a new artist or designer will be featured each month.

The Keds Studio will be offering five styles of Keds Champions for women and kids (sorry chaps, we’ll just have to wait our turn) that are free to be bejeweled in whatever you fancy. From lace-ups to slips-ons and even mini slip-ons, Keds have ensured that you have the pick of the bunch for as low as $50 to $60!

Head on over to Keds Studio or Zazzle to start customizing now!

Is it an appeal to a different market, perhaps? If so, I didn’t know skate culture was one to embrace the coveted gladiator sandal. Or maybe Pharrell has put them up to it!

But as I stare at this contraption, I’m flushed with a bit of unease and affinity. For starters, how is a skateboarder buckled into this mélange of board and sandal to execute an aerial skateboard trick like a heelflip? Hang on…before we even speak on executing a jump, how does one kick-push into motion if you’re already saddled up in the gladiator sandal?

Functionality is definitely a downer here, but aesthetics-wise, this Greece is for Lovers (GIFL) skateboard slash sandal does offer some strides. Once you overcome the idiosyncrasy of seeing a gladiator sandal on a skateboard, the board’s ochre leather finish will move you to appreciate the craftsmanship that’s gone into making this contraption.

However, let’s backtrack to reality and truth be told, what GIFL has designed here is for a league of facetious skaters who want to dabble in the sport for flippant, showboating purposes. No professional skateboarder—let alone a fashionista/o type—in their right mind would pick this up and I think GIFL knows this. Using wisecrack lines like “Strap on this leather beauty and pose your cred away” as a marketing ploy is a dead give away that this is all in fun!

With the negatives outweighing the positives, it’s a good thing that GIFL has tagged this mishmash of skateboard and gladiator sandal as a made to order purchase because I don’t see any takers.

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When the gladiator sandal sashayed down Chanel’s resort 2007 collection, a new mania was heralded. But with all this hype, fanfare and brouhaha over women and their newly beloved gladiator sandal, where do men factor in? The flurry of sprightly coloured and drab sandals Miu Miu sent out for their SS07 men’s collection paled in comparison to Chanel’s Amazon-like footwear . And as the gladiator sandal trail blazed its way into the closets of women, men were in a chasm of sorts, stuck with the fashionably faux-pas plastic flip-flop and the odd Miu Miu sandal.

Fast forward to today and men can now clamour for the so-called gladiator mandal, or man-sandals, at very affordable prices too. Topman and HE by Mango carry some urbane gladiator mandals that effectively blot out the femininity that surround this style of footwear. Here are our top 3 picks.

1. From cargo pants to safari jackets, khaki colours are best suited for the summers and Topmans tan gladiators (£30) can consummate a casual khaki ensemble in a flash. What’s more, the Topman sandal really embodies the gladiator feel with the volume of straps that contour the forefoot.

2. Versatility, however, comes in the form of the black leather HE by Mango sandals (£17). Dressing in a black-on-black manner seems to be a styling prodigy this summer so why not throw a fitting sandal into the mix.

3. Styles other than the gladiator sandal are available for men and Kurt Geiger’s patent leather sandals (£60) won me over. The wooden soles of the sandal would make for added durability for the urban dweller plus the tangy orange hue is a pleaser for those who love to be noticed in atypical fashion.

It’s not just the style that surrounds gladiator sandals that has won me over (even though that plays big part), but the health benefits the shoe confer on the wearer.

Style-wise, going for a sandal that has an ankle strap of some sort will only flatter, accentuate, and draw admirers to the physique of your ankle/lower leg.

As for the health plugs, the ankle provided is unparalleled to rubber flip-flops. Moreover, the spongy sole of most flip-flops allow the foot to roll upon hitting the ground thus exacerbating the pressure on the foot.

So if it’s for the sake of health, style, or both, please do away with those flip-flops, put your best foot forward and you can’t go wrong this summer!