Oxford shoes for a dress occasion

[carambau]

hi all, I am looking for some oxford shoes that I could use to an formal event. I have no idea where to start and the online shops I could see recommended are either out of my budget (+600 EUR) or have really poor reviews (ex: Hockerty).

I will likely use these 2-3 times per year. and I am ready to spend around 300 EUR. I would prefer buying in-store so I could try them but happy to try online if sizing is easy to "calculate".

any recommendations on brands or stores?

 

[KOz]

Where are you based? Can't know what retailers are available otherwise.

 

[carambau]

Where are you based? Can't know what retailers are available otherwise.

I am Switzerland but any online that can ship would also work

 

[Ypuh]

Around €300 is a fine price point to get into quality footwear. I would recommend either Loake 1880 (for example Loake Aldwych or Buckingham) or a brand that possibly deserves a higher recommendation is Carlos Santos (e.g. Harold) from Portugal. The leather and last design are a step up.

These brands are somewhat below the likes of C&J and others, but they are good and you should have no problems finding a pair that fits you great including some interesting designs, structurally for-life quality and worth it/responsive to future care and maintenance (i.e. waxing, conditioning, resoling). I don't know anything about physical shops, but all of these should be somewhat easily available to you.

Some other brands worth mentioning are
Somewhat equal level: Sanders & Sanders, Cheaney, Paul Sargeant
Slightly lower level: Meermin, Barker
Slightly higher level: Carmina, Vass, TLB

Note: Some brands are very strict on list prices (C&J, Meermin), whilst others can be found in outlets, Black Friday sales, unused-secondhand via Ebay/Vinted etc. That skews the value in favor of the 2 brands mentioned first (Loake, Carlos Santos). Personally I've got a pair of Loake's less than half the retail price and those are some of my best fitting/most used pairs (also bought some at full price without regret). My Carlos Santos are probably my best fitting pair above pairs of C&J and Tricker's, but since they're black oxfords, I only wear them 2-3 times a year. It's still a joy when I can put them on.

If you take into account value for money, my C&J and Tricker's are worn on a daily basis so the price may be higher, the cost-per-wear is worth taking into consideration.

It's a bit of a messy summary, but hope that helps.

 

[TheIronDandy]

I would add Swedish brand Myrqvist to that list. I don't have any oxfords from them, but I have 5 pairs of other shoes, and I've been very happy. Prices are around 300 euro, and it's the people running it seem truly interested in shoes.

Skoaktiebolaget (another Swedish co) have their own line called Lööf&Tung, which should also be around your budget.

And if you feel like going slightly above budget for something fancy, the noble shoe currently has a sale on Carlos Santos, which might net you these: https://www.thenobleshoe.com/products/carlos-santos-9899-handgrade-oxford-in-black-calf