Following the stride of politics aficionado Oliver Haugen in the bright socks of the season.

By Darius Goldman

A Renaissance Man

Shirt: Zara; Jeans: Gap; Sock: Le Chaussetier; Shoes: Banana Republic; Sunglasses: vintage

Im not insensitive to a good pair of socks, but I never felt comfortable buying a bright sock until my girlfriend bought some for me.

Edouard Balladur served in the French government for 15 years, climbing the ranks from the Secretary General to the Presidency to Prime Minister from 1993 to 1995. And as one of the most powerful men in France even Europe Balladur could take a few fashion risks. He would often wear red cardinal socks, purchased from an Italian papal tailor, to match his perfectly tailored Savile row suits. Outgoing Prime Minister Franois Fillon is also known for his red socks, perhaps influenced by his predecessor Balladur and his English wife, Penelope Clark. While those in government have adopted the bright red, men on the Parisian streets have been leaning toward an even more open approach to their under-footwear. FrenchAmerican Oliver Haugen shows us the ropes. Mr. Haugen finds himself a bit between the old guard and the new. At thirty-five years old, he can still remember an era before the personal computer and the cell phone. He still appreciates the baggy fit of the 90s, but fell in love with women in midriff scarf tops. Though he loves jazz from the 1920s and crooners like Frank Sinatra, he still has a nice collection of Radiohead, Coldplay, and even a few songs from the Black Eyed Peas. Somehow, it all fits. His friends call him a real chef in the kitchen,

a space that is also kept painstakingly organized and clean. Though books are stacked on shelves, against walls, and on tables, you cant say his 6th arrondissement apartment is cluttered. The man is known to sing in tune when the occasion calls for it. Well-traveled, Haugen has lived in New York, Geneva, London, and now Paris. And as a policy analyst with a background in international affairs, some would call Oliver Haugen a Renaissance man. He says hes just well-rounded. His wardrobe reflects his past, a bit of everything from each decade. He sheepishly points out a pair of baggy jeans that are not of this era. I silently agree that the slim fit is a better look. While he doesnt do much clothes shopping, he does make room for a few, quality purchases from time to time. His most recent acquisition? Following his French brethren, Haugen has taken to bright socks. Purchasing socks was never a purposeful action for me... up until recently, that is. It was always very utilitarian, similar to buying milk, or eggs, or even butter except at a lesser frequen cy. They are something I usually pick them

Opposite page, Shirt: Danyberd; Trousers: Sandro; Socks: Le Chaussetier; Shoes: Paul Smith; Sunglasses: vintage

Shirt: Danyberd; Pants: Sandro; Socks: Le Chaussetier; Shoes: H by Hudson

u p at a shop if they are on display. At the same time, Im not insensitive to a good pair of socks, but I never felt comfortable buying a bright sock until my girlfriend bought some for me. I never thought I could pull it off. To have just become a sock connoisseur, one would never know it by the look of his sock drawer. Haugen definitely has enough colorful, bold socks to last him a week or more. But I guess that depends on how often he changes them each day. I assure you, I choose one pair for the day. If it were me, Id have a problem choosing. Its a trend that sees more and more traction each day among Frenchmen, but one that was already well underway in the rest of Europe. Most wellknown for their bright and quirky footwear are the English and Germans who take any opportunity to play up an otherwise dull business suit. A quick look over to street style photographer Scott Schumans The Sartorialist reveals plenty of stylish men with under-footwear preferences. While many are taking a sans socks approach, others have seen another pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, or rather the more colorful options on the spectrum. Even the New York Timess Claire Cain Miller and Nick Bilton have noticed the trend, albeit in 5

For a man like Oliver Haugen, the statement sock is a harmonious complement for a man who likes his understated dress while his qualities surely are not.

the country of tech start-ups, Silicon Valley. In a land where the uniform jeans, hoodies and flip-flops is purposefully nonchalant, and where no one would be caught dead in a tie, wearing flashy socks is more than an expression of your personality. It signals that you are part of the in crowd. Its like a secret handshake for those who have arrived, and for those who want to. So for a man like Oliver Haugen, the statement sock is a harmonious complement for a man who likes his understated dress while his qualities surely are not. Right now, Im happy to wear colorful socks. I gravitate towards the more garish now, like the red, orange or purple, which arent even colors in my regular wardrobe. Its a nice contrast to the khaki, grey, and blue that currently represents the bulk of my closet.--

Opposite page, Jeans: Zara; Socks: Le Chaussetier; Boots: Banana Republic