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Dutch deny 'war on white socks'
Dutch Finance Ministry officials have denied world media reports that they have declared war on white socks.
The reports suggested that white socks were banned after being labelled as "transgressing the limits of decent dress behaviour".
A spokeswoman told BBC News Online the comments were the personal opinion of a senior official, expressed in an interview in a staff magazine.
But she revealed that the comments were not controversial at the ministry - in fact, many people shared the view.
"Our opinion is that everyone has to dress according to occasion, and the employees at the Dutch Finance Ministry have a good dress sense", she said.
White socks, particularly under suits, would be seen as a style crime in many parts of the world.
One British computer expert who used to work alongside Dutch academics revealed many of them were firmly attached to their white socks - some even flaunting them beneath half-mast trousers.
"Imagine, suit trousers or snow-washed jeans, with white socks and dress shoes - a dress code disaster of monumental proportions," he said.
"Even I know that and I am not exactly a fashion statement myself."
The Dutch - famous defenders of liberalism - remain taken aback by the accusations that they, of all people, would ban white socks.
The story was first carried in a Dutch national newspaper, then picked up quickly by the international press.
"We are surprised by the international frenzy the story generated," the spokeswoman said.
Dutch Finance Ministry officials have denied world media reports that they have declared war on white socks.
The reports suggested that white socks were banned after being labelled as "transgressing the limits of decent dress behaviour".
A spokeswoman told BBC News Online the comments were the personal opinion of a senior official, expressed in an interview in a staff magazine.
But she revealed that the comments were not controversial at the ministry - in fact, many people shared the view.
"Our opinion is that everyone has to dress according to occasion, and the employees at the Dutch Finance Ministry have a good dress sense", she said.
White socks, particularly under suits, would be seen as a style crime in many parts of the world.
One British computer expert who used to work alongside Dutch academics revealed many of them were firmly attached to their white socks - some even flaunting them beneath half-mast trousers.
"Imagine, suit trousers or snow-washed jeans, with white socks and dress shoes - a dress code disaster of monumental proportions," he said.
"Even I know that and I am not exactly a fashion statement myself."
The Dutch - famous defenders of liberalism - remain taken aback by the accusations that they, of all people, would ban white socks.
The story was first carried in a Dutch national newspaper, then picked up quickly by the international press.
"We are surprised by the international frenzy the story generated," the spokeswoman said.
