Trend Alert: Brogues (aka Oxford Shoes)

January 13th, 2010

trend-alert-brogues-oxfords_011310

After all of the exotic heels of the last few seasons, we’re pleased to see the return of a classic shoe, the brogue.  Also known as oxfords, brogues are a quintessential piece in mens’ shoe closets.  But brogues aren’t just for men.  Women are embracing this menswear classic, pairing them with anything from cuffed jeans to tights and dresses.  Regardless of what you wear your brogues with, the key to getting the look right is to counterbalance the masculine influence of brogues with a feminine silhouette or details.  Here’s our seven favorite pairs of brilliant brogues:

1. Etienne Aigner Ravine | $78.95 at Zappos

2. Steve by Steve Madden Melin Oxford | $98.95 at Nordstrom

3. Steve Madden Harah Oxford | $79.95 at Nordstrom

4. Steve Madden Tuxxedo Brogues | $69.90 at Zappos

5. Deena & Ozzy Wingtip Oxford | $58 at Urban Outfitters

6. Brodie Leather Ankle Boots | $325 at J Crew

7. Elsbeth Leather Oxfords | $225 at J Crew

How would you wear brogues?  Share your style with us in the comments!

Entry Filed under: Trend,Trend Predictives,Trendscape,Trendscape,What's In and What's Out,Women

18 Comments

  • 1. Elsa Lindström  |  January 14th, 2010 at 8:20 am

    I LOVE oxfords (as I call them) with feminine skirts and dresses. They need something contrasting their masculinity in my opinion. I love number 7, gonna drop by J Crew soon.

  • 2. Donna  |  January 14th, 2010 at 5:49 pm

    Sure, I’d wear them! I bought my first pair in Germany 23 years ago and they were hip then! I don’t have any oxfords right now, but I just may start looking!

  • 3. Molly  |  January 14th, 2010 at 5:55 pm

    I just bought my first pair after seeing them in Vogue. Mine are the Erin Oxfords from Frye. http://www.thefryecompany.com/Product-Women-Shoes-Clogs_Mules-74300BLK.aspx

    Super comfy. I wore them with my skinny jeans today but can think of lots of other ways to wear them. Skirts are next!

  • 4. Lena  |  January 15th, 2010 at 7:20 am

    I have a pair of suede and patent oxfords with a 3 inch heel, very cute. Not sure I could do the flat heeled version, but the Steve Maddens (#2) did catch my eye. Might be tempted to try the look with a pair of skinnies as Molly mentioned – can’t really see these looking so great with skirts or dresses!

  • 5. Dea Diaries  |  January 15th, 2010 at 11:16 am

    I just got my pair of oxfords and I love them!! So glad I did because they are so versatile and really comfortable. Glad to see you did a posting on them!!

  • 6. GeorgieNYC  |  January 15th, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    a friend wore some simple black ones last night with a black miniskirt and black tights… thought she totally pulled it off!

  • 7. ceciliainnyc  |  January 17th, 2010 at 9:16 pm

    I have the Etienne Aigner ones listed as #1…so cute and comfy! And I got them on sale in store at DSW for $34.99!

  • 8. mimi  |  January 18th, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    A bit too masculine looking for my taste.
    I’m more of a girly-girl and prefer my feet to look feminine.

  • 9. Sophie Murphy  |  January 19th, 2010 at 6:18 am

    I remember wearing oxford shoes when I was a kid, I’m glad there making a comeback.

    The Brodie Leather Ankle Boots is absolutely gorge also, but you can get a similar version for a fraction of the price at http://www.bagsofserene.com

  • 10. Sarade  |  January 19th, 2010 at 6:43 am

    I’ve always loved JCrew’s version of these, since college. I would wear them with skirts and tights. I also got a navy blue version from Aerosoles last year. You can surprisingly wear them with many things.

  • 11. graciela  |  January 20th, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    For once, I might actually be ahead of the trend instead of at the end of it. I have plain black flat oxfords that I usually pair with skirts and black tights. I like very feminine clothing but oxfords add a nice contrast.

  • 12. Joanne  |  January 22nd, 2010 at 3:15 am

    I like oxfords and think they are a very versatile shoe. Mine are the Claudia slingbacks by Tahari – they’re a bit girlier than the normal oxford, but I think they’re a perfect balance of masculine and feminine, as they have all the menswear details in front but are slingbacks with 3″ heels and peeptoes LOL.

    My favourite look happened purely by accident though: a friend of mine had no clothes to wear to a ball (really. lol), so she went and bought the first dress she could find: a strapless white lace cocktail dress with a full skirt. Then, she wore them with the brown brogues and black vest that she was wearing that day. I loved the balance of masculine and feminine that resulted, and the brown oxfords against her black-and-white outfit (not to mention her black hair and pale complexion) added an off-kilter charm.

  • 13. lily  |  January 22nd, 2010 at 5:54 am

    I like No. 3 shoe personally, it’s very classic and the color looks great

  • 14. chloe  |  January 23rd, 2010 at 3:41 pm

    The high heeled brogues have been a bit of a trend in fall for a couple seasons now. I bought a pair of Born ones a couple years ago in an attempt to add the femine high heel touch. I’ve been through many a pair of classic buc suede oxfords from Bass over the last 15 years, glad to see I’ll be back in fashion again.

  • 15. Kiki  |  January 26th, 2010 at 7:35 am

    I like them a lot. I theory.
    I actually own a pair and I must say i am extremely perplex as to know with what to wear with them. They are black and white and they seem to look odd with whatever i try to pair them with.
    If you plan on getting back with the subject of brogues, I’d be curious to know your take on what to wear with these…
    I think that probably the brown ones (or plain black) are the easiest to live with, but what the hell do yo with the light ones ?
    Thanks for your good work around this blog.
    Kiki

  • 16. Miso  |  February 1st, 2010 at 8:01 pm

    I have a pair of black oxfords that I have been wearing for at least 15 years now. They are old fashioned, and a bit clunky. I like to wear them with subdued clothes–a grey wool skirt, a black shirt–and an unexpected twist, like bright or patterned tights. The also look good with trousers, of course, paired with a feminine top.

  • 17. Judy  |  May 8th, 2010 at 11:56 pm

    Even after so many years Oxford Shoes are always in demand, thanks to that elegant look.

  • 18. danishchair  |  July 21st, 2010 at 10:14 am

    Funny that someone else commented that they got their first pair in Germany- I did too! They are beautifully well made, black and nude/tan. I didn’t know how to wear them so I left them in the box for 13 years! Then, fate intervened and this trend emerged.

    I styled them this week in a different way. The shoes have a very formal masculine look which can be intimidating or potentially feel limiting. I believe contrast is really an important aspect for the styling. Since it is really hot here I wanted a sleeveless shirt and also felt like wearing cargos (J Brand Houlihans in vintage olive). Well… I have a couple of identical white dress shirts- good quality but old. One of them has a pocket, and I decided to choose that one and cut off the sleeves! I have a small brown and olive colored leopard print scarf which I stuffed into the pocket. So the simple yet deconstructed dress shirt looked masculine with the scarf peeking out, but the cut sleeves and faded/utiltarian looking pants provided edge. I finished the look with Super sunglasses, Lucia in Puma, a very feminine cat eye frame in a greyish tortoise shell.

    Great reading everyone’s take on this trend!


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