Fads: With Their Socks Off

"The overall effect," explains Lloyd Chiswick, 27, a Stanford University senior, "is studied but complete nonchalance." Says a Princeton junior: "The whole thing is wrapped up in coolness, in both senses of the word." They were talking about the most widespread fad on U.S. campuses, which is not to wear socks—not with sneakers, loafers, sandals or even brogues.

At Harvard, going sockless is to the "preppy-clubby" set what the armless sweatshirt is to the athletic crowd. Northwestern Student Leader Skip Mylenski wouldn't have thought of attending the homecoming dance at Chicago's Edgewater Beach Hotel any way but bare-ankled. Columbia University...

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