Dressing defines your personality whenever you meet somebody for the first time. Some people think dressing only means wearing a formal suit or dress. But dressing can not be complete without decent shoes. Therefore, it’s essential to have shoes that make you look elegant and unique. We decided to compose this ultimate Oxford shoes guide to provide complete details about Oxford shoes.
The list of quality, decent, and elegant shoes can not be composed without Oxford shoes. Although Oxford shoes are one of the oldest shoes in the market they still look modern. The reasons behind Oxford Shoes’ legacy are their elegance, comfort, styles, and durability. So, you can wear Oxford shoes on any formal or semi-formal occasion.
In this Oxford shoe guide, we will discuss different types of shoes and how to buy Oxford shoes for you. Moreover, you will be familiar with the history of Oxford shoes after going through this comprehensive guide.
What are Oxford Shoes:
The closed lacing is the most attractive and iconic feature of the Oxford shoes making them unique from other shoes. Unlike Derby shoes, Oxford shoes feature a closed-laced system, with shoemakers sewing the eyelet tabs under the vamp. The sleek streamlined look of Oxford shoes creates an elegant shape. This historic shoe has a low heel that provides extra comfort while walking.
Oxford shoes for men are considered the best formal-wearing shoes at a reasonable price. They come in a variety of styles to offer multiple options for different occasions and with various suits or dresses. This historic shoe is available in a number of materials, such as calf leather, patent leather, suit leather, and canvas.
History of the Oxford Shoes:
The rich history of Oxford shoes comprises centuries, their evolution from basic footwear to modern sophisticated shoes is also interesting. Here’s a brief overview of Oxford Shoes’ history.
Origin and Early Development: Although it’s still a mystery where and when Oxford shoes originated. However, some sources reported that initially half-boot style became popular among Oxford University students in the late 17th century. These shoes are known as Oxonian shoes. Such high boots were not formal and not suitable for office, weddings, and other formal and casual use.
Therefore, shoemakers introduced lower-cut designs in the 18th century to make shoes comfortable and wearable for common people. That’s how the journey of the Oxford shoes started.
19th Century Refinement: The breakthrough happened in the 19th century when shoemakers introduced the closed lacing system in Oxford shoes. Shoemakers made the Oxonian shoes look elegant, decent, and cozy by sewing eyelets under the vamp. Joseph Sparkes Hall, a Chelsea Boots shoemaker, reportedly coined the term “Oxford Shoes.”
Over time, they became popular among British people. Especially upper-class, business owners, office CEOs, and professionals commonly wear Oxford shoes.
20th Century Global Recognition: In the 20th century, Oxford shoes gained popularity in different parts of the world. In the 18th century, designers created lower-cut designs to make shoes more comfortable and suitable for common people. Oxford Shoes became the trademark of the elite class, even people wearing them casually.
Oxford shoes also became popular among women at the beginning of the 20th century. So, we can say the 20th century was the best time when Oxford Shoes grew vastly everywhere and among every generation.
Different Types of Oxford Shoes:
There are 5 different types or styles of Oxford shoes for formal and casual wear.
Plain Toe Oxfords:
Plain Toe Oxfords also known as classic Oxford shoes are one of the finest and decent shoes. These shoes are simple, elegant, and without any detailing or cap on the toes. They are highly recommended for formal wear than any other Oxford shoes. These shoes are easy to wear, comfortable, and flexible.
Cap Toe Oxfords:
Cap Toe Oxfords are another top choice among Oxfords. As its name suggests, the cap-toe shoes come with a horizontally stitched leather line across the toe box. The stylish cap-toe Oxford shoes are best for business meetings and office use. However, they are also perfect for formal occasions with matching tuxedos.
Wingtip Oxfords:
Wingtip Oxfords are also familiar with “Brouge” because of its unique decorative perforations. The pointed-toe cap with extended “M” or “W” shaped wings along the sides is the main characteristic of wingtip Oxford shoes. They are not as good for formal wear as plain toe or cap toe. However, wingtips Oxfords are the shoes you should get for casual wear or regular office work.
Wholecut Oxfords:
In my opinion, wholecut Oxford shoes are more elegant, and comfortable than others. They are made with a single piece of leather and look smooth because of their whole-cut design. You can wear these sophisticated shoes on both formal and casual occasions. Moreover, they look good with all kinds of tuxedos, suits, and other dresses.
Saddle Oxfords:
Saddle shoes became popular in the mid-20th century. From the 1940s to the 1960s, they were the staple of many American schools. Many students love the black-and-white version of these shoes. They feature a plain toe and saddle placed across the middle of the shoe. Saddle Oxfords are mainly used for tennis and other sports activities. However, they are not suitable for both formal and casual wear.
Best Material for Oxford Shoes:
Before paying for anything one should know about the quality of the product. The Oxford shoes are made with different materials like leather, suede, canvas, vegan, etc. Moreover, they come in various types of leather materials, everyone has their specifications and quality. Therefore, it’s not simple to buy Oxford shoes without having enough information about their materials.
However, this ultimate Oxford shoe guide will provide you with a clearer picture of what material is best for you. Spend your money carefully on top-rated Oxford shoes that would be usable for a long duration.
Patent Leather: If you looking for leather shoes for formal wear, then no one can beat patent leather Oxford shoes because of their high-gloss finish. The shine of patent leather shoes dramatically increases with a tuxedo or suit. Especially the black color patent leather shoes with black attire boost your mood and you look unique at events.
However, patent leather shoes are not as versatile and durable as some others. They need a lot of attention to prevent scuffing and cracking. But with great care, you can wear them for long.
Calfskin Leather: Another top-notch leather material for Oxford shoes, premium material for formal shoes. The calfskin leather shoes look refined and have a smooth texture. If you are looking for comfort and flexibility in Oxford leather shoes, calfskin would be the top option. In my experience, calfskin leather shoes are not only the best Oxford shoe style but also extremely sophisticated.
However, they are more expensive than patent leather and some other Oxford shoes. So, while buying Oxford leather shoes, keep an eye on your budget as well.
Full-Grain Leather: Full-grain leather is one of the most durable materials for Oxford shoes. You can use full-grain leather material shoes for formal and casual wear, They offer extreme durability, flexibility, and comfort, and brown material full-grain looks more elegant. Although full-grain leather Oxford shoes are highly recommended for upper-class and business professionals.
However, they require constant maintenance like conditioning and regular polishing to keep their shine for long. Therefore, go for full-grain Oxford shoes only if you manage to do it.
Suede: Suede shoes offer comfort due to their softness. The unique soft and velvety suede material comes from the underside of the animal hide. They are decent for semi-formal or casual occasions, but they are not highly recommended for formal wear. Suede Oxford shoes are lightweight, breathable, and sophisticated, but they are not as durable as leather shoes.
Additionally, suede shoes are exposed to stains frequently and are not as shiny as leather. Another thing is, usually suede material shoes start water damage from the outside. Surely these Oxford shoe buying tips will help you in the selection of the best material Oxford shoes.
Canvas or Fabric: If you are looking for lightweight and economical shoes for summer, canvas would be one of the best options. These stylish woven fabric shoes feel sophisticated and comfortable to walk in. Similar to suede, they are only suitable for semi-formal or casual wear. Keep in mind that canvas is not as durable and flexible as other Oxford shoes. However, they are budget-friendly and more stylish than others.
Cordovan Leather: Cordovan leather shoes are not very common, so we enlisted them last. Cordovan material Oxford shoes are made from a fibrous shell area of horsehide. These durable, water-resistant, and long-lasting shoes are perfect for any formal occasion. The beautiful, unique luster and smooth cordovan leather Oxford shoes are only affordable for the upper class.
They are not commonly used because of their high price and few color options. However, if you can afford these highly durable shoes, consider them for a formal collection.
Best Sole Material for Oxford Shoes:
The sole material is also a considerable factor when buying Oxford shoes. Although Oxford shoes come in multiple sole materials like leather, rubber, dainite, crepe, etc. However, people commonly use leather and rubber sole shoes because they offer durability and quality.
The leather soles offer a sleek elegant look to the Oxford shoes and protect the inner surface of the shoes. The leather soles are the top choice for formal wear because they provide a unique look to the Oxford shoes. Moreover, these soles ensure excellent breathability and keep the shoes cool and sophisticated. However, the only major issue with leather soles is less grip. You can not walk frequently on rough or wet surfaces with leather sole Oxford shoes.
On the other hand, rubber soles offer extraordinary grip and slip resistance. Therefore, rubber soles are recommended for hilly areas. They are extremely durable and long-lasting, highly recommended for casual wear. You can walk freely for hours with these breathable shoes. The only bad thing about rubber soles is that you can not wear them frequently on formal occasions.
If you are looking for Oxford shoes only for regular use, then soft and cushioned crepe-sole shoes would be a good choice. They are budget-friendly but not suitable for formal occasions.
How to Polish Oxford Shoes:
It does not matter how costly and elegant your Oxford shoes are, the life span of shoes is mainly dependent on their maintenance. The proper polishing and conditioning regularly keep your shoes fresh and protect them from scuffing. This brief guide will help you to know how to polish Oxford shoes perfectly.
First of all, take out shoe laces to access all the areas of the shoes. Then use a soft brush or cotton cloth to get rid of all debris, stains, and dust. Before start polishing, ensure the whole surface of the shoe is neat and clean. If you feel dryness on the leather surface of the Oxford shoes apply shoe conditioner.
After preparing the surface of the leather shoes, apply top-quality branded shoe polish smoothly with an applicator brush or with a soft cloth. Let it dry for 5 to 10 minutes, then use a horsehair brush to remove excessive polish. Surely you will get enough shine by following the above-mentioned procedure for shoe polish.
Final Words:
At the end of this ultimate Oxford shoe guide, I would say to consider your budget and requirements before going for any Oxford shoes. For semi-formal or formal occasions you can invest in quality leather material Oxford shoes with a style that suits you most. You can select the color and style of your tuxedo or suit combination. However, if you are looking for casual wear, then you can go with patent leather, suede, or canvas. The saddle, or wingtip Oxford shoes are highly recommended for casual or regular use.
Keep in mind, that maintenance is the key to extending the life of any Oxford shoes. Hopefully, you will be able to find the perfect Oxford shoes after going through this comprehensive guide.