Neat Tuesday TREND: Perfectly Portland oxford shoes
February 23, 2010 by karenvitt
Filed under Neat STUFF
By Erin Flesch, NEAT Contributor
Every now and then a trend comes along that just feels distinctly Portland. Right now, oxford shoes are that trend. A little bit vintage, appropriately kooky and a whole lot of cool (in that I’m-not-trying way), oxfords are the perfect mascot for our city’s collective style aesthetic.
Nope, this isn't Sarah Fennell. It's a model wearing Steve Madden Tuxxedo oxford flats from Nordstrom.
Take Sarah Fennell, for instance. She is the quintessential Portland gal, juggling multiple roles as both a drummer in the local band What Hearts and enjoying her day job as a music teacher. We bumped into this stylish multi-hyphenate lunching at Pambiche in Northeast Portland this weekend, wearing a pair of low-heeled brown oxfords laced with wide ribbons, which set off our trend radar. She joked that they were her “piano teacher shoes,” which is funny because she does, in fact, teach piano.
When we asked Fennell what she likes about oxfords, she corrected us – she doesn’t just like them, she LOVES THEM IN ALL CAPS. “I love the style because it’s super versatile. I can wear them casual or sassy – they work great. They also have just enough heel. I can’t wear tall stuff, so it’s nice they don’t kill my feet. I love fashion that is throwback from good eras. I appreciate good-looking shoes, and the oxford happens to be a good lookin’, thoughtful shoe. I love all the stitching and different shoelace setups. Tennies are nice, but oxfords are nicer.” Couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Unfortunately, Fennell’s particular pair of Joy Chen oxfords were procured from the now defunct Shoefly store in the Pearl. Don’t worry, however. You can still walk a mile in her hypothetical shoes, as we have rounded up the best places to find oxfords around the city (and sometimes beyond).
Free People Boutique has a simply amazing collection of oxfords in stock right now. Our fave is their two-toned “Capone Oxford” by Jeffery Campbell with stud detailing along the toe (pictured top). This updated classic is sure to stay with you for years to come, and will only set you back $128. 817 N.W. 23rd Ave.; 503-226-8099. www.freepeople.com
SoleStruck, the stellar Portland-based online shoe retailer, has no fewer than 24 different oxford styles in stock, with heels of every height. We like the classic, preppy pair from MaraisUSA in black, white or hunter green for $90 – done in classic white, these babies can be worn with anything. They also have patent leather oxfords in five colors from Jeffrey Campbell ($110), and a darling stacked-heel “Spellbound” oxford from Seychelles ($85, right), which comes in two-tone navy/brown or green/whiskey leather and has us reaching for a mint julep right now. www.solestruck.com
Nordstrom has some cute and affordable options, too. Their simple Steve Madden “Tuxxedo” Flat fits the trend bill and is available on sale in grey and black for only $49.90 (down from $69.95). They also have a menswear-inspired ballet flat that mimics the oxford look and just might become the most adorable shoe in your wardrobe ($69.95). Nordstrom (five area locations). Downtown Portland, 701 S.W. Broadway; 503-224-6666. www.nordstrom.com
PedX Shoe Shangri-la on Alberta Street has a feminine version of the classic oxford that benefits from showing a little more (foot) skin and has a 3-inch heel. The “Chamomile” by John Fluevog ($199) makes old-fashioned look sexy. 2230 N.E. Alberta St.; 503-460-0760. www.pedxshoes.com
American Apparel keeps things classic and respectable with their shiny, patent leather Tic-Tac-Toe “Hannah” oxford ($97, shown right), available in black, white, and khaki. They look especially good when you wear a red minidress and bend over to lace ‘em up. American Apparel, (three area locations), 3412 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.; 503-231-0043. americanapparel.net
Sole in the Pearl District just got in a pair of lug-sole, stacked heel oxfords from Skechers ($69) that are a bit more chunky and modern than others, but still look comfy and cool for clomping around PDX. Sole, 1033 N.W. Couch St.; 503-222-7653. www.4mysole.com
For more solid contenders, check out the many styles at Macy’s and Urban Outfitters. This snappy spring trend is easy to find, easy to wear and oh so perfectly Portland.
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