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Borrowed From the Boys: How to Wear Brogues and Oxfords

2-minute read

Working as a stylist and fashion blogger for the last few years, I’ve come to favour certain pieces that I know are tried and true items in the industry. The brogue oxford shoe (Gaelic for Bróg, meaning leg covering) is one of those pieces.
I’ve worn them traveling for a month in Paris, walking 10 miles a day, and styling photo shoots with clients. They are by far one of my favorite shoes to wear. Moreover, this shoe has a deep and interesting history, dating back to the 16th century in Scotland and Ireland. What started out as a walking shoe for farmers working in the bogs became more fashionable, as business and working class men started wearing these shoes for comfort and style. So, how did women start adopting this "boys only’" shoe? Around the '50s and '60s, as liberation and freedom movements happened around the globe, women started rejecting the conformity of stereotypical womenswear. Designers, such as Yves Saint Laurent, started creating more masculine looks tailored towards women. And stars and starlets such as Katherine Hepburn and Twiggy began wearing brogues as more of a fashion statement of comfort and style. Throughout the decades, brogues have risen in popularity. Today, they remain widely popular, often paired with designer fashion pieces on the runways in New York and Paris. While you may not need to wear couture to look great in brogues, here are a few ways to style them. Whether it’s with your favourite pair of jeans or a great looking skirt, the brogue goes a long way.

Look #1: Poppy Barley's Eleanor Brogue with jeans and a trench coat

Borrowed from the Boys: Conni Jespersen from Art in the Find shows us how to wear her Poppy Barley brogues Borrowed from the Boys: Conni Jespersen from Art in the Find shows us how to wear her Poppy Barley brogues Borrowed from the Boys: Conni Jespersen from Art in the Find shows us how to wear her Poppy Barley brogues Borrowed from the Boys: Conni Jespersen from Art in the Find shows us how to wear her Poppy Barley brogues One of the easiest ways to integrate brogues into your day-to-day wardrobe is to pair them with dark skinny jeans, offsetting the look with a great plaid shirt and layering with the perfect trench coat. You can wear this in a casual work setting or on the weekend. The caramel colour of Poppy Barley's Eleanor Brogue pairs perfectly with blue and black tones.

Look #2: Poppy Barley's Eleanor Brogue with a tulle skirt, white shirt + jean jacket

Borrowed from the Boys: Conni Jespersen from Art in the Find shows us how to wear her Poppy Barley brogues Borrowed from the Boys: Conni Jespersen from Art in the Find shows us how to wear her Poppy Barley brogues Borrowed from the Boys: Conni Jespersen from Art in the Find shows us how to wear her Poppy Barley brogues Borrowed from the Boys: Conni Jespersen from Art in the Find shows us how to wear her Poppy Barley brogues conni-jespersen-poppy barley eleanor brogue (1)- blog On the flip side: for a more dressed up look, it's easy to pair your brogues or oxfords with a great skirt and layer a classic white button down with a jean jacket. From a weekend brunch to dinner out, it’s the easiest mix of feminine and masculine. So: shed your fears, take your brogues and oxfords out of that little box and mix it up; these classic shoes will go with almost every piece in your closet. Promise.

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The Harley Heeled Sandal Ankle Size Guide

How To Measure:
The Harley Heeled Sandal: Take a tape measure and wrap it around your foot, right below your ankle bone as that is where the strap will sit (see product imagery and fit video for a visual demonstration). This measurement is based on the last adjustment point on the strap.

Size Strap length will accommodate an ankle measurement up to the size below
5 26 cm
5.5 26.5 cm
6 27 cm
6.5 27 cm
7 27.5 cm
7.5 27.5 cm
8 28 cm
8.5 28 cm
9 28 cm
9.5 28.5 cm
10 28.5 cm
10.5 29 cm
11 29 cm
11.5 30 cm
12 30 cm

The Esther Heeled Sandal Ankle Size Guide

How to Measure:
The Esther Heeled Sandal: take a tape measure and wrap it around your ankle, above the ankle bone, as that is where the strap will sit (see product imagery and fit video for a visual demonstration). This measurement is based on the last adjustment point on the strap.

Size Strap length will accommodate an ankle measurement up to the size below
5 23 cm
5.5 23 cm
6 23 cm
6.5 23 cm
7 24 cm
7.5 24 cm
8 24.5 cm
8.5 24.5 cm
9 24.5 cm
9.5 25 cm
10 25 cm
10.5 25.5 cm
11 26 cm
11.5 26 cm
12 26 cm

Belt Sizes

Natural Waist Measurement Typical Jean Size Belt Size for High‑rise Pant Belt Size for Mid‑rise Pant Infinite Belt Size
23-25" 23/24 26" 28" 1
25-26" 25 28" 30" 1
26-27" 26 30" 32" 1
27-28" 27 30" 32" 1
28-29" 28 32" 34" 2
29-30" 29 32" 34" 2
30-31" 30 34" 36" 2
31-32" 31 34" 36" 2
32-33" 32 36" 38" 3
33-34" 33 36" 38" 3
34-35" 34 38” 40" 3
36-37" 36 38" 40" 3
38-39" 38 40" 42" 4
40-41" 40 40" 42" 4
42-43" 42 44" 46" 4
43-44" 43 44" 46" 5
44-45" 44 46" - 5

Sizing Note: For the most accurate fit, measure around your body where you plan to wear the belt. Choose the closest belt size to that measurement.

Belt Diagram Accent Belt and Complement BeltThe Accent Belt, The Polished Belt and The Complement Belt size measurements start from the beginning of the leather to the middle hole.

Belt Diagram Infinite BeltThe Infinite Belt size measurements cover the entire length of the leather.



Belt Measuring Guide

Belt Measuring Guide

A - High-rise style:

If you plan to wear your belt around your natural waistline, wrap a measuring tape around the narrowest part of your midsection. Then, add 3” to determine your high-rise belt size.

B - Mid-rise style:

If you plan to wear your belt lower than your natural waistline, you will require a dierent size. If you have a particular pair of bottoms you intend to wear your belt with, wrap a measuring tape through the belt loops while in a relaxed position.

When wearing your belt in your preferred style, it should fasten in the middle hole. The belt will relax with wear allowing you to cinch it tighter, as needed.

If you plan to wear the belt in both the high and mid-rise styles, you have two options:

  1. Select your high-rise style and fasten it more loosely when worn in the mid-rise style.
  2. Select your mid-rise style and fasten it more tightly when worn in the high-rise style.