Question about flat oxfords for ladies

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I see them as an original '80s style of shoe (HUGE trend back then) - then they got chunky and clumpy in the '90s.

Is this right, or were flat oxfords a fashion statement before the '80s?

thanks!

13 years ago

Dressing

42 replies

Latest reply was from MsMaven

(website)

Veteran

I have similar associations as you, and being the same age, that makes sense. I owned a pair in '89.

13 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I remember wearing heeled oxfords with a wingtip design as a little girl in the late 60s. And in the 70s, perfectly flat Bass black-and-white saddle oxfords were part of the uniform for all the cheerleaders -- see this blurry photo I was able to find on the internet. They weren't worn as street wear, though. But black and white saddle oxfords were, of course, very popular in the 40s and 50s.

ETA: and earlier! This Life magazine cover is from 1937!

13 years ago

Anonymous

I owned a pair in 1963. They were popular at my highschool. Mine were white and burgundy that I wore with a merino burgundy sweater and pleated skirt. We wore them with white socks

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ah. Interesting.

Thanks, Mo. I had my first pair in 1983. Of course, they were white.

Mary, I don't think ladies wore them in the '40s and '50s though. No?

And Joy, how refined were your oxfords in the '60s?

13 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

No idea. But I do remember wanting a pair of saddle shoes (not the same thing, though somewhat similar) back in high school or maybe it was college (early-mid 80s). But more as a retro thing--they definitely were not trending.

http://www.selectism.com/news/.....e-shoe.jpg

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Saddle shoes are flat oxfords for sure!

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Teens and young women definitely wore saddle shoes in the 40s and 50s. My mother did; she'd have been in her 20s then. Strictly as casual wear, of course.

In the 80s I also remember oxford type shoes with low heels (about 2 inches). I actually thrifted a pair last year and wore them a few times. They looked surprisingly current. I got a bunch of compliments on them. But they pinched so they had to go.

13 years ago

cciele

Veteran

Yup, I associate saddle oxfords with girls in the 50s! Cheerleaders and preppies and such.

13 years ago

crow

Active Member

I remember lace-up oxfords with low heels (1-2 inches) from the 60's. They were called ghillies and were graceful shoes, with stable heels and thin leather soles-good for dancing. And of course there were the saddle shoes that Suz mentioned. And before that, there were the "sensible shoes" beloved by grandmothers (and part of the nuns' uniforms) that didn't seem to vary all through the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's. A walk down the memory lane of shoes . . . .

13 years ago

Jamie

Veteran

If flat saddle oxfords are in the same family, then I'd say yes to the 50s and early 60s. I know my mom wore them all the time. In most of the photos I have, she wore them with full skirts.

13 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I wore practical kids oxfords in the 60s. Then I got another very cool pair with a creeper sole in 1985. They were black, which I wore a lot of back then.

13 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Ladies wore them for casual wear all the way back to the 30s. Look at these fab 40s/50s tan ones from Etsy!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95.....-cream-and

They're my size and I am SUPER TEMPTED!!

13 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Saddle oxfords made another comeback in the late 60's and early 70's for sure.
Our HS marching team wore a black and white version as uniform, and then some funky fun styles became available in the stores. I was crushed because most were in medium widths, and I could not wear. My best friend had some in pale blue suede with blue spatter-paint design, and I coveted them.

They were more rounded-toe and not tapered slim as many of the styles right now. They were actually quite foot-friendly due to that--roomy toe box.

13 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

This is a great thread! I'm searching for the perfect pair of neutrals for spring/summer. I, too, had a mother who wore saddle shoes and bobby socks as a high schooler in the 50's. I remember as a 6th grader wearing her gray wool pencil skirt, matching cashmere sweater and print silk scarf with a pair of saddles I bought for the occasion. Wish I still had them!

BTW --- I think some of the current versions are too flimsy, and some are too clunky/manly. I'm looking for the Goldilocks oxford --- just right.

13 years ago

merwoman

Veteran

I wore b/w saddle shoes as a youngster...and just found a photo! Me and my little sis - note matching outfits :-), such budding fashionistas! circa 1962

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

GREAT info! Thanks, ladies. Love learning each day

So quite the statement in the '40s, '50s and '60s - but probably not the biggest look back then - and a HUGE statement in the '80s. Yes?

LOVE THAT PIC, merwoman!!

13 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Photos taken from this blog http://missmoss.com.au/2012/01.....our-peril/

The third image is taken from google images

That's the 30's, 40's and 50's represented. I also believe Coco Chanel wore them as a young woman but I can't find the image right now.

How fab.

13 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Oh here you go, plus a bonus Audrey photo
http://womenwhoonlywearpants.tumblr.com/

13 years ago

merwoman

Veteran

So do I Angie! Times were tough for my mom, but she always made sure we were well dressed!
Just thought I would share that the GAP has some amazing shoes! I purchase the spotted oxfords a few weeks ago (30% off). They are incredibly comfortable!! I notice they've added some new oxfords to the line up as well as some poinyt flats...I shall have to try to restrain myself....

13 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I remember dance-shoe oxfords in the '80s and chunky lace-ups in the late '80s.

13 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

Ah saddle shoes. I was told I had flat feet as a child and every year I got to pick from 2 super clunky (IMO super ugly) saddle shoes to wear to school (always with knee socks).
I had flat patent black oxfords in mid-to late 80's and wore them with big scrunched socks and capri leggings and oversized tops (thrift store men's blazers and long vee neck sweaters and oversized sweatshirts) I claim no photos of this time...

13 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I loved my chunky 90's oxfords with lug soles and block heels!

13 years ago

Hil

(website)

Veteran

Oh gosh - I had the 90's super chunky version / loved them!!!

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, ladies!

Jules, hate to be picky but some of those pics are of loafers - not flat oxfords (oxfords have laces). Like of Audrey and pic #2. But the other pics are fab!! You clever gal, and thanks for the effort

I haven't tried the Gap oxfords yet, Merwoman. They look splendid! I just splurged on the Cole Haans in a mirrored silver with citron laces. SO COMFY. Nike air sole. So precious that your Mama made sure you were always well dressed. The rationale has stuck with you.

13 years ago

Nicole D

Veteran

I was just reminded of the mustard yellow oxfords I had in 1984. I loved them! They were very delicate, similar to the dance style oxfords rachylou mentioned. I am definitely going to try a pair for spring.

QUestion: How do you wear them with a skirt or crops (little footlet nylons (hate those, they always slip off), socks, nothing (could be smelly), knee highs??

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

With nothing. I can't stand wearing footies. They slip off my feet and bunch up in my shoe. I WANT TO SCREAM when that happens.

13 years ago

L'Abeille

Veteran

JJ. I had a pair of those saddle shoes expensively modified into something to correct flat feet, too. I recall being horrified by the shoestore guy trying to pass them off as trendy. In the previous decade! Somehow they were mysteriously left in Montreal when our family went to Expo 67 and no mention of orthopedic footwear was ever made again.

In the 50's and early 60s they were worn with bobby socks. Check out pictures of dancing teenagers from that era--worn with all the fullskirted dresses and poodle skirts. Definitely they were a bigger item then than in the 80's. I don't remember them at all from the 80's and I was there, albeit perhaps too busy interning and having kids to notice. (My daughter claims I dressed like the 70's all through the 80's and says she's seen the pictures to prove it, although I do remember shoulder pads!)

13 years ago

moira

Veteran

I had lime green and cherry red saddle shoes in middle school, so 1970, I think.
I wish I still had them. They were adorable.

13 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I wear footies. Cotton ones, NOT the icky nylon ones. I recently found awesome smartwool ones but they might be too warm for really hot days. I can't wear closed toe shoes without socks of some sort (sweaty feet aside, I always get blisters on the tops/sides of my toes). Once in a while I'll wear little ankle socks w/ my oxfords, but it's a bit twee for all the time.

13 years ago

Category