InStyle advice on oxfords

catgirl

I thought this was interesting: a stylist suggested, regarding the menswear trends, wearing oxfords as a substitute for ballet flats I don't wear ballet flats but I thought it was a good comparison.

13 years ago

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from fern

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Cool, I have an ill-used collection of ballet flats. Debating what to do with them.

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Works for me! My ballet flats could use a break.

13 years ago

Kari

Veteran

That's kind of how I see them - like a high-vamped, lace-up ballet flat.

The challenge being (for me, at least) that I'm used to LOW vamped flat shoes, so it's a very different leg line when I substitute oxfords instead with a skirt/dress.

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting. I think slipper flats are a better comparison. Flat oxfords and ballet flats are chalk and cheese - to Kari's point.

13 years ago

Marley

Veteran

Wow - I thought that was the way they were supposed to be worn!!!!!

ETA pics. I'm kind of an oxford "nut." I love them and they are my go-to shoe with skirts and dresses!

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13 years ago

Jem

Veteran

I want to find some burgundy ones!

13 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

I guess I need help because I put all those flats -- flat loafers, flat oxfords, smoking slippers, ballet flats -- into the same category! (The one which most don't look good on my foot nor with my ankles

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Jem, I have a pair I wore today - don't have a photo but there's a closeup in this thread. So excited that they are in for fall (they are 5 years old!).

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....g-cardigan

13 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think the comparison is more relevant for people who wear both heels and flats. Oxfords work where ballet flats work as opposed to heels. If you primarily wear flats oxfords and ballet shoes seem worlds apart.

13 years ago

Jem

Veteran

Una, those are great! I love burgundy and am glad it's popular right now. It's a much better color for me than black.

13 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I do this. I can't wear ballet flats so it's kind of a moot point, but I do wear my flat oxfords in outfits where most other people would choose ballet flats.

13 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

Everything Diana said. Word for word.

13 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Well, I don't wear ballet flats OR oxfords, so I guess this makes sense!

13 years ago

fern

Veteran

I don't wear ballet flats either. I think they are very hard to find with the correct fit.
I got oxfords in my skin tone because I wanted to wear them bare-legged all summer and not feel like the high vamp was cutting me off at the ankles.
Well, now that I think about it, these are heeled, too.

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13 years ago

cciele

Veteran

I don't wear ballet flats or oxfords either, but I can see where InStyle is coming from--substituting a traditionally masculine oxford for the feminine ballet flat to get a bit of the boy in an outfit.

13 years ago

fern

Veteran

Marley, if you check back in here - who makes the shoes in your second picture? I love those.

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Interesting! I certainly love the look of oxfords and don't limit their wear only to pants but I think oxfords and ballet flats create such a different look.

13 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

Hmm. I love my ballet flats, but have yet to wear the one pair of flat oxfords I bought. They are these
http://www.bonton.com/shop/sho.....45973.html

I'm actually thinking I might dye them metallic. I might wear them with my BF jeans (which I also wear with Ballet flats) but haven't adjusted to me in them with skirts or dresses yet.

13 years ago

Marley

Veteran

Hey Fern - I don't know who makes those oxfords - I have been looking and looking for them online because I love them too. I'm going to repost them here again, in case someone else recognizes them!

Here they are:

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13 years ago

catgirl

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Marley, is that you wearing them in the pix? Because I love the oxfords with the tulle skirts!

13 years ago

Marley

Veteran

Una - no, its not me - I wish it was, 'cuz I love those shoes! (I have however, worn my oxfords with tulle skirts - lots of fun!)

13 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Una, that is very interesting. I don't like them on me but I wear ballet flats. The difference, for me, is that the vamp comes further up ( toward ) the ankle and make my feet look ENORMOUS. Yes, in capital letters. But I really enjoy the look on others.

But the ones Marley posted are divine......

13 years ago

fern

Veteran

"Marley's oxfords" in the pic above are softer and less menswear detailed - I think that's what's getting me. That, and the leather looks amazing.
I know they're not really Marley's, sadly.

13 years ago

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