Oxfords, Educated

Last year as the Oxford shoe steamed to the forefront of fashionable footwear, I lamented long and loud that they all seemed to be designed with at least 4″ heels, which are unwearable–or at least unwalkable–pour moi.

But last year’s class of brash freshmen have matured into more worldly and serious sophomores; une femme was delighted to find an erudite contingent of low- and mid-heeled Oxfords just waiting to be called upon. I’ve always loved a little touch of menswear, and these styles would look great with pinstripe suit, some even with a simple dress and some tights.

The low heels: small details like patent finishes and a tapered toe keep these from looking too mannish. Dolce Vita “Frank,” $129.
Via Spiga “Edie,” $225.
Circa Joan and David “Beauchamp” $109.95.

And these have a slight heel, but not so high as to preclude perambulation:


Stuart Weitzman “Granny,” $325. (Une femme LOVES these, despite the unfortunate name.)

Biviel “BV1520,” $164.95.


Jeffrey Campbell “Steppin,” $99.95. (In my experience this brand runs at least one size small.)

Boutique 9 “Jolie,” $149. These also come in a rust-brown suede and black leather. Love that conical heel!!
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15 Comments

  1. I love those Weitzman shoes too! Oxfords looked more appealing on me when I was younger, now unless they have some heel they can look like what I “have to wear” instead of “choose to wear”. Still, if I pile on jewelery I can wear them sometimes.

  2. I’m also pleased to see the wealth of Oxfords with a variety of heel options — I think the lower-heeled ones could have a great “jolie laide” or funky effect with skirt and tights (too serious for me, with a suit, but I think that could me done too, with a touch of irony). And while I tend more and more to think I look better with at least a low heel, I’m thinking that a good pair of the flats, well-made, with a decent sole, might be perfect for my 40-minute walk to work every day, much smarter looking than trainers.

  3. Duchesse – yes, context is important here. Mixing both masculine and feminine elements keeps the orthopedic factor in check (and it’s very French!).

    metscan – certainly not a look for everyone, I’ll grant. For me, these evoke a very funky Annie Hall kind of vibe.

    mater – yes, it’s the “jolie laide” factor that intruiges me as well. I could see a Charlotte Gainsbourg type pairing some of these with some wide leg trousers or patterned tights.

  4. Thomas – I’ll look for the Steve Maddens. I didn’t find any initially when I was searching online. They’re such an all-over-the-place brand. Some of their goods are hideous knockoffs of designers, yet some are clever and original.

  5. So sorry,but I don´t like any of the shoes showed. The ones with a low heel look so masculine and the the lower ones-well IMO-ugly.

  6. You might also want to look at Re-Mix vintage reproductions such as the Uptown, Avenue, and Gramercy. And the Charlotte combines lace and leather–ooh la la! http://tinyurl.com/66j2d8

    Made on authentic lasts from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s and VERY comfortable.

    (DP and other SoCal readers: the Remix mothership is on Beverly Blvd. in L.A., not far from the Beverly Center.)

  7. miss janey – I’m ready for fall too, can you tell? 😉

    LBR – I probably wouldn’t wear with skirts either, but I hardly ever wear skirts and only then with a knee-high boot.

    NancyF – I’ve actually been meaning to get over to ReMix for about a year now. I’ll have to move it higher on the priority list and take some pics and do a post. Some of those shoes look fabulous!

  8. I love the Stuart Weitzman Grannys!!! Fantastic shoe. I will do oxfords with trousers but never dresses/skirts.

  9. Just discovered that some of the Re-Mix styles are available at Endless.com. Faster delivery, easier returns (but zero style info, unfortunately).

  10. I was looking at the Biviel’s the other day – tempted by the lovely toe.
    Me poor old ‘plates’ do like a lace-up!

  11. Sacco Shoes (NYC and online)now stocks a few of the vintage patterns that are also made for Re-Mix. Same supplier in Mexico, I think. I find the Sacco sizing guide more user-friendly.