Of all the everyday men’s boots and shoes, the Oxford shoe is frequently regarded as the most formal. But what are Oxford shoes exactly?
Oxford shoes have a distinctive design in which the eyelet area is concealed within the vamp. This design is a timeless formal dress shoe that will always be in fashion.
Here is all the information you require regarding Oxford shoes.
What Are Oxford Shoes?
Unlike most other shoes and items of menswear, the Oxford shoe is unique due to its principal defining characteristic: the lacing system.
It’s not strictly accurate to refer to all lace-up dress shoe designs, such as Derbies and Bluchers, as “Oxfords.”
In short, an Oxford shoe is characterized by shoelace eyelets tabs that are attached under the vamp, a feature termed “closed lacing”.
Also Read: Oxford Vs Derby Shoes
Type of Oxford Shoes
Here are some popular types of Oxford shoes.
Wholecut Oxford
Due to the use of a wholecut piece of leather, this particular style of Oxford is a rare bird. Although not many brands will attempt to make a wholecut Oxford, it has recently become a very popular shoe.
If you look closely, you will see that most shoes are created by sewing together several pieces of leather. Whole cuts really show a lot of mastery and high quality because finding a whole cut piece that looks perfect can be challenging and expensive.
Although they look fantastic for business looks in other colors, wholecuts in black are a fantastic piece for evening wear.
Cap-Toe Oxford
These Oxfords are most likely the most prevalent ones. The Oxford shoe has an additional piece of leather added to the toe, giving it its name, in addition to the standard vamps and quarters. There may be broguing on the cap of some of them.
When it comes to business attire, cap-toe Oxfords are a must, though they might be deemed too casual for white tie occasions. They can be made to work well for business casual outfits with some broguing.
Wing-Tip Oxford
The toe cap of the wing-tip Oxford has some extensions that reach the sides of the shoes. Depending on the point of view, you will see they have an “M” or “W” shape.
Compared to Cap-toe Oxfords, they are thought to be a little more casual, and the majority of them will have some broguing. Oxford shoes can be worn with jeans or chinos in addition to business suits.
Austerity Brogue Oxford
This is a rara avis, much like wholecut Oxfords. It is a wingtip Oxford, but despite being called “Brogue” it actually has no broguing.
These shoes have a fascinating backstory. Due to the demand for leather for military boots during World War II, there was a shortage of the material.
Plain-Toe Oxford
These Oxfords don’t feature a cap-toe, so that’s where the name comes from. They might need to brogue on the throat. Black plain-toe Oxfords are the standard dress shoe for black- or white-tie occasions.
However, they can also be very useful to wear with your business suits if they come in other colors.
How Are Oxford Shoes Worn?
Can Oxford shoes be worn informally? Of course, although lighter-colored leathers or suede oxford shoes are usually simpler to match with casual attire.
Dress shoes are a very versatile option to own because they go well with business attire, suits, and even denim. No matter the occasion, a simple black oxford is always appropriate.
When to Wear An Oxford Shoe?
Oxfords are the perfect shoe to wear for that special occasion when you need to elevate your ensemble. The Oxford shoe will easily spruce up your appearance if you’re heading out for the evening to a nice dinner and a show.
Of course, for a wedding or other formal occasion, the Oxford goes fantastically with a tux. Oxfords come in a variety of colors, but black is the most traditional-looking option. If you have other suit colors, though, you might want to experiment.
Black, brown, tan, and burgundy are just a few of the many colors available in most Oxfords.
Although we wouldn’t necessarily advise wearing them with a T-shirt, oxfords are excellent for dressing up a more casual button-down shirt. T-shirts in a more casual setting wouldn’t go well with Oxford shoes.
Depending on whether you’re wearing a suit coat or not, they can go well with both a business professional and a business casual outfit.
Conclusion: What Are Oxford Shoes
As you have seen, Oxfords were the start of a shoe revolution and today they are the most classic shoes available. They are your go-to formal shoes because they have a slimmer silhouette than Derbies because of their closed-lacing system.
But having seen the various styles of Oxford shoes, we can also see how adaptable they are.
Oxfords are unquestionably one of the first types of dress shoes you should own, from the good wholecuts that will rule the night at an evening reception to the wingtips for more casual looks.
Read More: What Are Derby Shoes?
FAQs
Why Are Oxford Shoes Called Oxford Shoes?
Students from the renowned English university Oxford University are said to have named the most formal shoe fashion, which is thought to have been around for more than two centuries.
Why Are Oxford Shoes Popular?
Since Oxfords have historical roots that go back to the 1800s, they have a sense of authenticity and tradition that elevates any outfit.
Why Are Oxford Shoes So Expensive?
The materials used to make the shoes are one of the causes. High-end leather, which can be more expensive than the materials used to make sneakers, is frequently used to make dress shoes.
