The Fashion JournalWritten By: Andrea Knight

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Outbreak of the OxfordsWritten by: Andrea Knight

Entry #1 Historical Influences – September 26, 2014

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Table of Contents

Cover Page: Pg. 1

Table of Contents: Pg. 2

History of the Oxford Shoe: Pg. 3

The Current Fashion of the Oxford Shoe: Pgs. 4-5

Comparing the Old with the New: Pg. 6-8

Works Cited: Pg. 9

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History of the Oxford Shoe

It is believed that the Oxford shoe had possibly originated in Scotland. In Scotland they

had a castle named the Balmorals Castle in which the Oxford shoe was originally named after

as the Balmorals shoe. Around the 1800’s the shoe made its way over to the Americas. In

America the shoe became quite popular with the students at Oxford University. The men at the

school usually wore a knee-high or ankle boots that were constricting and uncomfortable. The

Oxford shoe which was derived from the Oxonian shoe, which was half of a boot with slits on

the side. For the boys at Oxford University the Oxford shoe was a way of rebellion because they

were now wearing shoes that had a lower heel and exposed their ankles. The Oxford shoe even

became popular with women around the 1920’s. It was a liberating shoe not only for the men,

but also for the women. The shoes popularity came back around with women around the

1940’s through the 1950’s. The women’s shoes were a bit more interesting though because

they were able to change the height of the heel and the color of the shoe.

Although we may think a shoe looks like an Oxford it may actually not be. Surprising

right? The Oxford shoe is actually quite particular in the way it is made, for example the shoe

must have laces, a closed lace system, and it must have a vamp which is the part of a shoe that

covers the toes of the foot. Also you may notice that an Oxford shoe usually has an intricate

design of eyelets all over the shoe.

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The Current Fashion of the Oxford Shoe

Stella McCartney Fall 2014 from the collection Far Fetch

Band of Brothers Fall 2014 from the collection Trompe I’Oeil Saddle Shoes

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The Oxford shoe has most certainly come a long way since 1940’s and the 1950’s. Currently this fall of 2014, Oxfords have

been everywhere on the runway from Stella McCartney all the way to Band of Outsiders. They are a hot and hip commodity between

designers this season. Instead of a lower heel designers like Stella McCartney had totally revamped the look and raised the

shoe up to be a platform shoe.

Also designers have resorted to painting the Oxford shoes in peculiar

ways and obscure colors. For example Band of Outsiders gives the generic Oxford look a twist by doing a quirky paint job on the middle of

the shoe.

Continued…

Sam Edelman Lace-up Oxford Flats

Robert Clergerie’s Fall 2014 Green Velvet Oxfords

Comparing Old with New6 | P a g e

Another trend that is incredibly hot with the Oxford

shoe this fall is the incorporation of the fall color

schemes morphed into the shoe. This fall we see a lot of gold, blacks, muted greens,

silvers, and deep royal blues.

Not only are certain colors in this season, but

specific fabrics and patterns are trending for

this fall. For example Robert Clergerie gives us

the soft touch of velvet on the catwalk with his rich, dark blue/green velvet

Oxfords.

A lot of a designer’s inspiration comes from research and past trends. Of course a designers job is to take something from the past and create a whole look,

Continued…

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A lot of a designer’s inspiration comes from research and past trends. Of course a designers job is to take something from the past and create a whole look,

Another element of the Oxford Shoes that were taken from the past is the way the shoe laces up. Like we found out earlier in the article the Oxford

shoe laces up in a peculiar way. Most of the recent designers have not reverted away from the closed lacing technique.

Vs.

Continued…

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Fashion is a never ending cycle. One thing may be in one day and out the next. Oxfords have always been a favorite of all sorts of fashionistas. The Oxford has done a total face lift since

Works Cited

Ny.mag.com

www.gentlemansgazette.com

en.wikipedia.org

www.loake.co.uk.

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Fashion is a never ending cycle. One thing may be in one day and out the next. Oxfords have always been a favorite of all sorts of fashionistas. The Oxford has done a total face lift since