About Men’s Oxford Shoes in UK
Remember those annoyingly high boots in the 19th century, intended to make you look sharp, but did quite the opposite? Well, oxford shoes were created to replace the hideous footwear, for a more versatile and comfortable pair of shoes especially for students.
The leather boots were originally called balmorals, but the name quickly got changed with a simpler label, as students willingly adopted them as a cozy yet preppy alternative, and became a trend at the Oxford university of England, the topmost university of the country, and hence, got their name.
Oxford shoes are an indispensable part of formal attire for men. You can go ahead and try to fill the gap with other formal shoes, but we all know there’s nothing that can replace the elegance and class exuded by classic men’s oxford shoes.
We are not just referring to men’s black dress shoes, since there are many other styles of men’s oxford shoes available. Although the low heel, closed lacing system and minimal style remains common to all oxford shoes, there are a lot of variations found in terms of design and material where they can be found in both men’s suede shoes and men’s leather shoes. In a shoe with a minimalist design such as oxford shoes, the material actually makes a lot of difference.
So without further ado, let’s have a closer look at the different styles of oxford shoes for men, as well as a few styling tips on how to dress them up or down according to the occasion.
Men’s Leather Oxford Shoes in Black
Can’t help but feel incomplete at a formal event without a pair of oxford shoes? We feel you.
Black leather oxford shoes are the ultimate choice when it comes to formal dress code, and for all the right reasons. Has any shoe ever compared to the versatility and class of black leather oxford men’s shoes? Probably not.
Black leather oxford shoes are mostly found with a cap toe design, which features an extra piece of leather sewn to the front of the shoe, giving it a distinct appearance and a subtle yet elegant addition to the design of the shoe. Other toe caps include whole cut, wing tip, and plain toe, the latter most being the best choice when it comes to formal occasions.
However, the cap toe design is usually the design that is adopted by most men, where you will see them wearing the footwear at the office, on the street with a smart casual attire, or even to your college with a preppier style, because let’s not forget; oxford shoes were once academic shoes for men.
Men’s Oxford Shoes in Brown
We all know about the versatility of men’s derby shoes, but what about brown oxford men’s shoes?
Sure, black oxford men’s shoes are the perfect men’s dress boots, but brown oxford shoes can be your go to choice for a range of different occasions. If black oxfords are a notch up in formality, brown oxford shoes exceed them in versatility.
Black dress shoes can be a little intimidating to wear to less than formal occasions; however, brown oxford shoes fit the brief perfectly. Dress up your brown dress shoes, with a suave navy suit, or tone it down for your office settings, with an office shirt, slacks and a brown belt to coordinate with your brown oxfords.
For a smart casual look, go for a button up shirt, chinos and along with your brown men’s oxford shoes. Switch to lighter hues for day time, and go for darker shades, for a fun night out; top it off with men’s leather jackets if the weather is cold.
Oxford Shoes for Men in Brogue
Men’s brogue shoes are a unique and subtly elegant choice when it comes to men’s dress shoes; not to mention they are extremely versatile.
Initially being created for trudging the marshes, the brogues were useful for filtering out the water that had a nasty habit of seeping into shoes from the waterlogged marshes. The perforations were actually quite a stylish embellishment to the footwear, while making it breathable.
It was only a matter of time before the perforations became more of a style statement than a functional addition to shoes, and people started wearing it as everyday footwear.
Although the brogue perforation may tone down the formality of men’s oxford shoes, they still serve as functional men’s business casual shoes, along with men’s leather loafers and men’s chelsea boots, while making them more breathable.
The perforations also adds to the flexibility of the design of oxford shoes, and paired with our Blake stitch construction method, they provide the ultimate comfort as men’s wide shoes.
Men’s Oxford Shoes in Suede
As emphasized earlier, the material used can make a difference between heaven and the earth, when it comes to the construction of oxford shoes or even shoes in general. It can tone down the formality of sophisticated oxfords to casual shoes, and elevate simple men’s casual shoes like men’s leather sneakers to something between formal and semiformal.
So, if you are opting for suede oxford men’s shoes, you might realize what this means. Suede shoes are often associated with luxury, having the ability to add a layer of elegance to any laid back outfit, where you don’t have to put much effort to make it look upscale.
Suede shoes are also more flexible than traditional leather oxford shoes, and also more versatile, however, they are also more delicate. You need to be really careful when wearing the best oxford shoes in the UK, especially on a rainy day, since they don’t do well in wet conditions.
FAQs About Oxford Shoes for Men
When to wear men’s oxford shoes?
Gone are the days when oxfords were strictly part of black tie attire. You can wear your Oxford men’s shoes in formal to semi formal and even smart casual settings without sparing a second thought or breaking a sweat.
Are Oxfords good for your feet?
Oxford shoes were adopted by students in the Oxford university due to the ease they offered, which speaks volumes about comfort the shoes offer. So, yes oxfords are easy on the eyes and form a comfortable option when it comes to footwear.
What is an Oxford style shoe?
Oxford shoes are on top when it comes to formality, due to their sleek design and elegant vibe. They feature a closed lacing system, low heel and plain toe or toe cap front for a minimalist design that provides the perfect canvas for black tie attire as well as more laid back dress codes.
Conclusion
We have seen that some pairs of oxford men’s shoes are more versatile than others, while others are more sleek and suited to formal settings. It all depends on your preference really; just make sure to choose one that suits your needs and personal style.
Still not sure about the oxford shoes you want to opt for? Then get a pair of custom shoes, or custom oxford shoes instead, to get the best oxford shoes in the UK!