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best oxford shoes 2024
Mr Porter

10 Best Oxford Shoes You Can't Go Wrong With

Elegance and timelessness rolled into a single pair of shoes.

By

When it comes to formalwear, there are a few essentials that every man needs in his closet. Oxfords are definitively one of them. You could have the perfect suit, tailored to a tee, cufflinks glimmering and tie pin-straight, but with the wrong pair of shoes, the whole thing is for naught. Oxfords, however, are never the wrong pair of shoes.

  • 1461 Mono Smooth Leather Oxfords

    best dressed-down oxfords

    Dr Martens 1461 Mono Smooth Leather Oxfords

    $140 at Dr. Martens
    Read more
  • Ludlow Cap Toe Leather Oxfords

    best go-to oxfords

    J.Crew Ludlow Cap Toe Leather Oxfords

    Read more
  • Clinton Cap Toe Oxfords

    best sleek oxfords

    Anthony Veer Clinton Cap Toe Oxfords

    Read more
  • Dean Oxfords

    best stylish oxfords

    Beckett Simonon Dean Oxfords

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  • Blake Whole-Cut Venezia Leather Oxford Shoes

    best elegant oxfords

    Berluti Blake Whole-Cut Venezia Leather Oxford Shoes

    Read more

The history of Oxfords is a long, prestigious, and slightly hazy one. The dress shoe style, recognizable by its closed lacing system with eyelets stitched directly to the vamp (thus making it look tighter and more formal than, say, a brogue), draws its roots from none other than Oxford University, where, in the 1800s, it was reportedly (aptly) named by students. Other histories cite that the style was created by Prince Albert, but no matter how you look at it, the story ends up the same: these are a damn elevated, dressy shoe.

Whether you're going for a classic look, a wingtip or a cap-toe, the right pair of Oxfords should be something that ties your look together, brings you a step up from "put-together" to "absolutely, indisputably polished." For your next formal occasion, shop the 10 best Oxfords below.

best dressed-down oxfords

Dr Martens 1461 Mono Smooth Leather Oxfords

1461 Mono Smooth Leather Oxfords
best dressed-down oxfords

Dr Martens 1461 Mono Smooth Leather Oxfords

$140 at Dr. Martens
Pros
  • Durable AF
  • Cool, trendy look
Cons
  • Hard to dress up for formal occasions
  • Leather takes a while to break in

Dr Martens has a comfortable, classic pair that you don't have to think twice about. With a versatile style crafted from sturdy leather, you can wear these all day and all night without fear of being uncomfortable—or worse, unstylish.

ColorsBlack, White
Sizes6-14
MaterialsLeather
best go-to oxfords

J.Crew Ludlow Cap Toe Leather Oxfords

Ludlow Cap Toe Leather Oxfords
best go-to oxfords

J.Crew Ludlow Cap Toe Leather Oxfords

Pros
  • Zigzagged edge on cap toe
  • Timeless look
Cons
  • Limited color options

As with most categories of menswear, you can turn to J.Crew for a damn good pair of Oxfords, too. These are a timelessly elegant style, designed to look as good as they feel, down to the very last detail.

ColorsBlack
Sizes7-13
MaterialsLeather
best sleek oxfords

Anthony Veer Clinton Cap Toe Oxfords

Clinton Cap Toe Oxfords
best sleek oxfords

Anthony Veer Clinton Cap Toe Oxfords

Now 37% Off
Pros
  • Goodyear welt construction
  • Great price
  • Flexible outer
Cons
  • Runs small
  • Prone to squeaking during break-in period

Anthony Veer comes in with a slim, sleek, and affordable pair of Oxfords that you don't want to pass up. Aside from being classy and comfortable, these are effortlessly elegant, with a rubber outsole.

ColorsBlack, Chocolate Brown, Oxblood
Sizes7-14
MaterialsLeather
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best stylish oxfords

Beckett Simonon Dean Oxfords

Dean Oxfords
best stylish oxfords

Beckett Simonon Dean Oxfords

Pros
  • Elegant, unique look
  • Great for when you don't feel like wearing classic black or brown options
  • Plenty of color options
Cons
  • Buyers report a long break-in period

If you don't want to play by the book in black or brown, go for a deep burgundy shoe. These Oxfords may be a little bit outside the box, but with a classic design and elegant, burnished finished, they're a chic pick that could never be called boring.

ColorsBlack, Bordeaux, Brown, Oak, Tan
Sizes7-14
MaterialsLeather
best elegant oxfords

Berluti Blake Whole-Cut Venezia Leather Oxford Shoes

Blake Whole-Cut Venezia Leather Oxford Shoes
best elegant oxfords

Berluti Blake Whole-Cut Venezia Leather Oxford Shoes

Pros
  • Whole-cut to show patina over time
  • Iconic, burnished look
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Fits narrow at the toe

Most shoes don't get better with age, but these do. Berluti's staple, burnished leather look is just as good on an Oxford as it is on, say, a wallet. These smooth shoes are all about understated luxury, with a whole-cut design that oxidizes and shows the patina of the hide over time.

ColorsBrown
SizesUK 7-UK 12
MaterialsCalf Leather
best everyday oxfords

Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Cap Toe Oxfords

Park Avenue Cap Toe Oxfords
best everyday oxfords

Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Cap Toe Oxfords

Pros
  • Expansive size and width range
  • Breathable lining
  • Made to support higher arches
Cons
  • Buyers report fit inconsistencies
  • Color isn't an exact match to photos

Elegant and classy, these are infallible Oxfords that you won't need to rotate out. You can wear them with pretty much any elevated look, and with a breathable lining and comfortable, flexible sole, you'll want to, too.

ColorsDark Chili Burnished, Navy, Walnut, Black
Sizes6.5-16
MaterialsLeather
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best timeless oxfords

Johnston & Murphy Danridge Cap Toe Oxfords

Danridge Cap Toe Oxfords
best timeless oxfords

Johnston & Murphy Danridge Cap Toe Oxfords

Now 41% Off
Pros
  • Cushiony insole with molded footbed
  • Vintage-inspired look
  • Perforated toe detail
Cons
  • Runs small
  • Extra narrow in the toe

You can go for a shiny, sleek, and new Oxford, but if something vintage is your vibe, Johnston & Murphy has you covered. This style is aged like a fine wine, with a perforated toe, molded footbed, and cushioned insole.

ColorsTan, Black
Sizes8-14
MaterialsLeather
best understated oxfords

George Cleverley Merlin Leather Oxford Shoes

Merlin Leather Oxford Shoes
best understated oxfords

George Cleverley Merlin Leather Oxford Shoes

Pros
  • Goodyear welted soles provide comfort and longevity
  • Made by experienced craftsmen
Cons
  • No options for width

Sleek and simple, George Cleverley has a pair of Oxfords for the modern man. These are indisputably cool, with a clean look, whole-cut, all-black design, and high-end craftsmanship that exudes luxury.

ColorsBlack
SizesUK 6-UK 12
MaterialsSuede
best designer oxfords

Prada Brushed Leather Laced Oxford Shoes

Brushed Leather Laced Oxford Shoes
best designer oxfords

Prada Brushed Leather Laced Oxford Shoes

Pros
  • Classic, timeless look
  • Leather and rubber sole for longevity and comfort
Cons
  • $$$

My dad has been wearing Prada Oxfords for years, and let me assure you—from weddings to company parties, these shoes can do it all. With a chic, stylish brushed leather finish, these are classic Oxfords that certainly don't skimp on style.

ColorsBlack
SizesUK 5-UK 13
MaterialsCalf Leather
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best luxury oxfords

Tom Ford Caydon Burnished-Leather Oxford Shoes

Caydon Burnished-Leather Oxford Shoes
best luxury oxfords

Tom Ford Caydon Burnished-Leather Oxford Shoes

Pros
  • Classic cap-toe look
  • High-quality construction
Cons
  • Pricey

Of course, few designers know their way around a suit like Tom Ford does. If he says a burnished leather Oxford with a classic cap-toe is the way to go, well, who are we to argue?

ColorsBlack
SizesUK 7-UK 12
MaterialsCalf Leather
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