Would You Wear… Oxfords?
It’s still July but fashion blogs and magazines are already abuzz about what may be fall’s hottest footwear trend: the flat oxford. If you guys remember, high heeled oxfords were HUGE a few seasons ago after Luella so famously sent them down the runway in 2007. In contrast to the chunky-heeled, neutral colored oxfords of ’07, this season’s oxfords (also called brogues) have flat soles and come in many colors: classic black and white, brights, and metallics.
The oxfords pictured above are (from left) by Opening Ceremony, 3.1 phillip lim, Topshop, and Kaight (via New York Magazine). The three oxfords on the right are from the new Olivia Morris for Grenson collection (via Vogue.co.uk).
Personally, I think oxfords are cute but I’m not sure they fit with my personal style. I think they would work better for those with a more androgynous look. (Think Agyness Deyn and the like.) What do you think?
Would you wear oxfords? Are you excited about this shoe trend or planning to pass? Did you wear the high heeled oxfords a few seasons back? Leave a comment with your thoughts!
Posted on on July 28, 2009 / Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: 2009, Agyness Deyn, Color, Fall 2009, Footwear, Luella, Metallics, Oxfords, Topshop, Would You Wear?
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anubha
the heel-less oxfords are a respite for those who struggle with heels (yes, i do!). also without the heels they tend to look less formal (where i live heels are worn only during parties or a formal event…mostly)
And the different colors add a nice look to them too…i guess i’ll give them a try
Emma
I actually like them a lot and I’m not one for the androgynous look! Think they’d look super cute with skinny jeans or a cute fall dress.
Claire
I would wear flat “Oxfords” (I use the term “brogues”), IF they made my feet look not toooo big. I’ve got quite large feet and i get the feeling they’d be enlargening. I do have a pair of high heeled ones!
Little Red
I think they look fab. However, they definitely aren’t my style so I won’t be trying them out. There are a lot of ladies who look great wearing them though!
johnieemma
I agree with your take on it. I think my feet are just too big to pull them off with my wardrobe of skinny jeans. I think they miht look cute with shorts and a blazer, but I’m not going to invest in shoes I can only wear once or twice.
Sienna Miller looked fab in them tho!
Rose
Honestly, no. The high-heeled ones are okay, but these remind me of a combination of men’s business shoes and Keds sneakers.
Madison
CHYEAH! These are adorable and a nice everyday alternative from ballet flats. I always admired the heeled oxfords but never sprang for a pair cos walking around campus all day in heels seems crazy to me.
alycia
Personally, I think they’re pretty cute. :) I’m not an “androgynous” girl, and I agree with Emma, they’d look so good with a pretty floral dress and a longer chunky-knit sweater (think boyfriend style)!
I like it. I think the blue ones from the picture are my favourite.
victoria
i like these, especially the gold and purple ones in the first picture but im not a fan of the different colored laces shown in the second picture.
Lisa
I would wear them, I just probably wouldn’t spend money on them – see what I mean? I think they’re really cute, but they would probably make my feet look huge, like others have said. I’ve had to shy away from my beloved converse for that very reason.
Julie
Not really. they are not my cup of tea at all. So, I think I’ll pass.
Aimee
I’m so excited for them, actually. They really fit with my style which leans more toward androgyny anyway. I’m glad these are becoming more commercially available.
Caity
It depends on how they look on, but if I find a pair that would work with my wardrobe I’d probably pick them up. I think they’re very cute.
Cody
I have to agree with you. They’re cute, but they don’t really fit with my personal style.
Though, I would wear them in an instant if I was dressing up like a 1950′s highschool girl for Halloween (it’s still July and I’m already trying to think up a costume).
Kelsey
Heck yes, they are so cute! I’ve wanted some for awhile but I didn’t want the clunky ones, I can’t wait for the cheaper versions to come out.
Jamie
I like them a lot! Can you let us know where we can find them because I can never seem to see them!
Luinae
Oxford flats? no
Oxford heels? yes, yes, and yes!
They work really well with my wardrobe, because I DO NOT wear skinny jeans and I really like knee length skirts, as well as bootcut jeans and trousers. Love oxford heels and high heeled boots.
Christie
I’ve seen these all over lookbook, and they are super cute with really girly dresses with flower prints. I know, it sounds odd, but take a look :)
However, I just do not think I could pull the look off. I have super tiny feet, so that isn’t the issue, it just doesn’t go along with my personal style.
However, I love when people add quirky items to their outfit. I say people should go for it :)
Sadie
I’ve been looking for them for months! but they aren’t quite popular here in Mexico…
Elisabeth
I’d rather stick with the oxford shoes with stiletto heels, not chunky :)
kirsten
I think they would look cute on someone with a size 7 foot or smaller… other than that it would make you look like Bozo the Clown… since my foot size is slightly greater than a 7… no I would not wear them.
Aury@ An Ordinary Girl's World
these are very cute but not really my style either.
Dubai Stylista
I still haven’t figured out if I would personally wear them, but they do look cute! Alexa Chung looks great in them- but then again , like you said, its a fairly adrogynous look and thats how her style is. But Olivia Palermo wears them so well too! I’ve seen quite a lot of “What I Wore” bloggers pull them off fabulously. My favorite is Marta: http://withlovegabrielle.blogspot.com/2009/07/gray.html
It’s so funny how seeing a trend on someone else can completely change your perception of it!
Helvetica
Absolutely not. i think they are too masculine.
Razmatazz
I personally would not wear those. I’m a sneaker girl. Plus I think they’re kind of ugly. Then again, I’ve never gotten some of the stuff some designers put down the runway.
Mani
Honestly I would, these buggers are cute! I especially love the colored ones posted in the picture above. About 1/4 of my closet is made up of preppy clothing, so oxfords are the cream to their peaches (since I can’t wear tennis shoes, heels, or flip flops with the outfits..)
So bottom line: YES! They’re adorable, a great twist on the classic and totally me.
Jane
Hm, I don’t necessarily agree that mostly only those with an androgenous style can pull them off. I’ve seen tons of cute brogue options for those with feminine flair. I think that anyone can pull them off with the right pair :)
Linda
Oxford flats ? Eh .. I’d try them. But they don’t see like they fit me.
But Oxford heels?
Still LOVE them.
Just found a black patent pair in a shop in NYC. Last pair. My size. $5.
Jessica from Broke for a Month
Ehh Im not a big fan of the flat oxfords. I’ll probably stick to the heeled version. I might give them a try though. Who knows? I might fall in love.
Lydia
I don’t know…they look jazzy but there is something just too masculine about them!
Zephyr
I’m so glad you guys like them! And also, I just want to clarify, I don’t think that ONLY those with an androgynous look can pull them off, just that I don’t know how well they’d work with my own personal style. I love them on people with androgynous looks but think other people can make them work too, of course!
Thorn
I have a pair of all black high heeled oxfords which I love, but I think those ones are just ugly.
Leia
I’m definitely passing on this trend… it just doesn’t fit with my personal style!
Ashlee
I’m still all over the high-heeled versions. I’m not really digging the flat ones.
Aly
yes, yes, and yes! i love oxfords! and now it will be easier to find them!
KyWyoming
I think they’re absolutely adorable–minus the fact that I am college student and aside of going out, they’d be absolutely impractical for me to own. They’re a great trend though, preppy and classy with a side of edge. It’s a good distraction from furry boots.
Hannah
i don’t think i would wear them, only because they look like they make you’re feet bigger. other than that they’re cute!
plus, i’d be to afraid to scuff them, i’m really clumsy.
Loris
If you have big feet they will almost certainly look like clown shoes.
Also, in my opinion, flat flat shoes make even the skinniest girl look dumpy.
And finally, I’m sick of this college “we don’t have to dress up ’cause it’s hard and we’re busy with…things” attitude that seems to be so prevalent in girls. If I see another pair of crocs or baggy sweatpants I might choke. I don’t know about you guys, but I always feel like I have so much more energy and class when I’m put together and made up. I’m championing a new movement – the femininest one. Not feminist, femininest. Women have so many lovely options to have great personal style and to look nice, they should always take advantage of their options. Make up, no ponytails, and heels are a must. Also you must not own a pair of sweats – it’s a slippery slope from “I just wear them around the house” to “I’m just going to wear these out shopping ’cause nobody will care” to “I just wear these all the time because I’ve given up all style and taste in the name of comfort.”
Just some thoughts, ladies.
Tara
I think oxfords are cute but don’t really feel that they’re “me”. So no, I don’t think I’ll be wearing them in the Fall. I actually like the high heeled oxfords from a few seasons ago better than the flat ones that are out now. I didn’t wear those either though.
Samantha
I’m just so glad to see a trend for FLAT shoes instead of ones with ridiculous sykscraper heels – at least it looks like you could walk in these! I think I’ll be giving them a try come autumn! :)
Ista
YES! Ever since I saw Janelle Monae in concert with her oxford shoes on I was like…OMG I love those! I would mos def wear them!!! I just need to find some that suit me.
Megan
I’m not sure how I feel about oxfords right now; I think they’re cute, I just don’t know if they fit me!
Also, I was just wondering if you’d considered doing a semester long version of your what to pack when going abroad post. As a college junior getting ready to spend this fall semester in Rome, I’m a bit overwhelmed when it comes to figuring out what to pack! I thought your summer list was great, but I’m going to be gone a lot longer, with a lot more variety in temperature (90′s when I get there, 40′s when I leave), so it’s not as directly applicable.
Colleen
I think the flat oxfords are super cute and a great alternative to flats for class when it starts getting colder, but I agree with those who said they are going to stick to their oxfords with heels. I feel like the high heel version are much easier to wear day to night, as they are simple enough for class, conservative enough for work, and fun enough for going out.
Mikelle Street
I’m a big heel type of person but given the right flats, I’ll concede. Really and truly I like Oxford flats and I kind of think that Anna is just showing her industry influence by proclaiming them in when Harper’s Bazaar declared the season to be all about heels, and W had those amazing heel-less heels in that “Sanctuary” fashion editorial. Anyways, enough analyzation I think that oxford flats are the new flat but… a flat in my opinion can’t take the place of a nice heel.
Noel
I have a pair of high-heeled oxfords and I still wear them, most because they’re super-high black stilettos and not the clunky-heeled multi-colored sort that I’m not very fond of. Not dated at all.
And I REALLY want a pair of flat oxfords (in bright colors, preferably). I love my many dainty ballerina flats but I’m thinking that having a slightly more practical shoe (although I already consider ballerina flats to be practical!) would be handy.
Jojo
I think I’d look silly wearing them, kind of like how I feel when I wear bowling shoes …
I’m certain others will be able to pull off this look though. My feet are too large, and this just isn’t really my style …
Jennifer
I’ve wanted a pair of oxfords since I was in about grade 6, weither they are the heeled variety or not, but i have yet to find out if they’d suit my style or not. I’ll definitly be checking the shops and trying a pair on now though, as if they’re they latest trend they should pop up a bit more often.
Lulu
honestly i think these can be pulled off by many different kinds of people… whether a kind of funky style or more prep they’d work i think. And I definitely will be getting a pair, but probably one of the fairly plain coloured ones for the sake of being able to wear them with more outfits.
Lena Michelle
i think they are so cute!
but i can’t really match them with my outfit..
Sally
I love ska music, and these shoes fit in so well with the ska scene! Love them, would definitely rock a pair!
Kellene
I think these shoes are super cute… but just not for me unfortunately.
Vicky
I would absolutely wear them. I’ve always loved them despite my friends all hating them, and I’ve been waiting to get my hands on a pair of oxford flats for ages! This is exciting that I’ll have more than enough of a selection to pick from soon! I hope they don’t become so popular that people hate them for that reason alone though.
busedumse
Hey. Do you think oxfords will fit with boho street chic style?
Jess
Hell yea. They are so 80s and I love the 80s. I would totally rock the gold ones
Maria
i love them! i would totally give them a try :D
Tessa
I’m a total girly-girl, but somehow i think that this could really incorporate into my style. Somehow I consider the Oxford to be somewhat of a neutral in a way, no matter what the style, it could probably meld in somehow. With a few good accessories and some shorts, this could be an amazing style for anyone. :)
so yeah… pro- flat oxford! :D
angela
Love the gold ones! But I think its one of those things that I wouldn’t want to spend a lot of money on – probably would want to own one just to try the trend.
becca
yes! i defintely would wear them. I attempted to find them last year…but they weren’t that in, now that everyones selling them, ill defintely buy a pair!!
mikee
oh yes.
Emma
Not into them, really…
lauren @ la petite fashionista
i’ve been seeing them ALL OVER in london! everyone wears them.. i tried a pair on but I thought I looked silly. so cute on those who can pull them off though!!
i have a pair of high heeled oxfords that i’ve worn to death, so i wish I could make this style work for me!
Elle
I love the high heeled ones (I haven’t gotten a pair but I’m still looking for a nice pair). Not sure about the flat version but those purple ones are sweet.
Georgia
These type shoes have been out for a while now in england, but i don’t think they have taken very well. I haven’t seen many people wearing them at all, even though they are in alot of shops. There are quite cute, I think they could look well with some outfits, just depends on what type of style you have.
Bre
yea i could definately see agyness wearing these but i think a solid color under jeans would look really good.
Haley
I actually like wearing a lot of menswear-influenced stuff in my wardrobe, so I think this is great! I like some more than others…I’ve never really been a fan of metallic shoes, and the gold one with the pink laces is bleh. But I like the classic black-and-white ones, and some of the colored ones are really cute, too.
Luna
I would totally go for it, but I’d rather if they sold them cheaper, since this, after all, is a trend, and spending a lot of money on trends is just silly.
Leah
HOLYCRAP I’ve always loved oxfords, and the heeled ones were awesome, too. I still wear a pair of black ones I got occasionally. But the flats are so easy to wear, and I’m big on the androgynous and menswear inspired looks, so it’s perfect for me.
Valeria
God, no…
Sarah
i was just looking at the pair that american apparel has. my style is very feminine but i would wear them on a dress down day maybe with a type of boyfriend shirt and pair of cut off bermudas…maybe throw a fedora on top
vanessa anne
absolutely. my style has been leaning closer to that of which these shoes would suit. my trouble is finding a good solid pair for a reasonable price in the dreary shopping areas around my town.
Tess
Oh, I love them! I don’t own a pair, as I’ve found it hard to find them at a reasonable price (In Australia). But I really really like them. Very cute.
Calico
I wont personally wear them, as I think they’ll make my feet look long-ish .. and weird. They are kinda cute though, in the awkward-geek-way when paired with flowery outfits I’ve seen online. Maybe this trend will hit Denmark and I’ll get a chance to try on a pair, but I’ll stick to my newly-bought heeled oxfords for now.
Alaina W
Not on my size 10 feet!
STEPHANIE
I love these shoes! I haven’t tried on a pair yet to see how comfortable they are or if they even fit well for me. But I can picture these with some skinny jeans and a winter coat matched with a cute bag and you’re set for a day out in the city! I don’t personally like the colored ones for myself, I’m more of a subdued color type of person. I definately love em in a leather brown or black and the tuxedo ones are oober cute!
Summer
They’re cute in stores, but I think this is a trend that I’m going to have to skip out on. I can’t pull off the popular ‘androgynous’ look.
Jasmine
I love my high heel version of these shoes. These look pretty classy. I would wear them.
Lindsay
YES
I love oxfords, they are cute and easy to wear, old man shoes :) I love them
Ariel
I think they’re absolutely atrocious! TERRIBLE! I am all about the trendy stuff, and I am usually willing to wear just about anything, but these are so ugly. I cannot see myself ever wearing them. They give me bad memories of elementary school. UGH!!!! I don’t see these lasting through more than one season, but I guess I could be wrong!
Alex
It’s cute..! I’d wear it! =D
Wren
They look great. I loved them last year but didn’t want to invest, and didn’t want them in heels (no thank you). So I went and got myself a pair of black men’s Oxfords from a thrift store. They are fabulous but I think I would love another pair in blue maybe…
Ashley
I wouldn’t wear them, just not my style.
Rupal Joshi
I would totally wear oxfords, heeled and flat. I would probably opt for either a blue in the flat and classic black for the heeled ones.
Venus
I adore the gold metallic ones. They’re cute and smart, so they’d be okay at my school where we have to dress ‘for the office’ (which means less formal than suits but more formal than smart-casual – it’s so hard to make outfits, and jeans are forbidden!!).
Unfortunately I’m low on funds, so I might be forced to give them a miss :-(
Priscilla
Yes! Of course I would. I think Oxfords are very classy and they would match great with my entire wardrobe.
Cara
I’m still addicted to the high-heeled oxfords…which are about the most feminine shoe out there, if they have enough retro touches to evoke the 20′s or 30′s, while still carrying implicit power. I have a grey pair that are my staple shoes, a bronze pair, a navy pair with cutouts an peep toe…the list would go on except I ran out of money. If you consider yourself a classy girl, invest in a good pair, preferably Italian leather, in a versatile color, and dress them up or down with anything, absolutely anything.
And, Loris, I agree completely!! No sweats, no pj’s, and a heck of a lot more heels.
roni
yeap surely will about to buy some louis vuitton ones!
Kyrstin
i absolutely love this trend! i travelled to europe a few months ago and it was huge there. however, i didn’t think to buy some while i was there, and now i can’t find any in canada! does anyone know where i could find some here? topshop unfortunately doesn’t deliver to canada :(
Kyrstin
oh and i’m only looking for flat ones!
Julia
Horrific. Absolutley not. Well, the ones with the heels can be pulled off..but deff not the flat ones! Yuck
amanda aileen
Oh yeah – LOVE these! The only problem is choosing the color, though you can never go wrong with the classic black and white.
SONNIE
omg YEAH!!!!!…THESE SHOES ARE JUST CLASSIC N VERY VERSATILE..N DERE 4 PPL WITH MORE OF A -OUT-THERE-STYLE AND THOSE WITH MORE OF A PREPPY OR CONSERVATIVE STYLE…LUVV DESE!!!
Allison
Oxford’s are so awesome. I get to wear them for marching band, so I’m happy about that. :D Maybe I’ll buy a pair for out of uniform outfits.
Rachael
i must admit i do prefer the look of heeled oxfords. but i do think flat ones look cute aswell :)
Reneé
heyy they’re cute :) love the shiny ones !
Jazzy
Flats no but i stole my moms brown heel version ones 2 years ago and i’ve been in love with them since and i get alot compliments
angela
I have really bad knee problems and i cannot wear high heels anymore, but the oxfords go great with everything i wear. A cute pair of saddle oxfords goes with my skinny jeans, shorts, dresses, everything. I no longer wonder what shoes i’m going to wear with my outfit. black and white saddle oxfords almost always fit the bill.
ginny
OMG I LOVE OXFORDS ! <3
i have worn them for about 3 years now. those are usually my staple shoes. but only heeled ones. cause i really cannot wear flat shoes. but they're great and super cute!
hellotampon
I love them, as long as they’re not the “chunky” kind. I think plain brown ones look good with floral dresses and the two-tone colored oxfords are really cute with just about anything.
I don’t want to spend money on such an obvious trend, though, so I passed up my “dreamboat” $50 pair online and got a pair of cheapies at Target.
Meghanne
I just want to say that I have a pair….and size 11 feet. I actually find that they make my enormous feet look considerably smaller :)
Yasmeen
i love oxford flats soooooo much, but i can’t ever own a pair myself./:
whenever and wherever i try these adorable shoes on, they’re always a half size too small or a half size too large, BUT THEY DON’T COME IN HALF SIZES!!
*sigh* recently though, i purchased a pair of cutesy loafer-ish flats from goodwill, and i think i’ve made peace now.