Most comfortable stylish oxfords?

It seems I'm forever in the market for a pair of comfortable, durable and *stylish* oxfords [sorry, Finn Comfort]. Any recommendations? Voices from the bunion crowd/wide-forfoot/narrow-heel/flat-feet/low-volume crowd especially welcome.

8 years ago

Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from FindingMyWay

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I have wide-ish forefeet with a bunion and I love Cole Haan oxfords. I have various styles, and they all work fabulously for me.

8 years ago

amiable

Veteran

There's still a few pair of Naot Kedma out there on amazon and the like. They get great reviews, though they're not exactly cutting edge. I had to send mine back because the arch support was too short for me, but I might try a size up.

Angie recommended the Franny oxfords from Louise et Cie, and they're very nice (go to finds, then click "top pics" at the right, then use the drop down box to filter for oxfords). I'm still debating on keeping them - they would require an insole for my feet.

8 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Not helpful for you but my favorite oxfords of all time are the now-discontinued born arlettas. I have similar foot problems as you, although my bunions are I think less severe. A lot of oxfords are too high volume for me so they not only look like boats but rub on the back of my ankle. The arlettas are a lower shape and fit my feet well after adding my 3/4 superfeet inserts.

I have not tried this born style but it looks very similar and I think it's worth a try.

ETA: the find links to a dead page, so here they are at Amazon instead.
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Wom.....B00LWGTJIK

Zappos

Børn Bristol

$110.00

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8 years ago

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'm in the market for Oxfords too, so I'm listening in. Frye has several variations in their line that I've been mulling on.

Zappos

Frye Anna Oxford

$228.00

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Zappos

Frye Erin Oxford

$238.00

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8 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

My feet are the opposite (high volume, high arch, though I do have a wide forefoot). All the oxfords I'd tried were too narrow. Then I bought a pair of boy's leather dress oxfords from J Crew and I love them. I wear them all the time. They're classic and they're breaking in like much more expensive shoes. I wish my feet were a size bigger so I could buy men's shoes, because it's hard to find fancy leather-lined kids' shoes, but I got lucky with these. But they'd probably be too boat-like on many people, and not to everyone's taste.

If I had narrower feet - I love the Frye oxfords above.

8 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

My feet are low volume with a narrow heel. I have two pairs of oxfords, Earthie Treviso in pewter, and Frye Maggie Perforated in slate. The Earthies are very comfortable. The leather is like butter, and they fit very well, right out of the box. The Fryes are very stiff and I feel like I'm wearing boots. And with long pants it looks like I'm wearing western boots too! I think both have been discontinued, but some sizes of the Earthies are available on Amazon. Frye products, of course, are very nice quality. I like both of them.

http://www.amazon.com/Earthies.....s=earthies

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/fr.....rd/3225699

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8 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I've tried Earthie shoes, but the arch support was too severe, and the shoe too narrow. I'm glad they work for you. Frye I'll have to check out.

8 years ago

Eliza

Veteran

Some Cole Haan oxfords would work for the foot you described. As their heels don't tend to be wide, you might be able to go up just half a size for the areas that need a bit extra, without the dreaded flat tire, floppy heel effect. I don't believe I've seen them in actual W widths. Also, laced oxfords allow for tightening to fit in a way that my low volume foot can appreciate, even as I love the simplicity of lace free oxfords that have elastic under the tongue.

8 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Ooh, ooh, I have one! The Naot Kedma. Sooo comfy. I have high volume average-to-slightly-wide feet and not particularly wide heels, and no bunions. I have the gray shimmer ones (They aren't as green-looking in real life), and I really like the looks of the colonial beige, for a lighter look. Forum member Jenava has them in wine and really likes them, too.

P.S. I see that Amy mentioned them above. Too bad they didn't work, Amy!

Amazon

Naot Women's Kedma Flat

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Zappos

Naot Footwear Kedma

$230.00

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8 years ago

stainedglass

Active Member

I have similar feet; wide forefoot due to genetic bunions, flat feet, and a narrow heel; I have to buy 7.5EE or 7.5EEEE men's running shoes. If your feet are large enough for men's shoes, I've had good luck with Cole Haan men's shoes in either regular or wide width, depending upon the style and the shape of the toe box. I would have kept the suede oxfords from NAS, but the contrast between the grey suede and the white sole was just too much for my taste. My feet are 8.5 in women's shoes, so a men's 7 usually works for me (in non-running shoes).

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Cole Haan 'ZeroGrand' Wingtip (Men) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

$268.00 $160.80

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8 years ago

tulle

Veteran

My feet are exactly the shape you describe, and I've been very happy with the Born Kika oxfords I bought this Spring. Mine are light gray and cream brogues--so pretty--and once I'd put inserts in to pump up the volume, and pulled the laces tight, I found them very comfortable. (I tucked a very small potato into one shoe overnight, as per Angie's instructions, and it gave the bunion on that foot just enough room.)

8 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

A few updates: The Nordstrom's Louise et Cie patent oxfords arrived today, and were recommended for low volume feet. Sadly, the shoes cut into my ankle bone, were gaping above my the top of my foot even with the laces tied tightly, and flopped when I walked. I think they could work for those with higher ankles a normal arches, but not for low volume flat feet.

I popped into Frye to try on a few pairs of shoes and stayed as long as frustration levels allowed. Surprisingly, a possible winner might be a heeled [!] oxford. Buttery soft and giving leather, a comfortable arch, and a very stable and sturdy heel. Not sure how these would feel after thirty minutes of walking, but I recommend them because they were instantly comfortable [or, for the pedi challenged, less uncomfortable than other options].

Zappos

Frye Stella Oxford

$228.00

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8 years ago

old chic

Active Member

Alaskagirl asked about Gudrun Sjoden clothes recently. Like many others, I just had to check out the site. I, too, have been looking for a comfortable, but quirkily stylish pair of oxfords/booties. These look really promising to me, so I ordered them (and got $45 off) just now. They should get here in a few days, and I'll let you know how they turn out to be.

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8 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I just tried these Taos oxfords and really liked them. They were super soft and had good arch support. (I'd add a superfeet as usual and then they would be perfect for my low volume flat feet.). I am trying to decide what color to get - leaning toward cognac which is really more of a dark camel. Interestingly, my MIL who has wider, higher volume feet with much bigger bunions ALSO found them comfy.

http://taosfootwear.com/jiminy.html

Also, I just ordered these Borns. They are almost the same as my beloved arlettas. I think the back is maybe 1/4 inch higher on the ankle but with an insert I don't think they will rub. The toe is not quite as perfectly almondy as the original arletta but it's pretty close.

ETA: both true to size

Amazon

Børn Womens Netties Oxford

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8 years ago

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

I have exact problem at a size 6.5 and love AGL and Frye #3 (all pics below).

Nordstrom

Attilio Giusti Leombruni Double Monk Strap Loafer

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Nordstrom

Attilio Giusti Leombruni AGL Attilio Giusti Leombruni Sequin Oxford

$375.00 $224.98

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Custom Find

by dashielle (Ann)

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8 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

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Diana, I have the Taos sneakers and love the insole--it is better than my custom orthotic! The leather is super soft, and can accommodate my toe spacers for reasonable periods of time before pain sets in. I saw the Taos oxfords on Zappos and was tempted to bite, but am worried that they won't last as long as those with a leather sole/block heel. I wore down my Taos sneakers in a very short time, and I had hoped they would have lasted longer.

8 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Oooh, I love those AGLs Dashielle posted! I find oxfords difficult because I want the masculine vibe but not too masculine. No pleasing me some days

8 years ago

FindingMyWay

Active Member

I favorited this discussion three months ago because I have the same challenge with shoes as Gradfashionista. (And I wear a size 10.5 or 11, which means I get sized out of some styles.) I recently ordered a few pairs of oxford-like shoes from Zappos and thought I'd report back. I kept the Merrell Veranda Tie because it is wide in the toebox and doesn't slip in the heel. I wish it were a little lower, but I can manage this for a full day with plenty of walking. The Tamaris Babet seemed promising and I especially liked how low it was cut around the ankle, but I couldn't get it in a long enough size. The Naot Rapoka was astoundingly comfortable--wide enough in the forefoot, narrow in the heel--but it was too short.

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Merrell Veranda Tie

$140.00

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Zappos

Tamaris Babet 1-1-23301-25

$145.00

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Naot Footwear Rapoka

$189.95

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8 years ago

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