As someone who spends a large part of her life with her nose stuck in a book (When it isn’t stuck in the computer/a shoe shop, obviously), I was always going to be interested in a pair of shoes called “Bookworm”. And as a shoe lover, I wasn’t dissapointed: there’s definitely something “bookish” about brogues, but these ones by Restricted aren’t remotely nerdish – instead, they give off a bit of a “sexy librarian” vibe, if you’ll forgive the cliché! They’re just begging to be worn with a pencil skirt, a tight bun, and a pair of cat’s eye glasses, don’t you think? Before I venture even further down this cliché-ridden road, here are some details about the shoes themselves: these have leather uppers, a 5″ heel, and a 1″ concealed platform, they’re $79.99 and they’re available at Heels.com.
The brown pair would undoubtedly be the more practical choice, but I have to say, I absolutely LOVE the pink version. What do you think?
Earlier this week, I showed you a pair of brogues I don’t like, so in order to restore the balance of the Shoeniverse, here’s a pair I do like! Of course, my choice of brogue comes with a 4.3″ heel. Well, you didn’t seriously think I was going to show you a pair of flats, did you? Do you even know me?
These are by Cafe Noir, and although they’re also available in a black and grey upper, it’s this navy version which gets my vote. The felt uppers on these give them a warm, wintry feel, and make me want to wear them with tweeds, cord, and other cosy fabrics. The shape is elegant, and the wooden heel and tan stitching provide a nice bit of contrast. Definitely the kind of brogues I could get on board with!
What about you, though? These are £75.65 and you can click here to buy them at Sarenza.
There are a lot of things I could say about these shoes.
I’m not going to say them, though: well, you all know by now that brogues just aren’t my thing, and not even the addition of a Kelly green sole, or my newfound appreciation for colourblocking is going to change my mind, I’m afraid. (These are shoes that would probably best be described as “sensible”. I don’t do “sensible” unless I absolutely have to.)
I know lots of my readers love brogues, though (or just don’t like heels), so I’m keen to know what you think of this variation on the classic design? And those of you who’re with me in the “no brogues” camp: does the colourful sole change your mind at all?
I know I’ve said a few times here that I’m not keen on brogues, but I’d take it all back for the chance to wear these little beauties from Dune. The brogue styling is always going to have a slightly masculine feel to it, but the high heel makes these super-sexy too. Add a tweed pencil skirt and fitted jacket for a prim-and-proper, but still effortlessly elegant, look, or just wear with jeans for a more casual, wintry look.
I know I seem to be writing about high heeled brogues rather a lot right now, and ones from New Look in particular, but what can I say: there are a lot of them around, and I seem to like almost all of them. Maybe I should just buy a pair and get it out of my system?
These ones are £44.99 and come in one of my favourite colour combinations, tan and black, with a toe-cap to give them a very dapper feel. I’m starting to think this particular style of shoe could be the perfect choice for winter (or at least those parts of it when it’s still possible to walk safely in heels): if you agree, you can click here to buy yourself a pair!
If you have even a vague interest in fashion, you’ve probably noticed that flat, lace-up brogues are hot right now. Perhaps it’s a reaction to all of the super-high stilettos and platforms that’ve been in vogue for the past couple of years, or maybe it’s just part of the whole “little old lady” look that swings into style every now and then, but everywhere I look, people seem to be gushing over brogues.
It’ll come as no surprise to my regular readers to know that I’m not going to be joining in with the gushing: partly because I had a pair of shoes almost exactly like the ones shown above when I was in primary school, and I’ve absolutely no desire to be reminded of that time, but also because any shoe that can be described as “sensible” is anathema to me. But that’s just me. I know many of my fellow fashion bloggers have been embracing the brogues lately, so to speak, and have been looking fantastic in them, and now I want to know what you think of them? Are they shoe heroes, or are they shoe supervillains? In other words: yay or nay to brogues?
(P.S. The ones shown above are Aldo’s Kegerries brogues, and they’re available in brown or black: click here to buy them.)
I’ve never liked flat lace-ups. They have that masculine kind of look to them (or maybe it’s just the memory of too many pairs of “sensible” school shoes!) that can look fantastic on some people, but is just all wrong for me, so they’re a style I’ve always avoided. I know lots of you love this look, though, and it’s one we’ve been seeing a lot of over the past few months, and will no doubt see even more of in the next few.
ASOS have tried to make these ‘Magnolia’ flats a little more feminine with the addition of the all-over ditsy print. Does the clash of masculine and feminine work here, though? I’m going to let you be the judge of that – I’m far to biased to provide an objective opinion on this one, but if you’re firmly in favour of these, they’re £28 at ASOS.com.
“Hmmm. We want to make a pair of brogues, but brogues can be kinda sensible, can’t they? A bit granny-ish. I know! We’ll give them a pink high heel! Girls love pink! And a frill! We’ll add a random frilly bit to the front! That’s sure to work. Maybe silver, say? And what the hell, we’ll give them a peep toe. Even boots have peep toes now, so that MUST be popular. Et voila!”
Or at least, that’s how I assume the thought process that was responsible for the creation of these Poetic Licence brogues went. They’re true Frankenshoes, looking like they’ve been pieced together from the bodies of other pieces of footwear. Bizarre, no?
Still, there’s no accounting for taste, and if yours runs to pink/brown/black/silver brogues, you can buy these ones for $79 at Poetic Licence.
“Hmmm. We want to make a pair of brogues, but brogues can be kinda sensible, can’t they? A bit granny-ish. I know! We’ll give them a pink high heel! Girls love pink! And a frill! We’ll add a random frilly bit to the front! That’s sure to work. Maybe silver, say? And what the hell, we’ll give them a peep toe. Even boots have peep toes now, so that MUST be popular. Et voila!”