Dilemma: Should I replace these brogues? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dilemma: Should I replace these brogues?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I have a pair of oxfords/brogues from Clarks which I bought in Spring 13. (#1). They have a light brown color ("mushroom") and a somewhat distressed finish. Almost from the beginning, I've regretted not buying the cognac brown ones instead (#2), as I like the warmer brown color better, and I also think they will hold up better to wear and tear. I don't reach for the mushroom colored ones as much as I would like. I imagine the cognac ones are more versatile.

I'm very torn on this. I love the style, and I think it works great as a transitional shoe in Spring and Autumn. I need a non-sneaker flat shoe for work, and they fit the bill. But the colors are not far apart, and this will naturally set back my budget for other purchases.

What should I do?

Yay=replace with cognac oxfords
Nay=keep the mushroom colored ones

I appreciate your advice and collective wisdom, ladies Thanks!

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Ingunn

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

If it is to bookend your hair and to go better with your wardrobe colors, I can see the point Ingunn. Funny, I just ordered a pair of Clarks oxfords to try and they are a taupe color but I think that may bookend my hair and go with my cooler (of late) color scheme - those were my big considerations.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think the cognac might bookend your hair better, no? And I can see you wearing them more often, somehow. Question: if you did not reach for the mushroom often, did you feel the lack of footwear options then, or did you always have a shoe to serve the purpose in the spring?

How about dyeing the mushroom ones?

Would that perhaps work?

Another issue: do you wear the mushroom ones as a near nude with skirts? The cognac would not serve that particular role.

Nicole D

Veteran

I like the taupey mushroom colour, but you aren't really getting as much use of them as you could... I like Suz's idea of dyeing them. Won't affect your budget as much. Do you have any other cognac footwear?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Tex, I think the cognac brown works a lot better for me than taupe brown, so this is my main consideration. I also love it a lot more for autumn.

Suz, I have the stone colored booties, and I have white Chucks, but I was missing having a neutral flat leather shoe on some occasions. I'm not pleased with how the mushroom shoes look either. The finish has worn off some places, and they look more rough than I am happy with.

Regarding dyeing: I looked into that a few months back, and I would definitely try it if it works. The SA I talked to wasn't confident that I would be able to get the color right, tough. I could probably have more success with a black dye.

Nicole, I don't have any cognac footwear besides a pair of tall boots. That is part of the reason why I'm interested in this "upgrade".

catgirl

Veteran

I actually love the mushroom color! I just ordered a pair of cognac oxfords but I find cognac a difficult color. Am hoping to shake up my black and grey with it. I think the two colors serve different purposes. There's your enabling!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote get the cognac too - and throw in a cognac belt.

Anonymous

I wonder if a cobbler could advise you best on possibly changing the color of the mushroom pair. My dad once darkened a pair of tan shoes with brown Kiwi shoe polish, applying the paste polish liberally, letting it set for a day or overnight, rubbing and polishing, then repeating until he got the color he wanted. I wonder what cognac polish would do, but you would need to be willing to permanently change the mushroom color and it may not come out the way you want it to. Otherwise, I'd go for buying the new pair if you are sure that they will get lots of use.
ETA: I just saw Angie's reply and was thinking about a belt or bag or both in cognac to be outfit completers.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Una, I love cognac in accessories. My cognac boots got a lot of wear last winter. It works so well with my neutrals, both navy, gray and black. And white and red, too!

Angie, as in get the cognac ones and keep the mushroom ones anyway? Tempting! I agree that a belt should follow suit. I had a look at this one from J Crew today - what do you think?

Joy - I really want an even color, and I worry that the uneven color on the mushroom leather will show through. It could also work really well, though. It would be a better use of what I already have, too. Thank you for explaining how to do it! I have cognac leather messenger bag, and I'm thinking of adding a belt, like Angie suggested.

Laurinda

Veteran

Just for inspiration, here is a DIY example of dyeing olive shoes a dark pink from Sheila of SheliaEphemera (via Already Pretty). She 'antiqued' them with an overdye of navy, and they did end up with some color variation. It may be difficult to get the color even, but the variation could also make them look richer.

Best of luck with your choice.

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Niefern

I actually like those mushroom Clarks (and I have had very good experiences with this brand, confort and quality), but if you are not using them ... Yes, replace.

Sal

Veteran

It depends how tight/fixed the budget is.....if it is not too tight I think you would get good wear from the cognac boots and should upgrade. You could sell the mushroom ones to recap some money if you wanted.

Good shoes/boots can be very pricey here in NZ and I normally budget for three pairs a year (outside running shoes). It might be two in summer one year and one in winter, or one in autumn, one winter and one summer depending on my needs.

Tanya

Veteran

I really like the mushroom oxfords, but I understand that the color does not quite work for you. How devastated woudl you be if the dye job turned out badly? If not too much, then I would try to dye them first. If it does not work, then I would buy a new pair in cognac.

Suja

Veteran

For what it's worth, I have this issue with *two* pair of mushroom boots I bought. Mushroom just doesn't work that well in my wardrobe and with my coloring, I learned the hard way. I will be replacing one pair of booties this year with a cognac version and just making do with the other.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes. Keep both sets of oxfords, Ingunn. Good for your climate. And thumbs up on that fab belt.

Anonymous

As an admitted shoe junkie and a lover of oxfords/brogues, I am with Angie! Keeping both was going to be my suggestion too. I think they both look versatile.

Deborah

Veteran

Ingunn, the mushroom ones are just gorgeous but I really see cognac as working so incredibly well in your wardrobe that I think you need them

Anonymous

I should've said having both, rather than keeping. If only I could think and type at the same time! But again, I love both and think they'd both be worth having/keeping/getting, lol.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I've done this in the past, too--regretted the color I bought in something once another came along that was better for me. In fact, I just duplicated tall boots in olive that I already have in black. But the olive isn't a replacement, just an addition. Anyway, I would just get the cognac ones, because you already are wanting to wear them! And if you weren't overseas, I would say, send the mushroom brogues to me--I'd buy them from you--because they look like a great color for me!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Brilliant - sell Firecracker the mushroom ones and buy cognac!

deb

Veteran

I say keep the mushroom pair.

Deb

Veteran

We all occasionally regret some of our choices.....I'd say buy the ones you love. Cognac is truly a versatile and classic colour and this style has stood the test of time. I have an interesting pair that I bought in Italy about 20 years ago and I still enjoy wearing them sometimes. The mushroom colour may not be your absolute favourite but I'm sure they'll be a perfect match for certain outfits.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone! You've ben very helpful. I've decided to order the cognac ones because oxfords are a great spring/autumn shoe for me. I've tried loafers as an alternative, but they don't appeal as much to me, for some reason. I love them on others. I will put the mushroom ones in a holding zone until next Spring, and if I don't feel them again then, I'll donate them to one of my daughters. Between the four of us, we already own four pairs of this particular style from Clarks, in black, stone, cognac and mushroom I'm sure one of them needs an update to their scuffed ones by then.

viva

Veteran

Donating to the daughters is a perfect solution, Ingunn. So glad you decided to get the cognac.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Viva. I just placed the order. Fingers crossed for a quick delivery!