The Oxford: shoe of the season
September 4th, 2007Last season was all about the ankle bootie; this season is all about the Oxford. Once again it’s not quite a pump and not quite a boot, but somewhere in between. I thoroughly enjoy fashion trends that take a masculine silhouette and give them a feminine twist. This sassy lace-up is the perfect example and forms part of the androgynous trend you’ll be seeing more of as the season unfolds. Ideal for knee-length dresses, skirts, skinnies, suits, jeans and wide leg pants, the old-school Oxford will give any Autumn outfit a completely new and hip edge. If you fancy the style, it’s definitely the shoe to make an existing business casual wardrobe pop.
This particular ped is a 70’s flashback. I remember my late mother gliding through the streets of Hong Kong in a mushroom suede and patent pair much like the Steve Madden Oxford Pump (top left below). How she strode through a bustling city in shoes like that with children in tow and crowds to dodge remains a mystery. Impressive. As soaring heel heights continue to trend, my fashion hope is that this somewhat conservative looking “it” shoe comes out with a conservative heel height. A stable 2-inch stacked heel would be fab. My eyes are peeled!
September 4th, 2007 at 7:29 am
Love ‘em. These are officially on the “fall, business casual, shopping list.”
September 4th, 2007 at 7:57 am
I do hope I can find a version of these with a lower heel. I like the girly feel to these sturdy shoes.
September 4th, 2007 at 8:02 am
I found a pair from Etienne Aigner called “Nada” with a 2-inch heel in brown or black leather. They look pretty cute online and likely won’t leave me hobbled by day’s end, but they sold out really quickly. I’m hoping the manufacturer ships more!
September 4th, 2007 at 8:54 am
I Love these shoes!! Would a cute saddle shoe be a nice comfy alternative or am I way off the mark?
September 4th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Ok… I love these shoes… but tell me how to wear ‘em.
Are they for trousers/slacks only? I just can’t imagine them with a skirt.
And what type of sock/hosiery would I wear? Or do I go bare-legged in them?
September 4th, 2007 at 10:24 am
These shoes are extremely versatile once you’ve gotten use to the look Morgan. I would not propose wearing them bare-legged. They need a trouser sock or hose. They look fantastic with skirts and dresses…but your eye might need to adapt to this style first. It’s quite a change to what we are used to. I like semi-opaque or patterned hose with these shoes best. Sturdy shoes look good with heavy hose. This is an ultra fashion forward look and definitely not for everyone.
If the hose and skirt idea is too daunting for you to begin with, stick to wearing Oxfords with jeans and slacks (both straight or wide) instead. They’ll function just like a pump or ankle boot.
I shall have a squizz at the Etienne Aigner “Nada’s” Jennifer - thanks!
September 4th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Angie, check out Naturalizer’s Retrolook.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Not my favorite trend, to be honest… but out of all the ones I’ve seen, I like the bottom left and bottom right the most (or dislike them the least). I think it helps to have the wider ribbon rather than the thin laces - it’s much more feminine. The colors are also better since they’re not the usual black and/or white.
September 5th, 2007 at 4:12 am
I thought that we were getting sensible with flats this season! Oh dear-I guess I’m destined to be unfashionable in the shoe department-After 11 years in combat boots my feet don’t even do 2 inch heels, no less anything soaring. . .. I guess I’m in my Dansko Clogs again this fall
September 5th, 2007 at 4:58 am
HOW CAN I WEAR THE OXFORDS WITH JEANS…WHAT SORT OF TOPS?
September 5th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Those shoes bring back some memories! We called them Spectators back in the 80’s. I don’t think it’ll take long for these shoes to become popular. They are familiar enough to help people get used to looking at them. I like the ribbon lacing too–it’s a nice update to the style.
September 9th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Macy’s/Bloomingdales carries a pair with a shorter heel (2″ or so) by Alfani… in lovely black patent leather!