K/R/?: brown heeled oxfords (Born Jelena)

I've been stalking these oxfords for a while, and I snapped them up last week on sale from 6pm. They are super comfortable and I love the shape. I ADORE the heel shape and height. The one thing I'm conflicted about is the color. They are darker and more uniform brown than I had hoped, like a true chocolate brown. I know that the leather on born shoes will distress with wear (since it's so soft) which I am happy about. Anyway, I don't have any other chocolate brown shoes, or much chocolate brown in my wardrobe at all. On the other hand, brown does seem to fit with the steampunk/victorian vibe of these shoes.

So, could you see the color of these working with my wardrobe? I know the shape/style will fit right in!

Another option would be to customize these in some way. They come w/ both regular and velvet laces, but I was thinking of replacing them with either colored or metallic ribbon laces perhaps, to make them less brown. Or possibly going over these with metallic shoe polish? I know Rae did this with her boots, so Rae, if you are reading, do you think that might work here?

Photo on my foot is with flash; they are not as shiny IRL. (Sorry, no full body photos. It's 1am and I'm in my PJs, although I have determined that they look good with the slouchy (PJ) pants look, LOL.) The other photo is a stock photo, which shows the shoe better.

This post has 2 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

Tanya

Veteran

I love these for you Diana! You are right they do have that steampunk vibe to them. I would certainly try some fancy laces. I could even imagine you dyeing the cap into a contrasting color, and adding matching shoe laces.

Jules

Ooh I love these. But I love chocolate brown so I'm no help at all. I know it's not really a popular colour right now but I feel like it's almost a neutral shoe-wise (more so than cognac/luggage to me but apparently not the rest of the world!)

Hil

(website)

Oh yes - love those! I am imagining satin ribbons, or even a lace ribbon for a very steam punk victorian vibe.

ramya

God these are exactly like the ones I wanted:)
So I am biased...
Please keep

harmonica

Yes, keep!

Jjsloane

I actually like them as is, but can see fun experimentation with laces. I died my oxfords over the weekend and it worked out pretty well. I tried the metallic shoe cream, but didn't see the impact I was hoping for. I think I need a lot more coats. FWIW I have a big pot of copper or bronze Tarrago color cream shoe polish I can bring on Saturday if you want to try them out.I believe they are much less permanent than dye but Vix had good luck with them. I just haven't had time to fully work on it.

Anonymous

I think they are keepers! If everything is right except for colour, well, that can be tweaked. I like the idea of the fancy laces.

Raisin

I think the color is fab, they will go well with so many things. They look great on you!

Glory

I like these for you and like the colour. Will they work with your current wardrobe?

Oh gosh I love these, so jealous, I want some like that. I definitely think changing laces would work and yes try the polish idea too. I vote keep.

bj1111

Great lines...i agree about the flatness of the color. As if it would weigh you down.

Diana

Thanks, ladies! I think I shall keep these and will change out the laces. I'm going to hold off dying for now... if I really have trouble wearing the brown I'll probably dye them bronze.

Hil, I like the idea of lace laces (hee). I have some cream colored lace ribbon lying around... I might try that this evening. I was also thinking maybe a gold of some sort.

Jeanne, I'm not planning to bring these this weekend... so I'm not sure what I'd try the dye on. Thanks for the offer though! Let me know how your experiment turns out!

Glory, in principle they work with almost everything in my wardrobe except for the black. (I like black and lighter brown together but black+chocolate is too low contrast for me). But I'm trying to lighten up for spring/summer anyway! We will see whether I have trouble wearing this color though.

BJ, that's exactly what I was thinking - the dark brown is so flat and uniform. If my other born oxfords are any indication though, the leather gets distressed pretty quickly so I'm hoping that will happen here too.

Transcona Shannon

I can totally see these working with your style and wardrobe Diana and I actually really like the rich chocolate colour. And if they are that comfy, all the better. I vote to keep.

modgrl

They are just so brown. And we are coming upon our hot summer months. I wish they weren't so brown. I feel like I would love them if they were more low contrast with your skin tone.

Kalli

Active Member

The shoes are cute and would work with your style as you said. My personal experience is that I don't have many pairs of brown shoes and when I did, I'd still reach for my black ones. Maybe it's easier to bookend with black. Anyhow, that's my only concern for you, in theory I love brown shoes..... in practice they never worked for me. However, definitely give it a good try!

kellygirl

I love the style for you. I think the changing the laces is a good way to start. The color looks great to me--I can see it working in your wardrobe when you want a softer bookend than black. They are so cool. It makes me want to add steampunk to my persona

Carole

I love the color (they bookend your hair color so well, don't you think). Changing up the laces is a great idea and seems like that could give you the different feel you are after. Seems black laces would be great too. I hope you keep them, they are super cute.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

SUCH a Diana shoe! No more conflicting thoughts. Keep the killer oxfords.

Category