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Will these shoes work?

Jules

Veteran

Trying to put together everything I think I've learned on ylf and just not sure
I want some transitional shoes, so I can start wearing all the great spring/summer stuff I have been collecting since February. It's still quite cool here so I can't do sandals. Can I do these oxfords, with nude hose and these skirts/dresses?
The first two from LE I think will work, the second two are more outliers: the shift dress which is in another print shown only in swatch, also blue and white, and the retro wrap dress - mine is in a more subdued sage/cream print that I think is less retro/cutesy (much as I love cherry prints!). I think the colours work, it's the cuts - and the nude hose - I'm wondering about.
Thanks so much for any input... I am pressed for time and the selection of transitional shoes is limited in Toronto.

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Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Jules

rachylou

Veteran

Easily in my book!

Inge

(website)

Beautiful dresses, Jules, and I absolutely think the nude hose will work. I'm a little worried these specific oxfords might look a bit "heavy" with the frocks because of the dark blue colour, style and the suede (?) fabric. Maybe a slightly more refined style in a lighter colour (tan, taupe, silver or gold metallic) would be easier to achieve the transitional Spring looks you are after?

Jules

Veteran

Thank you both :)They are indeed suede. I had to admit oxfords are a bit of a stretch for me and tan/beige or metallic footwear are both a bit out of my comfort zone! Really, any light coloured footwear other than colourful summer sandals! But I do see what you mean. I do like the metallic ones at the same store and they are more summery.... just not sure I can go there although I love the look on others.
http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/.....spx?c=2028

Sarah S

I definitely think these shoes work with these dresses, as long as you like the clumpy-shoe-with-delicate-dress look, which I do. It absolutely works. And the white sole lightens them up just a tad which is so good in spring.

Inge has a great suggestion about colour. I've been looking at these. Don't know if you have access to them where you are. Love the colour and I think they might work more like a nude shoe but still have the clomp factor.

http://clarks.ie/products/wome.....om-leather

Sarah S

Just saw your last post that came in while I was composing (and putting kids to bed at the same time) ... I think you should go with your first choice even though they are dark. I would wear them with dresses in a heartbeat! Don't stretch yourself with light colour if oxfords are enough of a jump.

Jules

Veteran

I like those Clarks too, I will have to see if we have them in Canada. We have most of the international brands but often limited selection thereof.

Jules

Veteran

I have another question... would the dresses work with low-heeled booties like the Sam Edelman Pettys, if I can find them in the new spring colours?
I am trying to avoid narrow/high heels because I have a wobbly ankle prone to twisting.

Sarah S

Good to hear. Best of luck.

Liz A.

Veteran

How do you feel about the lighter blue oxfords that you linked?

Sarah S

If wearing oxfords is a brave thing to consider I'd leave the booties. Search google images for Sam Edelman pettys and you'll notice they are mostly pictured with skinny cuffed jeans or shorts. I think that is because they are high vamp and have a tendency to shorten the lower leg. My calves are short compared to my thighs so I have to be careful of that effect!

unfrumped

Veteran

Of course you can do it. However, I have not had luck with dresses with the dark oxford with a relatively high vamp. I can't get my head around the look. I do like it more on "young folk" who seem to carry it off better, in part because they can wear shorter skirt lengths. I am still looking for a more refined oxford with a lower vamp, and a lighter color, in order to work with dresses or skirts, and may decide to skip altogether. However, I agree that the white sole and light stitching may do the trick.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I love the idea of a metallic or nude shoe with your dresses. My advice is go for it:):)

Day Vies

Veteran

Dresses 2, 3 and 4 work well -- I think the skirt on 4 might be too full for the oxford IMHO.

Jules

Veteran

Day Vies I think you are right about the last one - I threw it in because it's my newest purchase but I really bought it to wear in high summer with sandals and I'm happy with my options there.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, they are all appreciated. I think I am getting cold feet (har) about the navy oxfords. I do have some navy flats so I will try some of these dresses with them and nude hose at home and see what I think.

Sarah S

Looking forward to seeing the photos, Jules.

rute

Veteran

I love the idea of metallic or nude oxfords, the looks you posted are so feminine and I feel it would look better.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

I meant to comment on this yesterday, Jules, and got pulled away before I'd had time to fully consider the photos.

I love the dresses -- they're all super!! A nice variety and very fresh.

I also understand the fear of oxfords...personally, I love them, yet I worry about the "stumpifying" effect with a dress. Also, I don't know about you, but I don't see anybody around me IRL wearing them. And no wonder, because I only found ONE pair in brick and mortar stores in K'town. One.

So...I do have to agree that if you are worried about it, paradoxically, a lighter shoe is more likely to be the way to go. It will not have the leg shortening effect and it will seem more spring-like. Is it possible for you to try some on for comparison? Looking at yourself in a full length mirror and taking pics wearing both dark and light will really give you information.

Re the booties, I agree with Sarah that if oxfords are a stretch for you, the booties will be more difficult. I steeled myself to wear taupe booties with a skirt last summer, but it was tough, and I still hesitate a bit. I have done it (and done it, even with darker brown and black booties -- gasp!) but I do feel a bit out of my own comfort zone when I do. The booties I am wearing have a V in front which elongates, and a 3 inch heel, which also helps. If that tells you anything.

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Jules

Veteran

Suz, thank your chiming. The info about heel height with the picture is especially helpful as I have admired your bootie/skirt looks - but I can't do 3 inches.
I don't see women wearing oxfords around Bay St where I work either, I suspect I would if I went for a walk on Queen West. I have found them in a few stores but not the big chains. I tried some "refined" Softino ones, what I call dainty, I really prefer a chunkier shoe to balance my body. I would love to bring multiple pairs home and try out looks but I'm oddly uncomfortable returning footwear - and I wonder if we will have our usual sudden weather change before I manage all that.

unfrumped, I agree dresses and oxfords is probably a young look. I am 39, look it, and am aiming for age-appropriate. In fact I just got a promotion which is why I am trying to get out of my jeans uniform. But I am pretty sure the dark oxfords are not going to be the solution. I just really wanted a flat or low-heel shoe that is warmer/ more supportive than ballet flats, which I don't find super flattering with dresses either. I may have to look for a low, wide wedge heel with closed toe. Sigh. Sounds like a collection of compromises.

I do also appreciate all the pro comments and alternate suggestions too. If I were *in love with* the $200 oxfords I would go for it but I'm not.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I hear you on ballet flats. They're useless in a spring like our current spring. (I can't wear them personally anyway, but that's a different issue).

A low, wide wedge with a closed toe sounds a lot like the Cole Haan Talia . I know you wouldn't want to get it from Nordstrom, but that's the idea, anyway. This shoes gets tons of positive recommendations for comfort.

But that may feel too "polished" or feminine...not sure, because the dresses are feminine looking.

Jules

Veteran

I can't really wear ballet flats for a walking day either - I mean, they won't cause me to twist my ankle like many heels, but my calf and foot cramp up terribly trying to keep the damn things on. And I only really like the look with certain pants.
I like the light colour Talias.

Anonymous

Hi Jules, I just wanted to chime in and say I'm 49 soon and I am definitely going to try my new oxfords with a dress. I have these already :http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20353815
and i am considering these : http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/20349192 and these :http://www.sarenza.co.uk/jeffr.....0000034594
I probably wiil wear a slightly A line dress though, not a full one and the hem will be just at the top of my knee. Good luck with your hunt.

Jules

Veteran

You're the second person to mention Clarks so I took a look at their Canadian website - not a single pair of oxfords! Suz, I think we can safely conclude there is in fact an anti-Oxford conspiracy in Canada!
Meanwhile I found these, which I probably can't get here either. Must stop browsing shoes online - it only leads to frustration.
http://www.zappos.com/sam-edel.....lue-powder

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love those SE shoes. And I think you're right. It's a conspiracy. Why, I wonder? What have Canadian buyers got against this shoe? Clearly they do not believe it will sell in our climate, and perhaps they are right. Many years I do go straight from boots to sandals. And I guess most women who work in offices wear pumps, if they have to wear an actual shoe. Hmmm.

Jules

Veteran

Forgot to mention Suz, that there is a Cole Haan store on Bloor now. If I make it there and they have no oxfords either, we will know the truth!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Jules, I haven't read the comments, but I need to suggest that lighter oxfords might make you feel happier when you pair them with skirts and dresses.

Jules

Veteran

Thanks Angie, and that did seem to be the consensus! I'm not going with the navy ones, probably holding out for sandal weather at this point.