YouLookFab Forum » Topic: the oxford hunt continues

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: the oxford hunt continues https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 01 May 2026 02:38:26 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Firecracker (Sharan) on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1344151 Mon, 01 Sep 2014 00:48:24 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1344151@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That's a cool idea, Caro. Thanks! I found <a href="http://www.planetshoes.com/item/fly-london-yif/24010/mk0" rel="nofollow">these</a> and thought I might try them. They have a platform and wedge like those Clarks I like, but they are in an olive brown color that I think would work well for me. Somehow, dark olive seems to bookend with my brown-gray hair in a way. I'm also thinking about the Halogen ones (gray laceless) that Angie suggested. The comfort level may be higher on the Fly London pair. Thoughts, anyone? Caro in Oz on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1344123 Mon, 01 Sep 2014 00:14:08 +0000 Caro in Oz 1344123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love those monk straps What about zips? J Crew - sorry can't get the add photo to work. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.jcrew.com/au/womens_feature/NewArrivals/TheTop25/PRDOVR~A9822/A9822.jsp?srcCode=AFFI00001&siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-g7s*Oz8t3uH/192dXOjYJQ">https://www.jcrew.com/au/women.....e=AFFI0000</a> Firecracker (Sharan) on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1343376 Sat, 30 Aug 2014 19:21:40 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1343376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ unfrumped, you give me such good food for thought! I like the idea of trying laced oxfords without the laces. You know, as much as I love the look of oxfords, you'd think I would go for loafers, too, right? But I have two pairs of loafers that don't really earn their keep. Whenever I put them on, I feel they need a more structured look than what I want to wear, whereas I feel oxfords can mix more easily with more styles of clothes that I wear. I don't know why I haven't latched on to the more feminine looking lower-vamped oxfords, either. Perhaps it has something to do with how they look on my high-volume feet? unfrumped on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1343191 Sat, 30 Aug 2014 13:28:55 +0000 unfrumped 1343191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wise Angie on the lace less style. I have worn the heck out of laceless Kenneth Cole oxfords, but that shoe is a fairly pronounced brogue style and may have been a half size too large when wearing without real socks. So I have treated it more like a bootie and wear with pants. I may order the lace less style you showed, in part for the smoother vamp for pant leg interference. The Riekers also have potential for a heeled look. But notice hoe most oxfords are shown with laces hidden and not with a bow! Hmmmm! With a high volume foot you may be able to wear a " laced" style WITHOUT the laces, as Angie showed. It is easier with elastic gore, but otherwise would just depend on style& foot. Anyway, I'm learning that in some cases I need less distraction and Minnie Mouse look. I still think you might like lower vamp. Have you played around with loafer styles, with an inch or so heel? This gives a different vibe from ballet flat --sort of in between girlie flat and Oxford. Firecracker (Sharan) on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1343030 Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:59:11 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1343030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie, thank you! These are great ideas. Those Daphnes by Halogen are at the Nordstrom nearest me--I will go try them. Love the color. I passed them up because they lacked laces! Ha ha ha! (And they looked stiff.) I have also been drawn to the monk strap styles that are suddenly everywhere. I tried on Sam Edelmans but didn't like the metal by the heel--picky or what?? Angie on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342543 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:47:16 +0000 Angie 1342543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here are a few ideas. I know that the style from Nordies is quite comfy.  Firecracker (Sharan) on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342515 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:27:13 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1342515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ cjh, those Free People oxfords are so cool! Thanks for the link. I haven't seen anything like them before. I think the tan color might be a little off for me. But next to them on the page were these: <a href="http://www.freepeople.com/flats/rogue-darby/" rel="nofollow">http://www.freepeople.com/flats/rogue-darby/</a>  I do like your Borns. They have some similar ones out this fall, but only in black and brown so far. cjh on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342413 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:37:36 +0000 cjh 1342413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here are some non tying oxfords that I love. <a href="http://www.freepeople.com/shoes/interweave-rogue/" rel="nofollow">http://www.freepeople.com/shoes/interweave-rogue/</a> Does this seem like an option? I think you were wise on sending back the stark black ones. However, black patent is the way I went to add a feminine touch yo black oxfords. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Born-Womens-Ashleigh-Patent-Oxford/dp/B00B4IMFQE" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Born-Wom.....B00B4IMFQE</a> Firecracker (Sharan) on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342327 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 04:55:21 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1342327@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks, Alana! Hey all, here are some more finds. Any thoughts? Alana in Canada on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342325 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 04:50:19 +0000 Alana in Canada 1342325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I haven't a thing to add except to say I love oxfords. I had no idea it would be a difficult thing to choose. From the discussion, it sounds like you need the most feminine oxford you are comfortable in. I wish you good luck and happy hunting! Firecracker (Sharan) on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342320 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 04:27:33 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1342320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Donna, I didn't find the Clarks narrow. I did find them a little shallow, I guess you'd say; I took the larger of my two sizes in them, to get my foot into them with my high instep. They were quite comfortable. The sole didn't feel as rigid as, say, a Dankso. But it was firm. And I do feel like Goldilocks! DonnaF on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342291 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 03:49:37 +0000 DonnaF 1342291@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I find black oxfords super masculine so I think you'll be happier with a non-black.  The Clarks intrigue me because I need a rigid sole.  From the photos, they appear very narrow.  Did you find them to be narrow? Oxfords are nice because they can provide a lot of support.  But doesn't the search make you feel like Goldilocks? Firecracker (Sharan) on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342282 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 03:20:41 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1342282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Aha! Caro."Another eclectic here who needs to get the masculine/feminine balance right before things work." Hmmmm, masculine/feminine balance. Caro in Oz on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342222 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 02:04:22 +0000 Caro in Oz 1342222@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Another eclectic here who needs to get the masculine/feminine balance right before things work. I realised I can't do most oxfords as they create a heaviness that doesn't work with my clothes. I bought the black shoes below last autumn & the CPW is down to pennies. I've just bought the nude ones for spring & hope they are as versatile. Good luck - when you find the right ones they will be workhorses, I'm sure. Firecracker (Sharan) on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342192 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 01:06:31 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1342192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Aida, I appreciate the commiseration. It's good to know I'm in such fab company! Thanks for your thoughts on the styles. I agree metallic would be great. I wonder if one can have too many metallic shoes. ;) Of course, Angie, be my guest and rock it! Do you have any particular ones in mind? I have actually been skipping over laceless styles because I thought they might not be as comfy or easy to fit (less adjustable over my high instep). There's a laceless pair at Nordstrom right now --and in stock at the store closest to me-- that I did not try because of no laces, and the leather looked a little stiff: <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/halogen-daphne-slip-on-women/3738432?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=DARK+GREY&resultback=2770&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-8_10_B" rel="nofollow">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....rt&co</a> I did return the Paul Green pair and re-ordered it in truffle. Another Paul Green shoe labeled the same color in the store looked like a promising color for me, so we'll see. Angie on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342166 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 00:35:49 +0000 Angie 1342166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sharan, sorry to rock the boat. May I suggest a laceless pair?  Aida on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342143 Fri, 29 Aug 2014 00:08:46 +0000 Aida 1342143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As a fellow ecclectic I get how tough it can be to find the right oxford. I don't think I can provide much insight except to empathize and say that oxfords are hard. I have SUCH a hard time with them for myself! My one pair is a darker muted olive, and while I love the style I have found they don't get worn much because I prefer to wear them with non-pants that show some skin... and I like low contrast footwear. I now have white oxfords on my list for next spring For you, I love how you rock your metallic footwear. I like the idea of pewter for you but less in that brogue styling the Earthies have and more like the VC one JAileen linked. Firecracker (Sharan) on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1342046 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 22:02:03 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1342046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ unfrumped, I agree with you on color. I need to keep my eye on the pewter/taupe-ish ball! Also, I may not get to the point of being comfortable with skirts and nude legs with flat oxfords, either. I can barely do it with ballet flats, and that's only recently. una, I did see those Fidjis. I was afraid they might be too much like my Seibels, which I'm just not liking the looks of on me--but perhaps not. I wish the Fidjis were more taupe or silvery and less black. JAileen, thanks for responding. It's something about putting less strain on the tendon. I have inserts, too, and they work for shoes that have pretty flat insoles. (Mine are Superfeet heel inserts, though I also have the full Superfeet inserts that I wear in my running shoes now.) Oh, and I like those Vince Camuto shoes--I haven't tried them, because it sounds like the run narrow. Jen, thanks for your thoughts! Anonymous on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1341995 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 21:10:46 +0000 Anonymous 1341995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think you could rock them all. Of course, I like both masculine and feminine oxfords and a lot of variety in colors. Of the ones you have pictured I really like the Clarks and think they are not at all too trendy for you. Of the ones you were wearing, I like both but prefer the pewter ones for seeing details on the shoe and for versatility. JAileen on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1341992 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 21:04:10 +0000 JAileen 1341992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here's another pair of oxfords I like: <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vince-camuto-nilee-flat-women/3716786?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Black+Patent&resultback=1112&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_3_A" rel="nofollow">http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....ts-_-1_3_A</a> JAileen on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1341984 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 20:56:24 +0000 JAileen 1341984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That's interesting, I never heard about needing to wear shoes with elevated heels. I had PF about 15 years ago, and use my inserts whenever I'm going to be doing a lot of walking. And because of that I haven't had any problems since. catgirl on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1341983 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 20:56:14 +0000 catgirl 1341983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Have you seen these Fidjis? <a href="http://www.zappos.com/fidji-l734-black-metallic-grey" rel="nofollow">http://www.zappos.com/fidji-l7.....allic-grey</a> unfrumped on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1341979 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 20:54:50 +0000 unfrumped 1341979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think softer neutrals are your frien in shoes. I have not been able to develop a. Oxford + skirt with nude legs look that I will wear. I will wear tonal tights , and pants with foot or ankle showing. But I have to look elsewhere for my nude leg footwear looks. You are much more slim and leggy so I'm not saddling you with that- just my insight that something was not working. Firecracker (Sharan) on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1341913 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 20:16:27 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1341913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Una, good questions. I do not do all-out androgynous or masculine. When I wear my boyfriend jeans, for example, I usually pair something a little feminine with them or I feel too tomboy. I would like to wear oxfords with skinny cords or jeans, chinos, possibly with my harem pants (is that asking too much??), skirts (I have pencil skirts and more a-line or flowy ones, so I'm not sure how well they'll go with oxfords of any type?). Here are some finds and photos. Lisap, you may not think you're helping, but you are. Mulling through the considerations helps. JAileen, thanks for your experience with the Earthies. Do you find flats hard to wear at all? I'm finding lately, after having plantar fasciitis, that a little lift in the heel works best for me, and these feel pretty flat. But the arch support is nice. I would need to reorder the larger of my two usual sizes (the ones I got are the smaller of the two, and they feel too small in the toebox). Sarah A, thanks for your thoughts. Your style is similar to mine, and I recall you wear oxfords nicely! Sarah A on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1341858 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 19:41:27 +0000 Sarah A 1341858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wish I more than 3 seconds to respond. I like the Earthies... pewter I think is better than black in that it gets the menswear vibe but is less harsh (and for me a key is it doesnt actually look like I just bought some clearance mens shoes... which I used to do pre-YLF, yikes!) On the Earthies, they need cord laces. The ones pictured at 6pm look too athletic. That and the eyelet grommets may be what is throwing you. That casualizes the look of the shoe IMHO. I am a fan of the Earthies footbed for on your feet all day comfort if they are wide enough for you. I also like oxfords for your style. I think they work with the arty draped peices to bring structure and an unexpected fun element. There were some pewter Cole Haans like Angies silver ones that are lovely (my sister has them), maybe could be found at a closeout or ebay? ETA: WOW! I am obviously feeling direct today too... LOL :) ETA2: there was a link from a post of (I think museumgal or E) not long ago to a shoe company with great looking oxfords, with stacked leather soles. I think molded plastic the sole of the Earthies is not looking quite intentional in brown color with the pewter upper which could be perhaps be the sense you have about it too but cant put your finger on). JAileen on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1341857 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 19:35:15 +0000 JAileen 1341857@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have the Earthies. They're pretty comfortable. The leather is very soft. I think they're darker than in pictures, though. I got them when I went grey last year. Anonymous on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1341853 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 19:27:47 +0000 Anonymous 1341853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lots to consider here.  I'll start with saying that I find something weirdly appealing about the Clarks. Maybe. I wonder about how current that platform look really is though , but I agree, sometimes Clarks hits one out of the park. I love the colour and detail, have to think more on the sole. And as far as the other pictures go, I admit I don't; know which is which. And from the top, they look pretty similar to me. I recognize a shape difference in pi 5 but don't know what we're looking at. You may have hit on something with wondering if the oxford is really your look to begin with.  I'm obsessively searching too, and have yet to find anything that is just right.  Gee, what I'm saying here is really of no help at all, is it? Of them all, my picks for you would be the Earthies metallics. You work with that muted taupey pewter shade well, and this coloration goes with pretty much anything.   catgirl on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1341850 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 19:23:14 +0000 catgirl 1341850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There are so many small variations in detail with oxfords. I do not like the femmed-up ones as much (ribbon laces, girly heels, retro shapes) because that is not my style. I think for you it's harder to pin down because of the eclectic factor. So what outfits do you intend to wear WITH the oxfords? Are they flats or heels outfits? Do you want contrast (ie skirt with oxfords) or congruity (all out androgynous/menswear)? I own four pairs of oxfords because I love the style, but my most versatile pair is this oxblood flat slip on pair I'm wearing today. They have a high vamp, which suits me, no laces to fuss with, and are a neutral for me. Plus they have a low heel. We need to find your version of this! Firecracker (Sharan) on "the oxford hunt continues" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-oxford-hunt-continues#post-1341844 Thu, 28 Aug 2014 19:14:35 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1341844@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A lot of you have looked at oxfords I've tried out and given me advice, <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-treatise-on-the-oxford-hunt" rel="nofollow">here on the forum</a>. The hunt continues! Mulling it over with you here has given me a little more clarity on what will work for me, I think. Some of my inability to find the right oxfords may stem from the fact that I really don't know what I want, specifically. A positive way to look at this situation is that I'm open to different possibilities. The characteristics I want are 1) comfort, as in an all-day shoe for wearing to work, where I'm on my feet all day. For me, comfort will ideally involve decent arch support and probably at least a little bit of a heel or at least not a negative heel like the one arty pair I had a crush on and then returned. 2) style that will play well with my wardrobe and that I find appealing (this is the hard part, since my style is generally "elegant eclectic"). I'm drawn to the menswear styles that continue to be popular now. I brought home the black Stuart Weitzman wingtip from NAS but had to return it because it was too narrow. But I wonder if the menswear look is really me? I seem to crave it in shoes, oddly, and I do like boyfriend jeans, but otherwise, I'm pretty much a less structured dresser. One rubric that resonates with me is Moody Arty Draped Glam (MAD Glam). Does "Oxford" even fit with that part of my style? 3) a color other than cognac. I have a pair of oxfords in caramel, and I don't need another pair in that color family. I had in mind black, to replace my black Josef Seibels, until you all made me realize I could actually replace those with another color option, like metallic. A gray/taupe is always a good option for me, too, with my hair. Or a cool olive would work. Or espresso brown or perhaps wine?? Not navy--I wouldn't wear them enough. My latest attempts are finds 1 and 2 below: pewter brogues (Earthies, Treviso) and black brogues (Paul Green, Addly).  I am returning this pair of Earthies for sure, because if I did keep them, I'd need another size. But I'm also not in love with them, though I SO love the Idea of them (comfort, menswear but a little different, and pewter!). I think they're an odd shape; am I being too critical? The Paul Greens I do love. They are a beautiful rendition of ladylike menswear wingtip, with a slight heel (1 1/2") that still gives the look of a basically flat shoe while elevating the heel just enough to flatter the leg. After I ordered them, they showed up in what looks like a dark taupe ("truffle," it's called--find 3 below), which I think I would prefer to black. What do you think? Will they play with a wardrobe that is often a little drapy and arty? Or should I go for something really different, like the Clarks (find 4 below)? The burgundy looks a touch lighter in real life. I tried them on and they are super cool looking. I really like the idea of a platform; to me, they look like they could be a much more expensive designer shoe. Sometimes Clarks comes out with a really inspired shoe, and this strikes me as one of them. I will say that if this shoe came in a subtle metallic version, I'd be all over it. Here are some photos of the shoes on my feet. (Did not photograph the Clarks, which I tried on in a store.) 1-5: Paul Green Addly and my current Josef Seibel comparisons. (one on each foot, in all photos) 6: Earthies Treviso 7-9: Earthies Treviso and Paul Green Addly comparisons (one on each foot, in each photo). What are your thoughts? Would the Paul Greens work for me, style-wise, and if not, why am I so drawn to this look? Are the Clarks more me? Are they too trendy for my style? There's an oxford by Think! on Nordstrom's website, and my Think! shoes are probably my most comfortable ever. But the oxfords just really don't appeal to me much, unless the photography is just very deceiving. Thanks in advance for your ideas on this perplexing search.