A mature and elegant man will always pay attention to his style of dress and attire. One of the things that interest them beyond clothes is shoes. Clean, luxurious shoes will make men look much more dashing and well-groomed. Men also have many styles and models of shoes, and oxford shoes are a type of shoe that is always in the gentlemen’s wardrobe.
What are oxford shoes? How’s the shape? Under what circumstances will we use these shoes? Let’s find out together through the article below.
What are oxford shoes?
Oxford shoes are leather shoes, classic style, and have a lace sewn on the bottom of the shoe. The laces of the two uppers will be sewn together.
Currently, there are many different designs of this shoe line but all have the above two requirements.
History of oxford shoes
Around the 18th century, the forerunner of the Oxford shoe was from the high-heeled, button-down boots that European men used to wear. Over time, the manufacturer lowered the sole and replaced the button with laces with grooves on the edge. Makes moving easier, and users also feel more comfortable. And there, oxford shoes gradually formed like that.
The region of Scotland and Ireland is considered the first place Oxford shoes appeared and it was first called Balmorals. Later, students at Oxford in England switched to naming this type of shoe by the name of the school in England.
1800
In 1800, these shoes just appeared in the US, the Americans called them “Bal-type” and when it was introduced to France, the French called them Richelieu. Thanks to the two markets of the US and France, this line of shoes has grown strongly and reached out to the whole world.
Many people have said that they saw an old painting of an American with Oxford shoes and a Tuxedo. This may be an affirmation that although it was born in Europe, it is the Americans who make this shoe line popular globally.
Not only for men, but Oxford shoes also have models for women. With its elegance and nobility, this shoe model is loved and used by many women.
Today, many famous brands in the world such as Louis Vuitton, and Chanel offer shoe collections with new, unique, and novel looks.
How to recognize Oxford shoes?
Oxford shoes are lace-up and perforated shoes. The most important feature to distinguish it from other traditional Western shoe models is that the eyelets are placed under the front of the shoe and the upper is always closed. Let’s take a look at the popular Oxford shoe models today.
Basic plain Oxford shoes
The line of smooth Oxford shoes is designed with two parts, the front and rear leather parts are combined. This design is quite simple but is loved and used by many gentlemen. Because of the lightness and elegance that it brings. The color of the shoe is usually black and even polished.
When you go to a party, go to work, or go to a meeting, meet a partner … in important and polite cases, please use these shoes.
Oxford cap toe shoes
Considered to be the most popular Oxford shoe model worldwide, especially in black. The shoe has an extra piece of leather that covers the toe. Simple but elegant and suitable to go on important occasions. In Vietnam, this model of shoes in black or dark brown color is mixed with many businessmen’s suits. And it became the basic outfit that every businessman has.
Oxford brogue shoes
Brogue is a term that refers to the perforations in the body of a shoe. In ancient times, these perforations were made to allow water to flow out of the shoe as it entered muddy puddles. And now, it is purely used to decorate shoes to make the shoes more beautiful and outstanding.
People divide Oxford brogue shoes into several types based on the number and location of the perforations on the shoe body. Using more decorative motifs, shoes are less serious and polite compared to simple designs such as plain shoes.
This type of shoe also comes in a variety of colors and is often more suitable for Chinos or jeans than when wearing suits or casual pants. These shoes are geared towards the wearer’s comfort.
Oxford shoes used in what cases?
Because there are many styles, designs, and colors, we can choose Oxford shoes for many different cases.
Usually, combine plain Oxford with a suit when going to parties, evening events, and solemn cases that require politeness and elegance. This style is also more suitable for middle-aged men than young men.
In the office environment, going to meet customers, going to sign contracts… the cap-toe template is the most reasonable choice. With many textures and contours at the toe of the shoe, creating a break and more youthful.
Outfits with Oxford shoes
From the outside, Oxford shoes give people the thought that these are classic shoes, it is only suitable for vintage sets or formal suits. Usually, these shoes default to a polite, formal, and elegant style.
And Oxford is rarely combined with a casual style like Denim. Rules are like that, but rules are meant to be broken. With the current fashion concept, the break in the mix of clothes is very much appreciated.
Gentlemen can mix-match jeans with a pair of Oxford cap toes. And there are a few rules to remember: Oxford shoes should have a brogue or suede upper for a more casual look. Use brown shoes rather than black. Combine with no-break or at least slight-break cropped jeans, as dark as possible jeans, plain/no wash/fade/embroidery/ripped…
Moreover, when you combine oxford shoes with dusty jeans, these shoes will help the outfit exude a haughty, classic look to harmonize with the dusty character of jeans.
The most appropriate Oxford cap toe is a suit, or at least a button-down Oxford shirt, tailored trousers, and a navy blazer. You already have a standard outfit that doesn’t need to be adjusted for an elegant look.
Add a youthful, personality to active guys with jeans, a simple white t-shirt, and oxford shoes. You will surely be very attractive when you go down that street.
Experiencing the constant change of history in the fashion industry, Oxford shoes still retain the classic, aristocratic features of Europe. But also has the direction of youthfulness, modernity, and diverse design. Therefore, many people choose, love and use.
What socks do Oxford shoes go with?
Men’s socks play an important and indispensable role when combined with shoes. There’s a saying that goes “to wear shoes without socks, it’s better to go barefoot”. It can be seen that wearing socks with shoes is very important and it is even more important when choosing the right style.
The perfect combination of socks and shoes will make you much more elegant and dashing.
The socks used for oxford shoes are usually high-necked men’s socks, when you sit down, your ankles will not be exposed. Thus, you will be polite, and not lose points in front of partners, as well as customers.
With Oxford shoes, the rule of choosing socks is the same color or darker than the color of the pants. For example, blue pants with navy socks, and light gray pants with charcoal gray socks.
With brown, we also have a separate exception. In addition to the light and dark pigments of brown, the brown spectrum also includes many other colors: beige, ivory, tans, and khaki. When wearing brown pants and the colors in their color range. Be sure to choose socks that are darker than the color of your shoes.
When you wear pants with stripes and checkered patterns, you should choose medieval men’s socks with lighter colors in the patterns. For example navy blue pants with a gray checkered pattern, you choose gray socks, dark brown pants with light brown stripes, choose light brown socks…
