Brogues/oxfords for spring: Which one? - YouLookFab Forum

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Brogues/oxfords for spring: Which one?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

After seeing Angie sporting her fabulous silver oxfords, I decided that I really want a pair of light footwear for spring. I have ballet flats, heels/pumps, a pair of blue Converse (Chucks), and Nike sneakers. I think a pair of high vamp flat shoes are in order!

I love Clarks shoes. They are very comfortable and not too expensive. The Hamble Oak style comes in lighter colors for spring, and I'm wondering which one would look best with my style: Mushroom, nude or white? I would love them to act as transition into fall, too, because our spring is so short, and I will not be wearing these very much during summer.

Your opinions in regards of versatility, durability, leg line, pairing with skirts/pants - which pair would you prefer for me?

#1 Mushroom (leather) I worry that this one actually is darker than in the image.
#2 Nude (patent/leather)
#3 White patent

ETA: I've discovered that the nude pair is made of leather and patent, not suede and patent. I apologize for this! I'm adding a third version, white patent.

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Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from Ingunn

K. Period.

Veteran

Have you worn white shoes before? I was surprised by how challenging it was the first few times I looked at my beloved white boots.

I'd go with #1 for two reasons. First, my own shoes are a softer white, and I think they are easier to wear than a bright white. Second, flat finish leather with a bit of distressing is going to be a lot easier to keep up than bright white with any amount of suede. The suede is going to discolor quickly, no matter how careful you are and how much you suede-treat it. My taupe booties taught me that. I religiously doused them with suede protector and am super careful with them, but stuff happens. Like the oaf standing next to you stepping on your shoes. Then, sadness. Luckily, a little bit of worn-in-ness doesn't bother me too much.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, my first thought was that 1 would be easier to keep clean. Alternatively, you could look for something in a pale tan.

Tanya

Veteran

I would also go for #1. They seem more fall appropriate and I love the color. (I got a pair of Born oxfords last spring and they are super comfortable too).

Raisin

Veteran

I think 1 too because they would be easier to keep clean. Love the style!

shedev

Veteran

I like #1.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I am puling a blank on what light shades you have in your wardrobe. I think go with #1 if you wear optic whites, grays, taupes - #2 if you wear more cream/ivory, camel, blush.

missvee

Veteran

I'd say #1. It seems more transitional to me, being a slightly darker colour. Great shoes!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I realized that I've misled you a little. the shoes are represented quite differently on the web in regard to how light/dark they are. Do you think the Mushroom color actually is a light brown? The Nude is more beige than white, I think. Is that good or bad? I've just discovered that there is a third option, pure white in patent! That would be really fancy, no?

Tina.b

Veteran

I think both of these are gorgeous and versatile. I think it depends what look you are going for, #2 reads a little more feminine to me. For myself I would choose the second pair because they would be very low contract with my skin tone (I'm very pale) and I think they would look great with a skirt. I'm also very weak for patent. But you can't go wrong with either pair, great choice!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I agree that you can't go wrong with Clarks - they are an incredibly comfortable and well made shoe. And personally, I love that you've posted these because this could be a local option for me versus the lovely Skylar's that I really wanted but are only available internationally.

Like you, I'm worried that the mushroom colour could end up looking "dirty" or "muddied". I love either the beige or the white. I think you need to decide if you want to go for lower or higher contrast when choosing between the two colours. I know that Angie and Inge have commented that white shoes were all over the runway for spring so I'm leaning towards the white for you, as long as you're comfortable with your feet being "obvious".

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooh - Manidipam bought these shoes and says they are great! Hers are in a darker colour, of course.

Like Rae, I am forgetting what your summery toppers look like and white lighter colours you tend to wear. To tell you the truth, I don't think you could go wrong with any one of these!

#1 might look better with blue jeans (though it is hard to say for sure). #2 or #3 might be better with skirts/ dresses for your skin tone...though again, it would depend on the colour palette.

Can you bring a few home and try one before the final decision?

Jjsloane

Veteran

They all look marvelous, but it will depend on the color with your skintone for me. I'd venture that #2 might be most neutral. White patent is fun, but could venture into hospital worker shoe territory quite quickly, but maybe the patent will save that? Sorry really no help here.

K. Period.

Veteran

Plus, if you are wearing them without socks, white patent is stiffer and may be more irritating than suede or flat leather.

Carole

Veteran

This is over my head, Ingunn, but I'll look forward to seeing the final decision. Having darker hair and features and larger feet I have shied away from light /white shoes. But I can see how any of these would work so well in your fantastic wardrobe.

Raisin

Veteran

Now I prefer #3! I don't know if they are too fancy, but I like them solid, rather than with shading. Though I do think the shading will help hide dirt and scuffs. You can't go wrong here!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

My first instinct was #2 or #3 but I think you need to try them on your leg and see how they look. I think with these white or off white shades you really have to try them on and see how they look and how you feel.

Thistle

Veteran

Are any of these colors nude to you? For my very pale skin, I would choose #2 as mushroom is still too dark to be nude to me. Yeah, I know, I am really that pale. I would go with the one closest to nude for you, with the second option being the one closest to your hair color for book ending.

Sarah A

Veteran

i really like 3 best, but agree the patent will be stiffest and that type leather could be harder to wear barefoot. I think the softness of 2 is nice, i think the #1 looks a bit pre-distressed which I dont care for.

catgirl

Veteran

Oh, I love #1. It's like RATE white. But is that you?

Nadya

Veteran

I adore #2 and think it would be versatile...but they're all very nice!

Agnes

I like the nude ones. I have few nude/ natural leather items and I find it goes with almost anything.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you for stating valid and sound advice here!

Rae: I wear optic white, cream, taupe, not blush (so far). No camel.

This is really hard! I can see all three versions working with various items in my wardrobe, but of course, that is not going to happen. I like #1 because it is more rugged and dressed down, they are the best choice for a transitional shoe, and like Suz mentions, I believe it would be the best choice with my jeans and some pants. Most, actually. Not for my skirts and dresses, though, but am I really going to wear brogues with my skirts? I think of that as a girly style with short twirly skirts, and that's not me. And also, I'm not RATE, as Una asks. I like #2 because they probably are the most versatile of the three versions, but then again I'm in the process of weeding out beige from my wardrobe, and they are after all beige! From the pictures, I think I prefer the white shoes. White shoes would require some guts, and I'm not sure if I will feel comfortable wearing them or not. I guess white shoes *could* look very stylish with jeans, skirts, and cropped/rolled pants.... but they can also look out of place...and are they more suitable for my imaginary lifestyle?

Ack. I'll have to visit a couple of stores and have a look for them to try them on. It might be too early yet, and often they only stock one version, but I don't dare ordering these without seeing them in real life. The fit is no problem, because my daughter has the AW version in tanned leather. They are very nice, too. I tried hers and need to size down half a size.