You may have noticed around you how footwear comes in so many different shapes and sizes (literally!) and how be it fashion or leisure or pretty much opting for the basics, it is a necessary part of each day. But don’t worry if you have not, we are here to help you get familiar with shoe types, one shoe at a time, and this time, the pointers for you to keep in mind while styling oxfords for men according to your needs!

Oxfords qualify as a type of footwear for both men and women and are widely worn around the globe, as suggested by their name, as suitable for multiple formal and semi-formal occasions and events.

 The ‘How’ to the ‘Why’ of styling Oxfords for men

Taking their name from the Balmoral castle, Oxfords shoes for men are also known as Balmoral shoes. History states Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband, was the founder of these shoes coming up with lace ups for men as something new for the crowd. The youth being the first ones to endorse this shoe type, preferred to wear them in the warmer weathers and for casual events at first. Consequently, as the times and ages shifted, these shoes received more official acceptance and started featuring in the royal events and to this day are classified as the more semi-formal, if not strictly formal, shoes.

 

How to tell an Oxford from other shoe types

To pick out a versatile oxford shoes for men, among available options, you need to first be able to distinguish between other kinds of similar shoes and how they are categorized into their respective categories. For example understanding the two most commonly confused shoe types, Oxford and Derby.

Firstly, what makes the oxford, ‘An Oxford’, is how you stitch the quarters of the upper with the vamp. Simply put, stitching the quarters under the vamp makes the shoe an Oxford while stitching them over the vamp makes them a Derby.

 

Types of Oxfords

Starting with the upper constructions, if you want to opt for an evening/formal look, you may go for the one piece vamp oxfords. However, if you are looking for shoes in order to attend official and more corporate events, you may go for the toe cap with vamp option (more commonly known as the school shoes).

Other types of Oxfords include the more commonly confused Brogued oxfords (perforation/dots on the upper) as a shoe type, whole cut oxfords (one piece construction toe to counter), wingtip (pointed wing on the toe), and the more contemporary takes by design houses like Tom Ford, Prada and Alexander McQueen with their innovating the design through hybrid options.

 

Classic Toe shapes

While going for men’s oxfords, you would also want to consider different toe shapes as per your relevant event or if you plan for them to be versatile and go for more than one occasions.

The classic shapes mainly comprise of the rounded, semi-rounded and rounded square toe. But also keeping in mind the current trends, more geometric shapes have also become widely acceptable along with the classic shapes.

 

Materials for Oxfords

Now onto the materials, the best upper for men’s oxfords will without any doubt be Cow and Buffalo leathers, like Greer & Anderad makes them, ranging in different gauges as per the upper design. Popular leather kinds for uppers among the crowd also include exotic animal skins like Snake, Deer, Crocodile but what still keeps them classic is their design and construction.

Considering the wide market for men’s Oxfords in the US, you will find an extensive range of faux leather oxfords with extreme attention to detail to the variety of textures, finishes and added characteristics, providing you with multiple material options to choose from as well.

 

The Verdict!

Having covered the very basic points for considering styling oxfords for men according to you, examining these points in depth before getting yourself or your loved ones a pair will have you nicely covered!

Here are a few oxford designs which we think you might like.

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