Are you looking for some oxblood shoes? Very cool! This guide will help you find a pair you love.
I don’t say this lightly, nor do I throw the “V word” around carelessly: Oxblood is one of the most versatile colors when it comes to shoes and accessories. However, unless mindfully styled, oxblood can be too loud on a suit jacket or a pair of pants, though this depends on its shade and tone.
Not so with shoes.
Oxblood is a type of red tempered by a touch of purple and neutralized by a lot of brown. The term itself comes from the fact people used to use actual oxblood as fabric dye. So, it has more brown in it than its cousin burgundy does.
That being the case, how warm and cool a certain shade of oxblood is can change depending on how dark or light it is.
So whether you’re looking to level up a neutral outfit or find shoes that can be worn with strong tones without competing with them, oxblood shoes are easy and effective.
Quick Take
Here are our top recommendations from the list:
In the realm of oxblood hues, Thomas Bird Harrow showcases remarkable versatility. Its cool undertones give off a hint of purple-ish maroon, resembling burgundy at first glance. However, you can easily style it like any other brown shoe in your collection.
The Filmore Bit Loafer by Anthony Veer features a raised back collar, giving it a clog-like feel and a sturdier appearance, making it suitable for colder weather year-round.
This is an exceptional Italian twist on the classic penny loafer, maintaining its timeless style with a sleek, modern design. It features the iconic penny saddle, lacks a beef roll, and boasts a subtle, low-profile silhouette.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
13 Oxblood Shoes
Here they are, all at different price points and styles!
3DM Lifestyle Venetian Loafer
One of my favorite loafer styles, the minimalist Venetian, can be worn as an extremely dressy or casual shoe. This version at 3DM Lifestyle takes this adaptability up a notch, thanks to its warm oxblood color complemented by black patination throughout.
The black bits never actually look too heavy since it’s so well incorporated and almost look like an extra dark brown. Still, it adds a touch of formality without compromising the Americana-friendly brown shades.
Wear these witha navy suit, or wear them with your most casual jeans — either work.
Even more, these made-to-order shoes flaunt a supple leather construction and a sturdy stacked heel — everything you want in a premium shoe.
Thomas Bird Harrow Oxford
The Thomas Bird Harrow sports one of the most adaptable shades of oxblood. You’d almost mistake it for burgundy since the cooler tint brings out a purple-ish maroon, though you can still style it like any brown shoe in your closet.
Unlike most true browns, however, this shoe can go with black pieces. The outsole is a stark onyx, after all.
All of this makes it far more interesting than the standard Oxford while remaining timelessly on-template. The perforations on the cap toe also toe the line between decorative and basic. It’s what I like to call classic but distinct.
The shoe is made in Italy using full-grain calf leather, which boasts a high strength-to-weight ratio. It’s also Blake-stitched, providing immediate flexibility while also being resoleable by a skilled cobbler.
Lethato Wholecut Oxford
What can I say? Wholecut shoes look great in shades of red.
The Lethato Wholecut Oxford is a bit of a cheat since the base is a browned vermillion, while the true oxblood hues are seen throughout the patination.
The result is a shoe that can be worn with anything a lighter, fully oxblood shoe can be worn with.
I especially enjoy the red grain work and layers on the outsole. Color-wise, it blurs the line between the upper and the sole, creating visual intrigue. It’s not for everyone, but there’s no doubt it’s striking and unique.
One thing you can’t deny is the shoe’s quality. It’s handcrafted and hand-painted, built with Italian full-grain leather, and equipped with a cushioned leather insole that will adapt to your foot shape.
Plus, that pop of blue on the outsole bottom is a fun splash of color that inoffensively peaks out on occasion.
G.H. Bass Larson in Wine
The wine colorway of G.H. Bass’s Larson Weejuns is a true dark oxblood. This means it can stand up to your dark navy suit and make that summer linen look more interesting.
It’s also a true American penny loafer, complete with thick stitches and a beef roll on each side of the saddle. Here’s why I think this hand-sewn shoe works best in oxblood.
First, it’s true that a warm brown or tan would lean harder into the design’s Americana aesthetic. However, it would move it further into the casual side of the spectrum.
It would look classy with some chinos and a button-up, but make a full suit look a little too casual on Friday.
Meanwhile, I’ve always thought stark black is a bit too chic for a loafer, which is meant to balance formality and casualness.
In oxblood, particularly this dark, neutral shade of oxblood, this penny loafer strikes a perfect balance that can live comfortably in a wide range of dress codes.
Baudoin & Lange Grand Fleurus Penny Loafer
From a traditional penny loafer to a sleek and efficiently modern one, the Grand Fleurus from Baudoin & Lange is another exceptional shoe. This model remixes a standard without taking away from its timelessness.
It’s an Italian take on an American loafer, with the penny saddle in place, no beef roll, and a low, understated silhouette. The toe is tapered but not sharp, so it isn’t overly formal.
However, between that taper and the almost chocolate variation of dark oxblood, this is a sophisticated piece of footwear.
With no exaggeration, Baudoin & Lange serves up artisanal shoes. The Fleurus Loafer is made of calf leather that’s been specifically bred and chosen for lightness, strength, and a level of suppleness and vibrancy that gets better with age.
Taft Rome Boot
The Taft Rome combines elements of several typical boot styles, giving you a useful and resilient boot that can also be worn in many different ways.
The foundation of the design is that of an aesthetically and functionally reliable service boot. I always say that if a piece of clothing has roots in the military, it’s probably a menswear essential. However, it also has the tempered, non-bulky silhouette of a chukka and the interesting texturing and surface variation of a cowboy boot.
All of the granular texture on the upper really lets the oxblood shade shine, highlighting its neutral brown layers in the valleys while doing the same with the purple layers where the light hits its exquisitely waxed surface.
As Taft advises, just be careful in wet situations. You don’t want your formerly white socks, or even worse, a formerly white carpet, to suddenly have oxblood accents on them.
Milwaukee Boot Bradford Moc Toe
If you need more proof of how great boots look in Oxblood, here’s a stunning moc toe straight from the Milwaukee Boot Company. It’s a functional boot, so I’ll start by praising the shock-absorbing sole, which is wildly comfortable.
How does Milwaukee Boot do this with such a rugged, steel-shanked, Goodyear-welted boot, you ask? The comfort system includes a strong but soft EVA outsole and a foot-conforming footbed. Naturally, there will be a break-in period, but it’s well worth getting to the other side.
The smooth and beautifully oiled oxblood upper makes this shoe look just as attractive in the city as it would stomping around the woods. It adds a refined style-forward vibe to the overall workwear look.
JAK Royal Vino
Here’s a funny-style quirk about me. I tend to avoid black whenever possible. It’s just not my color. Yet, I know that a black, low-profile, premium leather sneaker is one of the best relaxed yet elegant pieces of footwear out there.
This is why I love the Royal Vino by JAK.
It’s a cool, dark shade without going full stark black, but it can literally be worn like any black sneaker. I think the red tint gives it a touch of sophistication, too. It’s unique, but not loudly so.
The full-grain leather sneaker is lush and crafted in Portugal, which, in my opinion, serves up equally good footwear as Italy. Also, its minimal design and lack of unnecessary details allow the raw material and color to really shine.
Thomas Bird Benson Wholecut Oxford
If you’re looking for an oxblood whole-cut Oxford, but the Lethato is too red for you, then the Benson from Thomas Bird is a top-notch option. Not only is it a cooler, darker shade that allows its patination to be more subtly in, but it’s much pointier, too.
Suffice it to say, this is a fully formal oxblood shoe. The black patination really comes through at the tips and beautifully matches the black, well-heeled outsole.
As with any premium shoe, the Benson is made with full-grain leather, which is clear to see with its supple and vivid upper. Still, the Blake stitching allows for resoleable comfort despite the lack of bend points on the single-piece construction.
Anthony Veer Filmore Bit Loafer
With its high back collar, the Filmore Bit Loafer by Anthony Veer wears a bit like a clog. It’s an interesting approach to the classic bit loafer that makes it wear and look sturdier than the average slip-on shoe.
It also makes it visually more cold-weather appropriate, making this shoe a year-rounder. If you wear it with, say, tweed pants, the hems will definitely drape just a tad over the back collar, providing a more covered-up look.
And, of course, between the black hardware and stacked wooden heel, this shoe is as sophisticated and unstuffy as any bit loafer.
Anthony Veer Clinton Cap Toe Oxford
If you like unflashy standards, then the Clinton Shoe from Anthony Veer hits all the right notes. It’s on-template, but in the same way, a well-executed, by-the-book jazz standard is. It’s an unadorned, double-stitched Oxford shoe that can be worn with basically any outfit.
Everything you want from a textbook dress shoe is there, from the full-grain leather to the stacked heel. As it does, the oxblood colorway ensures that while this shoe is understated and basic, it still has character.
Otrium APL Lusso Slide
So here’s a fun fact about the shoe industry that I’ve mentioned in other articles about burgundy and oxblood in fashion. The two colorways are often used interchangeably. In the case of the APL Lusso Slide, it’s labeled as burgundy but arguably sits somewhere between the two.
It’s a moderate shade, not too dark or too light, and therefore has equal amounts of purple and brown in it. Most importantly, it’s one classy-looking slide. Fashion slides are certainly trending, but what I love about this shoe is that it definitely has a cool factor but is still pretty grown-up looking.
It’s made of Nappa leather, the same soft material often used in luxury sports car interiors, and has a 3D-molded footbed for custom comfort. Even if you aren’t into slides as everyday casual wear, this shoe will definitely level up a trip to the beach or pool.
Birkenstock 1774 Arizona
Birkenstocks, once the anti-fashion option of the sandal world, have become a go-to comfort shoe. While some think they’re overrated, I say that if you’re willing to pay the price of admission, their 1774 Arizona makes the classic design look more dashing than ever — especially in the Oxblood colorway.
It’s simple and slick, with a monochromatic design that can serve as a statement piece when paired with a fully neutral outfit. It’s the kind of sandal that makes you look extra discerning as if even the most casual footwear option in your closet is as well-made as your formal shoe.
The upper is a subtly glossy leather, complemented by sophisticatedly textured hardware. And since this is Birkenstock, the cork-latex footbed doesn’t just provide cushyness and support, but the Nappa lining ensures suppleness beneath your feet.
FAQs
Here are some quick answers to commonly asked questions about oxblood shoes!
What colors do oxblood shoes go with?
Oxblood shoes go with most colors, including black, if it’s a cooler hue, which makes it even more versatile than brown shoes. Other colors it goes with include navy, gray, and light blue.
Are oxblood and burgundy the same?
Though very similar, oxblood has more brown undertones than purple, while it’s reversed for burgundy.
Do oxblood shoes go with a navy suit?
Yes, dark oxblood shoes can be styled just like brown ones. They pair excellently with a navy suit.
Is cordovan the same as oxblood?
Cordovan is a type of equine leather that’s extra durable. When referring to it as a color, cordovan is closer to burgundy than oxblood, meaning it has more purple than brown in its formula, with a dark rose tint.
Conclusion
I tend to direct people to burgundy or oxblood shoes when they’re looking to add non-intimidating and versatile excitement to their shoe closets.
Arguably, oxblood is even more versatile and easier to style since the heavier brown tones make it more adaptable than the purple in burgundy.
That being the case, I believe oxblood can be incorporated into literally any personal style.
Do you like oxblood shoes? If so, in what style? Let me know in the comments!
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