Born Arletta: K/ R?

RunnerChick

They feel amazingly comfortable. Worth every penny. But I'm afraid they look a little jazz shoes. I know my ankles are skinny and I probably will not wear them with skirts or dresses. What do you all think?

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

13 years ago

Urgent

12 replies

Latest reply was from RunnerChick

Marley

Veteran

Hmmmm . . . the lace looks like a ribbon - is it? That may be contributing to the jazz look of the shoe. I have seen black oxfords that are a little more substantial (that is, clunky - thicker sole and heel) - which I think are more attractive than these!)

13 years ago

Krista

Veteran

Would you be willing to post a photo of them with a pair of pants you might wear them with (ooh, that's terrible grammar there - sorry!)? It's tough to make a judgement with a bare leg...

13 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Well, I like them - they're very similar to the Miz Mooz Histerics that a lot of us have purchased. I just posted recently about dyeing mine, but that's only because as a blonde, I have trouble wearing all black shoes. I wear mine with skinny jeans and trousers.

13 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I have a pair just like that (less the laces). And I do wear them with dresses sometimes. In fact, I wear them even with formal dresses. They are the best shoes to wear to get to a formal event in winter (ice and cobblestones and such) and then swap into heels once you get there. Or not. Because they have kind of a "thing" which is adorable with formal dresses and tights. Unexpected menswear/super girly combo look.

So give them a try. Dark tights and your most girly-girl dress.

13 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Like very much in principle but need to see outfits as a whole to really see how they work. Would wear them with dresses for sure.

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I've admired these on Diana but I personally prefer my oxfords to look like men's shoes - in fact, I had a pair of men's wingtips in law school that I wore with everything. It really depends on your personal style, I think.

I love the Frye Carsons and they have some other cool versions of oxfords too...

13 years ago

shedev

Veteran

I have Borns that look like these, but they are more of a pewter than black. I wear them with pants. I love mine.

13 years ago

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I have them in brown. Wear them all the time with dress slacks for work. I admit I would probably not wear them with jeans or skirts, but I have lots of shoes. Long ago I left behind the concept of having all purpose shoes.

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have a similar pair -- actually Born but another style that's even more "jazz shoe" because I wanted a very lightweight Oxford for summer. Mine are a sort of champagne metallic, which I like much better with skirts and shorts for the low contrast with my pale legs (I find it hard to wear black high-vamp shoes with shorts or skirts). In fact I wore them yesterday with a sleeveless blouse and a skirt for a casual errand day. I got compliments on them too,

However, since it sounds like you're not planning on wearing these with bare legs, maybe you could post a picture with an outfit you'd be more likely to wear with these shoes? I think they'd be cute with jeans.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I love them.

13 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Well, I have two pairs of these so you know I am going to like them. I love the retro Victorian feel of the velvet laces, but they should have come with regular laces as well - at least mine did. I have grey with black velvet laces and gold with regular beige laces. I wonder if you might prefer the grey color? It's a little lighter and more RATE. I did not get black because I wanted a more distressed, RATE look.

I wear mine with everything. Pants and skirts/dresses. They are my ballet flat substitute. I even wear them with ankle socks and a dress sometimes, although I know that is not going to be everyone's cup of tea.

13 years ago

RunnerChick

Active Member

Thanks for weighing in! I'll post pictures with outfits soon (sorry, this is a work-from-home day, and I am still in my "writing" sweats.)

I think some of my confusion might come from the fact that this is a new type of shoe for me, and I do not yet know how to style them. I did read Angie's post about flat oxfords, and that gave me some ideas, as did your comments. I hear what some of you are saying about chunkier heels and more masculine profiles, but I actually like the softer, slightly sweeter look of this shoe. I also like the velvet laces (Diana, yes, they did come with those)

Janet, the high vamp shoes in a dark color takes a little getting used to, agreed, but I have black hair and long-ish legs, so I'm feeling encouraged to try this shoe with skirts and dresses too. I think it might less flattering but more edgy, if that makes sense, and some days all ALL about the edge, flattery be damned.

Shiny - love the idea of wearing it with tights and a girly dress (that's what I do with my Steve Madden Troopas) for an unexpected twist. Plus, with black tights, I can create a longer leg line.

Diana - I'm going to look at your outfit posts to see how you have styled them. These are the charcoal color (they look less black IRL).

Thanks for all your comments - I am excited about styling these shoes, and think I am going to keep them.

13 years ago

Category