"Dirk Wears White Sox" is the debut studio album by English new wave band Adam and the Ants, released on 30 November 1979. It was the first album to top the UK Independent Albums Chart when the chart debuted in 1980. The album was created by an early lineup of the band, which disbanded shortly after its release. Guitarist Matthew Ashman and drummer David Barbarossa went on to form Bow Wow Wow, while original bassist Andy Warren left to join The Monochrome Set.
The album's title is a reference to British film icon Dirk Bogarde. Adam Ant described the album as his attempt to make a "Donna Summer record," influenced by soul and funk, despite the final sound being more post-punk. The music blends punk, glam, and minimalist post-punk elements, featuring bizarre imagery and themes of alienation, sex, and brutality. Songs like "Cleopatra" and "Never Trust a Man (With Egg on his Face)" became staples of Ant's live performances throughout his career.
Dirk Wears White Sox is considered influential in the development of the gothic rock scene, with critics noting its angular, brittle style and connection to bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees and Gang of Four. Despite its sometimes awkward fusion of genres, the album remains a cult classic in the post-punk and new wave movements.
