hey not suggesting that you were going to add your personal opinion just wanted to back up the previous posters that it is done and done quite often i can't even speculate as to the origin docksiders are worn without socks primarily because when used for their original purpose i e sailing one wouldn't want to wear socks you're just going to get them wet loafers probably were just a continuation of that trend i'd like to find out for sure and find some sources for that i agree it is definitely a us trend i probably would find it strange if it hadn't been a tradition since i was very young if you want to read more about the eccentricities of american dress at least the conservative preppy kind i'd recommend flipping through the preppy handbook by lisa birnbach originally written as quite tounge in cheek it has been taken seriously partially because although a parody it's quite true i most respects