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At some point, every person gets to the age where they realize they need a good pair of men’s dress shoes — because Chucks just don’t always cut it. As a result, narrowing down the best Oxford shoes for men is a mission that should hinge on appreciation of tradition as much as it does quality or style. The timeless designs countless brands have put forth for nearly two centuries can transition from casual to formal in seconds, serving as a testament to their enduring versatility.
Like men’s loafers, the usual range of Oxfords available is diverse. From traditional leather construction to more contemporary styles, you can find these comfortable shoes for men in various colors and materials to suit your personal style or proper dress codes. Some of the best men’s dress shoe brands, like Magnanni, Church’s, and Crockett & Jones, have long been synonymous with crafting luxury Oxford shoes to perfection, as the high fashion world has followed suit since.
Although several dollar signs often neighbor this footwear category on certain websites, that’s mainly because pricey Oxford shoes are an investment that can prove worthy for years — as long as you’re buying a good pair. Conversely, that’s not to say every good option should cost an arm and a leg, but you should still find one good enough to keep you on your feet. John Peters, CEO and founder of Amberjack says, “You can always find Oxfords on Amazon for $50, or even less, but these brands almost always use very cheap, split leather, which is highly coated and often synthetic.”
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Overall, Oxfords of all forms can make some of the best dress shoes for men (and they make amazing gifts for men, too). Whether you’re chasing the intricate detailing on brogues, fashion-forward flair on wingtip dress shoes, or the traditional appeal of cap toes and whole cuts, there’s little room for error, and anyone can find the pair that suits their style. With all that and firsthand expert insight in mind, we’ve sought out the best men’s Oxford shoes.
Colorways available: Cherry Red/Black, Purple/Black, Black
Materials: Leather, rubber sole
Dr. Martens Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “Really love this vegan shoe; I have a pair in black as well. The dark cherry color is lovely and is suitable for casual wear as well as formal. This pair in particular contrasted well with my dark navy suit. Due to the material, it takes some time to break in. I wish there were half-sizes available, but otherwise, love the purchase!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $130
Colorways available: Walnut, Dark Brown, Chili Red
Materials: Calfskin, leather
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Bloomingdale’s Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “The Strand is a very comfortable shoe. Normally, AE shoes take forever to break in, but this shoe is comfortable from day one! For me, AE shoes are not true-to-size, and I typically need to order one-half size down. These are no exception. Something else to note is that these shoes are fully ‘reconditionable’ by Allen Edmonds, meaning that for $150 you can send them away and they can be brought back to near new condition (barring any deep scuffs or damage to the uppers.) These shoes are really something special.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $395
Colorways available: Curri, Black
Materials: Leather, rubber sole
Zappos Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
What testers say: “I bought these shoes (and matching belt) for an event that I went to. The rubber soles are nice, and the shoes are very comfortable- not too narrow in the toe. They do run large (I’m normally an 8, and these are a 7). I’d recommend trying them on in store. Matt at Washington Square was very knowledgeable and sized the shoes correctly.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $385
Colorways available: Honey Tan, Cobalt, Chestnut
Materials: Full-grain leather or water-repellent Italian suede and sheepskin lining
Price upon publish date of this article: $189
Colorways available: Black
Materials: Patent leather, leather
Saks Fifth Avenue Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4/5 stars
Price upon publish date of this article: $385
Colorways available: Black, Bordeaux, Brown
Materials: Full-grain leather, steel shank, rubber heel
Beckett Simonom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 5/5 stars
What testers say: “Didn’t know what to expect with a brand I have never purchased before and everything being online. Shoes were impeccable out of the box. Craftsmanship is top-notch and the guidance about care and their sustainable practices sets them apart.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $215
Colorways available: Black, Brown
Materials: Calf leather, leather outsole
Neiman Marcus Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5
Bergdorf Goodman Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
What testers say: “I bought these shoes for my husband and he loves the fit. Normally you buy CLs in a half size up, but he didn’t have to. True to size for him. He did buy some clear heel covers to protect the red. Overall, I love them too.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $971
Colorways available: Ebony, Black
Materials: Calf leather, rubber heel
Farfetch Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.1/5 stars
Price upon publish date of this article: $1,120
Colorways available: Black
Materials: Polished calfskin
Dior Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5 stars
Price upon publish date of this article: $1,000
Colorways available: Brown, Black
Materials: Horween leather, rubber-studded sole
Price upon publish date of this article: $355.60
What are Oxford Shoes?
While their history stretches back to 18th-century Scotland, the silhouette ultimately became known as Oxford shoes when students at the U.K. university popularized them through the 1800s. Peters states, “Traditional Oxfords and dress shoes are typically made with a stacked leather heel and thin leather or open foam insole.”
Distinguished by their closed lacing and 19th-century university origins, they feature eyelet tabs beneath the vamp rather than on top of them. In other words, its strict lacing system requires people to buy a pair that fits them perfectly, as it offers a small amount of breathing room to adjust tightness and feel.
Oxford Shoes vs. Derby Shoes
The main way to distinguish between either timeless silhouette is all in the strings. “Oxfords feature a closed lacing, while derbys have an open lacing,” Peters says.
You must be thinking, it can’t be that simple, but it’s true! Deciding when and where you wear a pair is another story, though, as “Oxfords are generally considered more formal, but both styles will serve you well when it comes to dressing up for more formal occasions,” he says. That’s not to say they won’t fare well at a casual birthday party, but it’s better to bring Oxfords out of the closet for more upscale events, like weddings or corporate affairs.
What to Look for in the Best Oxford Shoes for Men
- Silhouette: While the design you pick up will likely hinge on preference or what you’re willing to shell out, the different types of Oxford silhouettes are typically associated with specific events. Take toe-cap Oxfords vs. brogues for example: “A toe-cap is considered to be more formal than brogues and would be your go-to for formal occasions,” says Peters. Nevertheless, this shouldn’t define your purchase, as “these silhouettes can all be styled nicely with a suit or business casual attire.”
- Cushioning: It’s essential to consider future repairs when buying a pair of Oxford shoes, as conventional dress shoes typically require a few visits to your local cobbler over time. According to Peters, the leather heel and plain foam insole are great “if you want a shoe that a cobbler can easily resole and if you want a very traditional look.” However, this will impact cushioning, and “the downside of this is that those are not forgiving materials and will almost always be less comfortable than a shoe that uses more modern, expanded materials, like EVA, PU, or TPU.”
- Material: As Peters mentions, the traditional construction is tried-and-true, often implementing materials such as leather, suede or patent leather and placing them atop an open sole. While you won’t find many brands that veer away from these methods, keeping an eye out for an Oxford’s outsole to confirm it has any formerly noted materials (EVA, TPU, and TU) can help if you seek more comfort and responsiveness.
How We Selected the Best Oxford Shoes for Men
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
To discover the best Oxford shoes, we consulted with an in-field expert to gather firsthand insight on what makes a quality pair nowadays, majorly accounting for new-age materials. Additionally, conducting thorough research on the Oxford shoe market and considering crucial factors such as comfort and traction played a major role, as we identified both traditional and modern designs that can withstand the test of time, style- and construction-wise. Our curation also considers customer reviews for detailed sizing feedback. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Expert
John Peters is the founder and CEO of Amberjack, a sustainability-driven dress shoe brand birthed in Brooklyn.
Meet the Author
Yoni Yardeni is a Los Angeles-based fashion and culture journalist who has written articles for publications including HiConsumption and Footwear News. Through prior stints, his work has ranged from curating buyer’s guides for the fashion world’s best boots, sneakers and jackets to revisiting Lil Wayne’s quintessential mixtapes and albums. He performed thorough research to narrow down the best Oxford shoes.
