I recently was given the most buttery pair of brogues from the beautiful Australian brand, Skin and Threads. I always love seeing the Oxford trend on others, but I’ve never been so sure of how to make them look flattering on me. I picture wearing them with rolled up jeans, but I wanted some more tips for how to wear these classically-men’s shoes.
Immediately I wrote to Jen Pinkston of The Effortless Chic for advice. (Jen is a wardrobe stylist–who started out on The Ellen DeGeneres Show!) There are three keys, she said, to styling the trend this spring.
“First, find a good pair of skimming socks. You don’t want to look like you are wearing socks, but for all practical matters (comfort, smell, shoe longevity) you are going to want to start there. Hue makes a great pair.
“Next, be sure to balance the feminine and masculine elements. I love androgynous pieces like blazers, boyfriend jeans, and lace-up shoes. In each of those cases, though, I love to juxtapose the more masculine pieces with something super soft and feminine. A silk blouse under a blazer, a sexy camisole with a boyfriend jean, or, perhaps in this case, a retro-fitted cotton dress with a pair of brogues.
“And finally, to play them up for spring, pair them with soft pastels. A pastel palette is a big trend right now and how beautiful would that chestnut brown be next to something in an aqua or melon color? Love! The great thing about this particular pair of brogues is how easily they will transition throughout the year. You will never have to pack them away no matter what the season!”
Thank you, Jen!
[Top photo mine (Skin & Threads); Bottom left: Seth Smoot (shoes unknown); bottom right: Skin & Threads. Frye is another good bet for well-made basic oxfords.]
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