Summer Trends: Brogues

by Panruetai Chitrakorn

Keeping up with trends can be a hassle, not only for our wardrobes, but also our wallets.

Forget ballet pumps, straw wedges or even this season’s clogs, what we all need is a pair of slick, comfy shoes that can easily merge with most of our existing wardrobe.

Commonly known as Oxfords, brogues are low-heeled shoes, often made of leather and accompanied by encased lacing.

For the past few years they’ve been the badge of young hip celebrities – best exemplified by Alexa Chung, who wore men’s brogues with miniskirts or shorts.

Shortly after, the look was adopted by Emma Watson, Florence Welch, and Peaches Geldof.

The acceptance of traditional brogues has much to do with fashion stylists such as Katie Grand, the stylist and editor-in-chief of Love magazine. Back in 2004, when she wore a pair of brown brogues that looked as if they belonged to a retired gamekeeper. They were, in fact, by Miu Miu, and she wore them alongside a blue 60s Lanvin dress and a rabbit-lined men’s parka from Dolce and Gabbana.

Six years on, and brogues are available everywhere, from Topshop to Christian Louboutin. They also come in a variety of styles, whether open-toe, boots, wedges, or even cork-heels.

When sky-high stilettos may seem towering, and clogs impractical, brogues are as appropriate with a rose-print tea dress as with jeans. And let’s not dismiss their most important quality: comfort.

Anything cumbersome or overly embellished would be ridiculous – though some brands have revived the old-school oxford with a hip, tall heel. A little bit vintage, appropriately kooky and a whole lot of cool (in that I’m-not trying way) – brogues can give a smart look without crossing the line into matronly.

So embrace the British shoe culture and invest in some classic Oxford kicks.