Have you seen the skinnies/flat oxfords look at JCrew?

Laura

It's featured in the new catalog (the one shot in Iceland! we have to see if Shiny recognizes any of the sites!).

The model is wearing dark wash skinnies (not Matchsticks, a new cut they have that's skinnier and I can't remember what they're calling it), plus men's dark brown oxfords, a white t-shirt, grey cardi, cream mottled wool overcoat and red knit cap.

I think she looks fab and I'm thinking of trying to imitate that look too. Has anyone else seen the photo? What do you think?

17 years ago

Shopping

37 replies

Latest reply was from hanna

Patience

Veteran

Marianne started a thread on this called "Another flat oxfords question"

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....?replies=7

Angie gave the thumbs up. I wish my computer would show the catalog online but I do have it at home.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

I really like that look a lot, but it would never work on me, so I'm staying away. Hopefully I'll get to enjoy it through some of you.

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh! Sorry! Somehow I completely missed that thread Thanks Marianne for covering it - and glad I'm not the only one who admires that look.

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

I think it looks awesome. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't work for me because I have such big feet (size 9) in relation to my height (5'3'') so I think they would just look gigantic in that look. But I'd love to see it on others

17 years ago

Patience

Veteran

Laura, my main concern with this look is being short. I think Marianne will have good luck because she's tall. I'd even buy those men's oxfords but they don't even come in my size.

17 years ago

Patience

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I don't know my fashion history very well, but I keep thinking this look is recalling the 50's-- I'm thinking sock hops, saddle shoes and ankle pants. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this look was also in the 80's at some point. It just needs that modern update like they have in the jcrew catalog.

Antje, I think having larger size foot might actually be an advantage because you can actually buy men's shoes.

Can you tell I really want to do this look too? Just trying to figure out how to make it long and lean.

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

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As with Docs, it seems the best way to find out if it works is to give it a try and post photos. I too am short, Patience. I have the feeling with Marianne's body type that it's gonna look great on her.

There's no way I can buy men's shoes either. (Boys sizes, maybe! But I don't want shoes with Spiderman decoration that light up when I walk like my son's!). The challenge would be finding the right oxfords. I already own a long grey cardi and skinnies so that part is already done.

Has anyone found an ideal pair of women's flat oxfords?

17 years ago

Patience

Veteran

Doc Martens might be an option once again:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Marte.....B0013NTPSQ

Of course they don't have sizes available.

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

Yes, I was all over this look. The only pair of flat oxfords that I have are my old Doc Martens - they are more refined-looking than regular ones and don't have orange stitching. They look like regular men's shoes, and they are also black - and I think brown works better here. Anyway, I'll try to put together some outfits to see if it works. At least maybe I can get feedback on overall silhouette. If it works, I might be able to find appropriate men's shoes at the Rack.

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Marianne, I am dying to see you in some outfits! Will be looking forward to it.

17 years ago

Tanya

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What do you all think about these shoes for this look? They look flat but there's a bit of platform which might hell elongate the leg line?

http://www.lorisshoes.com/prod.....d=LDS07039

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Interesting! And the price is right. Maybe they are worth a try? I saw some oxfords that were perfect, but they were over $300 (maybe they were Donald Pliner, I can't recall now), which made them very much not perfect

17 years ago

Patience

Veteran

I'd love some wing tips like in the jcrew catalog, but I decided to experiment with what I have in my closet (pewter oxfords and 12-13" skinnies) and took pics.

http://i282.photobucket.com/al.....G_0948.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/al.....G_0947.jpg

I didn't feel like the look was too masculine but I'm not sure my legs are long enough to pull it off.

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

Patience, it doesn't look masculine, but it looks different, I think, because your oxfords are more like dress shoes. The look in the catalog seemed more casual to me. I was actually going to take some pictures today as well when I had some downtime, but it is too dark. The weather is atrocious, so I can't even try anything outside. Anyway, I was also going to do something androgynous with the oufit, like Angie mentioned before - like a v-neck over button-down shirt.

Hmm and those brown shoes remind me of Danskos - they have a similar style. The sole looks sort of clog-like.

17 years ago

Laura

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Patience, I am so glad you posted a photo. I love your oxfords!

Seeing Patience's photos makes me realize that to duplicate JCrew's look, you need to go loose on top (a loose v-neck t-shirt, maybe even your husband's, with a long cardi worn unbuttoned). And, getting just the right oxfords is key. As Marianne said, the shoes need to have a casual feeling to them. That is not going to be easy to find.

This look is harder to pull off than I'd imagined!

17 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

I had a lot of trouble seeing the catalog - I had to open it in a different browser. I finally saw what you're talking about and it is a great look - I would have no idea how to pull it off!

17 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I can't get the catalogue to work, but I just stumbled across these Oxford-ish looking shoes (what is the actual definition of Oxfords????) I think the heel could be very flattering on these. And they're dancing shoes apparently!!

http://www.revolveclothing.com.....38;d=Shoes

Even more exciting (to me anyway) is discovering this website. Free international shipping for orders over $100 or ($10 if less than $100). That is AMAZING!! (c.f. Zappos which charges $60 for just one pair of shoes!!) Now if only they stocked those doc boots I have been craving!!!!

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

I took a couple of pictures this morning, since it's sunny. Other fans of the look, please let me know what you think. I didn't have time to get very creative with the outfits, and I hope you can see the shoes. They are my old Dr.Martens - I got them at Nordies years ago, and I haven't seen this style around since.

http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_5823.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....G_5826.jpg

17 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

Marianne - I think your shoes are slightly different than the J. Crew look, since they've got a bit of a platform or bigger sole or something - but I LOVE this look on you! Your legs look so long and lean. You look feminine, but with an edge. I really like the second outfit. How do you feel about it?

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

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Marianne - yes, the second look is getting close! I love it! Maybe it needs a pop of color somewhere (in JCrew she has that bright red hat) ... what do you think? How does it feel?

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Very interesting. I think you're all getting somewhere with this look!

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

When we're in Phoenix I'm going to try the look in a modified way, with these shoes

http://zeta.zappos.com/product.....lor/135058

my COH Elsons, a long heather grey v-neck boyfriend sweater (worn open - unbuttoned), and a loose t-shirt. Maybe I will buy an inexpensive men's white t-shirt at target.

It's kind of a 1950s look we're going for, isn't it? I think we're on to something ...

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

Thank you ladies. I think the reason I've been interested in this look is that I've been trying to identify the type of casual closed shoes that can be worn with skinnies - as an alternative to boots. I know we talked about Converse before, and that would work, but often it's too cold or too wet here. I am just not sure if the shoes have to be edgier or more exaggerated so that I don't look clueless.

Laura, thank you for your suggestion, I'll try throwing in a color. I also think the shoes you posted a very close to ballet flats, so that'll definitely work.

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes Marianne, it seems that the oxfords have to be exactly the right ones to make you look like you're doing the look on purpose - not cluelessly I wish I'd found a pair that could work but I haven't seen the perfect pair, and I'm not sure I'm ready to spend money on them anyway, since I doubt the snow will leave the ground here until March, making them impractical.

I did wonder about the JCrew men's oxfords in the photo. They start at size
7 1/2, which is too big for me even in a women's size, but do men's sizes equate to women's sizes? Because they might work for some, and the price ($168) was better than I saw on some women's oxfords/wingtips.

17 years ago

hanna

(website)

Active Member

hmm, i've been thinking about this for a while now, so i experimented a little (working off of memory here because i couldn't get to the jcrew catalog, grr!):

first, these are the shoes - vintage flat oxfords:
http://i220.photobucket.com/al.....000368.jpg

paired with straight legs, a floaty tunic top, boyfriend cardigan, and scarf for color:
http://i220.photobucket.com/al.....000369.jpg

topped with leather blazer:
http://i220.photobucket.com/al.....000374.jpg

and then, just to see if it would work, floaty tunic with different scarf and brown cord boyfriend blazer (i know this doesn't really follow the jcrew look we were going for - but i sort of like it ;)):
http://i220.photobucket.com/al.....000365.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/al.....000366.jpg

pardon the sleepy expression and awkward poses - i was trying to create a better sillhouette for you guys to look at but i don't think i have the hang of taking my own full body shots yet!

i'm not sure it works on me, but i'm sort of enjoying mixing floaty tops and skinny jeans with the menswear elements. i'm sure there are better ways of doing it than these though!

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Yes Hanna, I think you've got it! And it has a lot to do with those oxfords - they are just perfect - broken in enough and the right color. I really like all of the looks - where did you find your oxfords? Are they women's or men's?

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Hannah, you look great! I really like both of your outfits, I think they work very well. Those oxfords are really nice.

17 years ago

hanna

(website)

Active Member

thanks laura and tanya!

laura, i am a big vintage and thrift shopper, and etsy.com is a great resource for vintage and handmade items! just choose vintage from the dropdown and search for oxfords. of course that means you run the risk of sizing disparities, but most sellers are very accomodating and will take measurements for you. mine are nine west and came from a seller called sheHEARTSvintage. they sort of look like the lovechild of converse hi tops, traditional men's oxfords, and doc martens (they've got eyelets all the way up :)) i love the way they look under pants, and they happen to be SUPER comfortable.

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the tip! I will check out Etsy. I'm so glad you made the look work for you!

17 years ago

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