“A right shoe can make everything different”. A shoe worn appropriately in the appropriate place elevates your look and style. Oxford shoes for men are compatible for business and evening wear. These shoes have a bend of formal elegance and minimal decoration, that makes it an ideal uniform wear for suits and formal outfit. If you’re going to own one pair of dress shoes, you can’t dominate an oxford for versatility and classic appeal.
What are Oxford shoes?
Oxford shoes are traditional and elegant dress shoes that feature a close lacing detailing hidden within the upper part of the shoe. These shoes are essential for modern day gentlemen. Oxford shoes are the origin of dress shoes.
These are feasible in 3 main toe styles: Cap toe, wingtip, and plain toe.
- Wingtip – Occasionally, mentioned as Brogues Oxford, broguing is known for decorative perforation, this specific pair of shoes has wingtips that widen along the side of the shoes, followed by a pointed toe cap with an ‘M’ or ‘W’ shape. Compared to Cap-toe Oxfords, Wingtip is not completely a formal shoe but they are ideal for business events.
- Plain Toe – Plain toe oxford is the most formal replication of the classic dress shoe, the cleanest and elegant version of the oxford shoes. They are manufactured in patent leather, with no detailing, giving it a sleek profile that widens the appearance of trousers. They are best for black-tie events and ideal for evening wear.
- Cap-Toe – Cap-toe oxfords are for office wear, these shoes feature a joint across the toe which is ideal for business attire. The shoe style gets its name from the production technique and making.
Defining Characteristic of Oxford shoes
Oxford shoes have defining characteristic like-
- Closed lacing: It appears a closed lacing defining on the side tab of the shoe. The lacing is sewn underneath the Vamp, or the upper part of the shoes.
- Low heels – Oxford shoes are described by their low heel, similar to a loafer or sneakers , which make them comfortable and easy to walk.
- Exposed Ankle – Oxford attributes a low-cut ankle, providing more styling options, which allow the person to flaunt their bare ankle or colorful sock.
History of Men’s Oxford shoes
At Oxford university in 1800, a half-boot also known as Oxford gained popularity because of its side slits. The students there, were bored by wearing high-boots and adopted shoes, the low cut ‘Oxford’ became the option for many students. The Oxford laces were firstly placed on the shoes exterior, taking the place of the side slits of the boots which are imitated. These types of shoes are now in trend and perfect for formal occasions like office or interview.
How and Where to Style Oxford shoes?
Formal Occasion – On formal occasions the polished appearance reflects class and stylish look. They go best with suits and impart outfits with a dapper touch. Select a black patent pair for a sophisticated and formal look, also, wear slimmer oxfords as they provide a dressier look rather than wide oxford.
When wearing suits and trousers, oxford gives you an excellent choice for formal occasions such as Office meetings, Business parties and Networking events.
Smart Casual – Wear them at various events, such as lunch, parties, dates, and casual outings. Wear Chinos or dressy jeans which will give you a desired look, and complete your look by wearing something chic on top.
You can also style Oxfords with different outfits –
- When wearing them with pants, make sure to select the right style and color of the shoes. Wear these classy shoes at weddings, dinner, cocktail parties, dates, and at formal occasions.
- For a smart casual look go for Chinos. Chinos in Navy, brown or sand color easily pair with brown and black oxford. Consider wearing short-sleeved shirts or T-shirts for a relaxed look, also try a long-sleeve button up for a dressy look.
- Wear them with jeans too, Yes, you heard it right. They look amazing and seriously stylish when you wear them with a jeans outfit as long as you wear them right. For a smart look, pair tan Oxfords with blue jeans. Brown and black design shoes pair better with darker denim, such as indigo or black.
Conclusion
Oxford shoes are also known as ‘dress shoes’, which are mostly worn at formal events, but looking at their style and classic appearance, you style them at casual events too. Make sure you clean your shoes after every wear for durability and store them in the proper closet.
