NAS: Help me choose oxfords? - YouLookFab Forum

For the last couple of years I have wanted a pair of black oxfords. They fit with the menswear-loving part of me, and their sleekness fits with the part of me that wants to be more sophisticated. (There is a scene from House of Cards where Claire is wearing dark skinny jeans, no socks, and black oxfords, and it's a beautiful thing. I can't remember if she is wearing a white shirt or a black sweater, but either works.)

Right now I only own one pair of oxfords: Fryes in cognac, which are at least 5 years old and are shown in Finds below. I love them, but I want something sleeker. deb recently posted about her purchase of the calf hair Louise et Cie pair from NAS in this post: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....am-in-love. I really love the shape of these shoes. They also have them in black patent, which I am drawn to -- but is patent too .... patent? Which do you like for me?

Zappos

Frye Carson Oxford

$248.00

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Nordstrom

Louise Et Cie 'Franny' Oxford Flat (Women) (Nordstrom Online Exclusive)

$138.94 $83.37

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Nordstrom

Louise Et Cie 'Franny' Oxford Flat (Women) (Nordstrom Exclusive)

$138.94 $83.37

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

10 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

So these were my fave but they are expensive and don't know how they fit. But the color seems versatile:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/st.....6725?origi...

Susie

I got those oxfords last year in black patent and I really like them. (Mine are the same brand and appear to be the same style.) Yet the black and white pattern is very cool...I'm no help because I like both!

viva

I like those too, Una, but out of my price range. However, they do make me feel like the patent is not too much. Also, Susie has the patent. Leaning that way right now.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Are you good with the lighter colored sole on the black patent ones? I feel like it might be distracting.

Banoffi

I like the Louise et Cie ones, and don't think the patent is too much -- it just adds to the sleekness.

Here are a few others that have a black sole (in case you are looking for that option) in a similar price range:

http://www.zappos.com/dune-lon.....ack-patent

http://www.zappos.com/dr-marte.....hed-smooth

I agree with Ummlila on the soles of the black but otherwise I think patent is fab for oxfords!

I meant to add that I would love a tiny portion of Claire Underwood's wardrobe!! I love her style.

Anonymous

I love the idea of black patent oxfords! Not quite as masculine as non-patent

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

They are stunning oxfords, Viv - comfy too (which is why they were a top pick). Last pair are more comfy - but black might be more "Claire Underwood".

May I suggest ordering both pairs and trying things on at home with outfits to assess which work better. Might be worth the effort. I am currently deciding between two pairs of Timberland Glastonburys - and have both at home. Will be creating outfits today to decide which colour stays.

Timberland 'Glastonbury Six Inch' Sneaker (Women)

$119.95

I just bought some black patent geox wedges. There is wiw of me in them somewhere here, if you're interested.
Anyway, the mixed media of them makes them wearable in a dressed down way, and despite me being quite a casual dresser, I think they're still within my dressed down style.
The stacked brown heel dresses down the patent a bit on those oxfords.
Dunno if that helps or not.

ETA: Here is the WIW link: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....r-bad-look

Kathleen

Active Member

I was at an outlet mall near me yesterday and saw a really cute pair of black patent oxfords at Johnston & Murphy in their women's line. I have a couple of other pairs of oxfords from them and they are really comfortable.

I also have good luck sometimes with Cole Haan although I'm not a fan of the LunarGrand style.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

Are these of any interest? The perforation might not be as versatile for your climate all year, though. I'm pondering the navy.

Franco Sarto 'Acropolis' Oxford Flat (Women)

$119.95 $71.95

Thistle

I really like the second pair better. The first pair is nice, but the second pair is special, a real outfit maker.

As others have noted, I would like the patent better if the sole were black, too.

JAileen

I bought these Earthie pewter oxfords last year. They're pretty comfortable. I changed the laces to thin waxed ones that I bought at Walmart.

http://www.amazon.com/Earthies.....B00DBFBSNY

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I have to add that when I got mine, the contrasting sole made me like them even MORE than if they had been black because I thought it made them more interesting. And maybe a bit more casual? But I love shoes so I WANT them to be distracting

Thanks everyone -- so helpful, as always!

Banoffi, I am a real fan of Claire's wardrobe! While I could never be as rigid in my closet-making, I am so inspired by her clean looks and minimal chic. I love almost everything she wears, and a few of her looks are just etched into my brain. (But we must remember that she is absolutely psychotic, so we can't emulate her too much - haha!)

Smittie: Thanks for directing me back to your WIW and for commenting about the benefits of the lighter sole. I wondered why I like that lighter sole with the patent leather (and appear to be almost the only one who does) and it is probably because my overall style is more casual. As you say, it does dress down the patent. I'm very likely to wear these shoes most often with jeans -- BF, skinnies, etc.. I like the juxtaposition of the sleek upper and the casual sole.

Joy: You are right. The patent leather is less masculine that black leather, and I like that too. It's a nod to menswear, and for me that is perfect.

I've taken Angie's advice and ordered both the Louise et Cie shoes and will try them both with outfits. I am a bit worried I will want to keep both because, although I am drawn to the patents, I think Thistle is right -- there is something special about those black-and-white ones. Oh well, I am sure I will be back for more wisdom from the group.

Good call, Viv. Like Susie, I like the tan heel on the black oxford because it softens the look.

(Btw, replied to your question on the blog post about my G-Star jeans).

Joyce B

I like both oxfords but I had to return the patterned one because it felt stiff and uncomfortable to my foot. The print is fabulous but it has a lot if dye smell.
It seems that other fabbers find them comfortable so YMMV.
As far as style, both are nice for you if you find them comfortable.

Sorry - late here. I like patent oxfords too, and actually don't like them with black soles because they look too dance-shoe-ish that way. The natural sole is really cool, and chic. I blew quickly through the Nine West store the other day and made a mental note to come back - they had an interesting modified pointed-toe black oxford I liked. I AM Claire Underwood (I wish)

MTBGirl

I like a lighter sole also viva. I have the pair below.

Everlane

The Modern Loafer

Donna, those loafers are fantastic!

DJP

Another spanner opinion here! I think the lighter sole on the patent oxfords adds to the modern feel and looks much more expensive than the actual price. I find the black soles a little dated.

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