By Amy Van Veen (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: September 26, 2012
Welcome, fall.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen you. Your friend summer is staying a little too long and making morning wardrobe decisions a disaster. After all, September should be the quintessential time for scarves, blazers and boots to start filling the sidewalks instead of flip flops, short shorts and flowy tops.
It’s not that it’s the biggest deal in the world to adjust my ensemble throughout the day, especially because, for the most part, I can. Capris or leggings act as an appropriate stepping stone from shorts to pants; and sweaters are fairly easy to layer on and off, but what about my feet? My poor feet constantly being confused as to what’s going on – sandals means being too chilled out in the morning to enjoy being free in the afternoon and boots may feel comfortable before the day starts but begin to sweat the longer the unabashed sun beats down. What’s a girl to do when stuck in the dilemma of the changing season?
Well, fall, you haven’t gotten the best of me yet.
The answer? Oxfords.
I’m not saying there aren’t other fall shoes to be found. Certainly ballet flats have that timeless thing going for them and loafers are the latest trend to steal from old men, but oxfords have a certain distinguishable charm to them. And while some loafers, from a distance, may just look like ballet flats, Oxfords? they get people’s attention.
From the naysayers, the attention may be negative. Some people may try to say they’re nurse’s shoes or supportive elderly walking shoes. Others may say they’re too masculine or clunky, but it’s all in how one wears them. Paired with some cuffed trousers or cropped skinny jeans and they’ll make an outfit totally new. Paired with wide-leg trousers and an oversize button-up may make someone look like an androgynous Annie Hall. While this has its own appeal, it may be a little too intimidating to start off with.
The brilliance of this latest shoe trend, too, is in the multiplicity of styles. They can be casually shaped with comfort in mind or more structured with the clickety-clackety heel or they can be bedazzled with too many sequins to count. Some are colourful, some are neutral. Some are leather, some are suede. Some are flat and some are heeled. Some come with the standard laces and some come flirted up with ribbon ties. Some can be worn with dresses while others can be worn with pants. Some can be worn to work while others can be toned down for the weekend. But in the end of this Seuss-y shoe situation, they can be the perfect transition from sandal to boot for those looking for something other than a ballet flat to wear when the chilly morning fog gives way to the blistering afternoon sun.
So, fall, as much as I’m pleased you’re back, I’m even more pleased I found something to combat your temperamental weather: my oxford shoes.
