The Great Shoe Quest: Oxford Edition

Did you know that it is currently in the low 50s outside the cozy warmth of my house right now?  May I remind you that we are currently still firmly within the month of August, a month that by all accounts is referred to as "summer"?  In case anyone is a little confused, as our heavenly Father seems to be, summer is defined by Dictionary.com as "a period of hot, usually sunny weather" or "the hotter half of the year (opposed to winter)". Now, I'm not saying that God is WRONG by deciding that it should be 52 degrees outside on August 22nd, and in all fairness, the sun is currently shining on the other side of the world, but really, it is my lowly opinion that summer should involve a little bit more sweating than I have had the priveledge of experiencing over the past three months.  After all, the dictionary did specifically say "opposed to winter", not "just like winter, except with rather less rainfall".

However, I suppose I should consider myself lucky that not only did I manage to break a sweat this year--and in 85 degree and below weather mind you (my Louisiana roots are horrified by my weakness)--but I also got away with wearing sleeveless shirts, on at least four separate occasions, without once wishing that I'd remembered to bring a jacket.  In fact, I think that if you were to place all of the beautiful sunny, warm days we've had this year, end to end, we've probably had close to 3 solid weeks of summer.  So, certainly an improvement over last summer, God, and for that, I thank you.  "A" for effort.

So, in short, I have begun steeling myself to the fact that Fall is advancing upon us once more, and soon I will be deep in the throes of Seasonal Affective Disorder, bursting into tears at the slightest provocation and wondering how on earth people can smile and laugh in a world so dark and dismal.  Fortunately, that should last for only eight or nine months before it is summer again and I'm no longer threatening to commit a murder-suicide if we get stationed in Alaska for our next assignment.  And of course, there are certain advantages to fall in Washington--for one thing, it once more becomes acceptable to order hot chocolate at Starbucks without people giving you the hairy eyeball.  Also, I enjoy tights and boots and outerwear, so there are sartorial benefits as well.  Then there's all of that rain, which takes care of watering the yard for me--not that I really remember to water the yard regularly in the summertime, but it relieves the pressure nonetheless.

And to make myself feel even better about the upcoming fall season, I have decided to go a little crazy and jump on my favorite trend from last year, which I never got on board at the time.  That would be the menswear trend--more specifically the oxford pump.  Honestly, when the trend first started popping up last year, I was more than a little uncertain about my feelings for it, but as the season went by and I saw more and more real life examples as opposed to the rather questionable runway looks, I really started to fall in love.  There is something undeniably sexy about menswear for women--from tweeds and military influence to the sophistication and retro glamor of the oxford.  Unfortunately, fall came to a close before my love was fully developed and I figured it was too late to get on that bandwagon, so I moved on with my life.  But when I was in San Francisco for the Fourth of July, I saw a girl wearing the most adorable pair of patent leather oxfords with a delicate high heel and a little glimmer of hope came alive in my heart.  I started searching my favorite shoe sites, and lo and behold, the menswear trend is indeed back with a vengeance for this fall and there are oxfords aplenty on the menu.

Given the huge selection and numerous choices involved--traditional oxford or loafery oxford, high stiletto heel or low chunky heel, patent leather, plain leather or fabric?--I have decided that the only solution is to embark upon another Great Shoe Quest.  Next week I will give the rundown on all of the lovely oxfords that have made the cut and will have the honor of being featured on my highly respected, immensely popular website, and then in September, I will begin narrowing down the selections to find the lucky winner of The Great Shoe Quest: Oxford Edition.  Join me next week, for the exciting season premiere!

Comments

[Jenn]

I've already started getting depressed about fall, too. Every August, I think "it's almost fall and that means it's almost time for snow, waaahhh!!" It doesn't help that the weather here has been so weird, it's been cooler than usual and really dry.

[dreamgrrl]

YES! i love a good shoe quest! p.s. i CANNOT CANNOT believe August is almost over

[MaryB]

Proposal: I'll trade locations with you. You can have the hellacious Texas heat. I love rain and clouds and 52 degree weather...I cant imagie that I would suffer from SAD. Let me know when you want to move.

I still can't seem to get into the heeled oxfords. I love menswear for women with the exceptions of the heeled oxfords and these new tiny vests...I can NOT get on board with the vests!

[RisibleGirl]

I *LOVE* Oxford pumps. I bought a pair of oxfords tnat are borderline ho' looking. BJ loves them (of course he does), but I've yet to commit to wearing them to work.

The heel on the shoe is outrageous. I bought mine in grey suede (which doesn't look to be available anymore). This color is kinda cute though...
http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=34510146

[RisibleGirl]

Hey, mine are still there:
http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=30232146&index=61&gp_coll_id=7516&gp_cat_id=7517&nav_cat_id=7519&category_id=3189

[Larissa]

You, my friend, need to move to the West Coast :)

[Annie]

Fall is my favorite! Probably because my favorite things are all associated with fall (softball season, the most exciting part of baseball season, college football, non-blistering midwest heat, gorgeous trees, Halloween, going back to school, I could go on for hours...). I long for those days!

Mmmm, shoe hunting. That, however, is a hobby you can partake in year round! ;)

[Becky]

I'm not even sure what those shoes are :) I got two new pairs of flats from Naturalizer this week and I wish you'd been here to show them to you. One is a pair of red patent leather mary janes and the other is a brown patent leather loafters with a cute buckle. I had to settle and how them to Kelley, but she at least said she was proud of me for getting out of my clogs and flip flops.

[Fraulein N]

Oh, I LOVE Shoe Quests! I have to confess, I'm probably your exact opposite when it comes to weather. I absolutely loathe sweating, so I am not a happy camper for most of the summer.

[Supergirl]

This is the first year I'm actually looking forward to cooler weather, if only for the fact that my apartment will no longer be unbearably hot.

But you are right, I am not looking forward to that horrid season we call winter. I do agree, however, that it makes it much easier to order hot chocolate at Starbucks.

[sophie]

I, on the other hand, am wishing and hoping for those few days "opposed to the hell that is Houston in the winter," that last less than 3 weeks. It's all relative.

And, have I told you how much you crack me up with the shoe thing? Not being a shoe goddess, I love living vicariously.

[Gretchen]

Ooh, I so agree with you about menswear for women. I can't pull off the whole "tie and button-down shirt" look and I really wish I could.

[e.p.]

Isn't it strange how fall is almost upon us? (Or in your case, here?) I have to admit, I'm jealous of the temperatures you've been having. Sure, it's a change but it's got to beat breaking into a sweat whenever I walk out the door.

[Erin]

Yay for a new shoe quest! I can't wait to see what you pick!