Which of these two shoes to get? - YouLookFab Forum

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Which of these two shoes to get?

K.M.

Veteran

I'm still on my quest, more broadly for wardrobe happiness, more narrowly now for the perfect shoes. (I realized that a lot of my outift issues come from not having the right shoes to go with the clothes I already have.)
I posted about oxfords a while ago with a huge range of choices, and got great feedback, but now I'm down to two. Which one you think looks most up-to-date? Which might be more versatile? And finally, which one you think will stay in fashion longer...? (Or should I ask which is more classic-looking?)

PS. I am more of a straight-leg, bootcut, and flared trousers person. I would like to wear these with pants, skirts, maybe dresses.

Børn Womens Naleigh Wingtip Shoe Sandal

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16 replies

Latest reply was from K.M.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I'm still interested in hearing more about your aspirational style and what you need to achieve in terms of work / home clothing?

It's easier to comment on the longevity of these shoes and how they would work for you in that context.

IMO these oxfords have a nice heel, and are classic but somewhat staid. It seems to me that the oxfords that are on trend this season are a bit flatter, usually with some interesting design feature (e.g., patent, two-tone.)

cjh

(website)

Veteran

More up-to-date, #1, as the menswear oxfords are seen a lot recently.
More classic, #1, as they are classic wing tip style.
HOWEVER, #2 does read classic to me as it can give a retro vibe of different eras, notably 20's-30's, or even back to late Victorian.
More versatile, #2, as I can see it worn with skirts much more easily than #1.
More feminine, #2.
More casual, #1.
More RATE, if at all, #1.

Agree with Ummlila that they are both rather staid. Good word.

Good luck! Can you order both and try them with your clothes? I know which ones I would pick, but I have lots of oxfords and kind of know the genre and what suits me.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I think #1 is awesome and classic -- not staid at all -- and #2 is a bit frumpy.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I also think that the angled-y heel in 2 gives a slightly more feminine vibe, while 1 is a classic wingtip with a block heel. So 2 might look more current for a while but then look dated, while 1 is a bit staid (in a fabulous way IMO) but won't look past-trendy as quickly. I'm with CJH, I'm not *sure* I can visualize 1 being worn with skirts as easily as 2, but might look better with pants.

rachylou

Veteran

I find #1 more current and fashion forward, and #2 more feminine and safe.

My choice would be #1. I feel many more people would appreciate #2.

Thistle

Veteran

I like them both. #1 is a bit more masculine and #2 a bit more feminine. Both fine choices depending on what you're going for. Between the two, I would choose the more comfortable one

Echo

Veteran

I agree that both are somewhat staid, and neither leans fashion forward. As others have mentioned, the second is a more feminine style with a classic women's heeled oxford look. The first is definitely more masculine.

The first would go better with trousers and jeans, while the second would probably look more feminine with a dress. I suppose you could juxtapose the first with a skirt or dress, but that tends to be a look people either love or hate, and it would depend which camp you were in.

As for which I'd choose? If I HAD to, I'd probably go with the first, but I'm not terribly fond of either.

K.M.

Veteran

You are all super. You picked up exactly on my reservations about these two shoes--the Fidji has a whiff of frumpiness and the Born is a bit staid. The suggestion of ordering both is great and would help me determine the most comfortable option and the best one for my wardrobe. I just have to get used to the idea of charging my card above my desired budget with the thought of a later return... I know it is the way of the world now.

I haven't actually found my ideal Oxford. I wanted a pointier toe, pointier even that the Fidji here (which is more of an almond). The only ones I've seen like this have much higher heels than I can wear.

The Born also appeals to me because in the 80s I had an ultra-beloved pair of burnished wingtip Oxfords (flat, with a cool transparent sole). Much cooler than anything I've found, though it might be my nostalgic memory goggles.

old chic

Caveat: I am really biased in favor of wingtips. Those and cap toes both always seem to me to add that extra dimension of style. That said, neither of these options seems to meet all your criteria, and I don't think you should settle.
Wondering if you've had a look at Zara's current offerings? Have you considered two-tone "spectator" oxfords or even somewhat off-kilter two-tones like the pointy toes, below? They seem more fashion-forward.

Patent Toe Bluchers

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Fringed Leather Bluchers

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Braided Blucher

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Metallic Brogue Blucher

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crutcher

Veteran

Sorry I am late to the party...I wasn't overly impressed with either shoe...I am not sure how long this look will be in style...If having a shoe hand around for awhile is not a concern, then I would probably look at the Born, l...I also like the style of the Zara that OC just posted...Best..

K.M.

Veteran

old chic, I had not seen the Zara ones and they are beautiful! Number 1 and 2 in particular appeal to me and are closer to what I want. And you're right that I feel that I'm settling a bit with the Born or Fidji; maybe that's why I can't decide on either.
I love wingtip detailing and love the detachable fringe on the second Zara!
crutcher, I like my clothes and shoes to last a long time. Years and years, sometimes over a decade if in good shape. So I don't want to get a model that will look very outdated soonish...

K.M.

Veteran

PS UmmLila, I keep forgetting to reply to your question about my style aspirations. Partly because I'm still struggling. I have a sense of what I like and want but I haven't been able to find images (I started a Pinterest board and it's almost empty...). Not sure how much words help. I'm looking to recover the clothing sensibility I used to have before I became a mom: feminine, dressed-up but not formal, with BoHo silhouettes; a bit of 70s; 2000s was a happy decade for me. I used to wear lots of skirts and dresses year round (A-line, or silky and flowy); knee-high boots; pointy shoes with slim mid-heels; bootcuts; sweaters and tops with special details. The occasional tucked-in jeans/boots. Lots of burgundy, purple, dusty rose, pink, red, black, some brown. I've always loved fun and whimsical prints. Interesting but delicate necklaces. Lots of scarves. Not sure if this adds up to a cohesive concept to anyone but me.
In terms of footwear, I used to have two stretchy pointy booties--some cheap things from Impo bought at DSW--one in black, one in burnished brown. They were surprisingly comfortable and went with everything. I have been pining for something similar, ideally in lighter colors or with interesting texture, but I might be late to the season or maybe the pointy boot is not a popular thing right now.

unfrumped

Veteran

You might want to look at Paul Green, though they are spendy. I have to "diet" in other areas for them.

I find I have a very picky eye for these types of shoes on me with skirts and can't do an true oxford with bare legs. Maybe the size of my feet, maybe the high contrast, whatever, I have poison eye. So for skirts I skew toward more tapered dressy versions, and mostly with tights.
But for tapered or straight pants worn scrunched over the shoe, or for bootlegs covering up the shoe like a shootie, I prefer wingtips.
So I can't really ever pick from photos alone, I have to try them with everything.
Although you ideally want to do side-by-side, you can order one and see if it even comes close or leaves you unimpressed, and then decide if you need to compare.

Paul Green 'Courtney' Leather Oxford (Women)

$339.00 $203.40

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Sal

Veteran

KM, I do know the look you described, I wore this type of thing a lot around 2005-2009 I think. It was quite a detailed look, with scarves and pretty bracelets, skirts with motifs, or stitching, tops with gentle ruffles. But it was not too girlish.

I think you are on a tight budget, and I am in NZ so now the most in touch with US retailers, but Anthropologie has this type of look.

http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....=FEATURES-...

http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....62174421#/

http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....5514.jsp#/

Now I think the prices are quite high, but I wonder if this type of look will help you think about the direction you want to go in. I think pieces like this could be thrifted, or bought from cheaper places as well.

I may have it completely wrong - let me know either way.

In terms of the shoes, make sure you buy a pair you LOVE. When on a tight budget I think each piece needs to be something that you adore and are happy to wear and wear.

Missey

Veteran

Frye makes amazing oxfords...I own a couple pair. Very classic styling and wear like iron!

Frye Erin Oxford

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Frye Carson Oxford

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Frye Maggie Woven Oxford

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K.M.

Veteran

unfrumped, the one pair of pointy ankle booties I found that fits my bill is a Paul Green! They look awesome online and get rave reviews for comfort. But even with a "diet" in other areas, they are outside of my range, at least for now. These oxfords you posted here are fab.

Kiwigal, when I was typing my style description, especially the part on the tops and sweaters with special details, I actually had Anthropologie in my mind! I had a lovely pink cache-coeur sweater from them, which I wore to shreds. I love their stuff.

Missey, I was wondering about Frye. Thanks for sharing these. Their oxfords look good but heavy or chunky--or perhaps it's just my impression from the pics? I have relatively long feet for my height, combined with thin short ankles, so if I wear chunky shoes I look like an "L".