I'm of the personal belief that ever man would be better off with a pair of oxfords in his closet. They can almost always be worked into an outfit, and it's a nice dressier shoe to have on hand in any sort of 911 situation. However, "having a pair of oxfords" is a completely vague term that could take many different forms. Different interpretations of this wardrobe command lead to very different style results. There's lots to consider besides the top-- sole fabrication, thickness, color. But those things comes with personal preference. Today is about what you see from above. Brought to you by Esquire.com's style blog feature, shoe porn.

the casual
Sometimes you want your casual to be a little fancy. I would say the suede variety usually falls into this category, but sometimes stylized leather or unexpected colors or color combinations sneak in, too. These are best worn with jeans, khakis, cords or shorts (if you will). Most suit occasions call for something a little fancier, but if you're a recreational suit wearer, these might be just the thing to tone it down.
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Alden
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G.H. Bass & Co.
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Reiss
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Noah Waxman
the minimalist
For those who a shoe is a means to an end and not a way to demonstrate personality, simple is probably better. Plenty of oxfords of all formality levels come in the non-adorned variety, and simple is perfectly acceptable in the shoe game. Plain goes with everything. Sometimes the coolest options speak for themselves.
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Agnès B.
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Burberry
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Common Projects
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Grenson
the classic
When you first think of oxfords, you tend to think of the old timey detailing that went into men's shoes of yore. The wingtip embellished oxford hasn't disappeared, but it's no longer the only player in the game. Today's versions come in many varieties, some which you've seen and some that are a little updated. Sometimes a little detail is what you need to elevate an outfit, and it's a type of detail that will never go out of style. Well, at least it hasn't after all this time. And despite what you see below, these do come in more colors other than...brown. 
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Botticelli
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Ecco
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Ludwig Reiter
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John Varvatos (okay, not technically a wingtip, but the detailing is classic!)
the modern
For those not afraid of detail but not wanting a footwear throwback, the cap toe is the way to go. There is some visual interest there, but they are still pretty minimal and extremely modern. These go well with a suit and elevate a more casual pant or pant/blazer combination to super stylish levels, though generally these keep things a little fancier.
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Barneys New York
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John Lobb
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Burberry
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Mr. Hare
the flashy
These are for the risk takers. They're not always the most formal, but they're bright, daring and full of personality and detail. I'm a fan of people who are willing to step out in these in both casual and dressy situations, but I say wear at your own risk because looking clownish is possible with too much effort to make these work.
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Mark McNairy
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Tommy Hilfiger
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Paul Smith
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Oliver Sweeney
 
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Image via: 9to5Chic.com
The blogger behind 9 to 5 Chic doesn't work in fashion, but she's made it her mission to showcase her style sense in work-appropriate attire, something I'm personally a big fan of. Just because you have to dress professionally, doesn't mean you have to be drab. And this outfit is anything but. Like Jenna Lyons, I consider leopard to be a neutral of sorts, and she outfit mixes perfectly with an almost magnified version of leopard. Keeping everything in the same color family, she grounds the print mix with a belt and black pumps with wooden heels. This is such a simple, easy outfit that is made up of normal workday wear at its core, but elevated and made much more interesting with complementary pattern play. This is a job well done.
 
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Image via: CVS.com
what it is: Essie After School Boy Blazer
why I love it: I've loved navy polish ever since high school, when I was attracted to dark nails, but I didn't quite want to go with black polish for fear of the associations is used to bring. A lot of times, they add some sort of shimmer or too much blue to the formulas, and they just aren't right. I was at CVS the other day to pick up something that wasn't even near the nail polish, but naturally I passed the nail polish and this color from the Fall 2013 collection caught my attention. It's a cream formula and in the bottle it's the type of navy that look almost black, exactly what I look for in a navy. I talked myself out of buying it considering I already own at least 3 navy polishes, but I don't know if I'll be able to continue to talk myself out of this one.
where to get it: CVS (and wherever they sell Essie), $8
 
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Image via: TetinoTete.tumblr.com
Today's menswear look comes from the ever-difficult blazer over t-shirt look that walks the fine line between not quite there and effortlessly polished casual. This guy achieved the latter with his simple casual outfit. I'll admit that I'm not quite sure why sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't, but fit and blazer choice definitely have something to do with it. This guy has some well-fitting lightly distressed jeans that set the tone for the outfit. He paired them with a t-shirt that also fits well and, though it is a "graphic tee", it's clearly not something he got for free from a frat party, nor is it anything close to an Ed Hardy situation. It's understated and alone, it would make a nice casual outfit under the plaid/flannel button down that peeks out under the blazer, which is important. Again, sometimes that look--t-shirt under unbuttoned button down--can look sloppy and juvenile, but if you choose the right items, it won't look that way. He finishes off the foundation with some nice sneakers. These aren't what he'd wear to the gym and they aren't scuffed and worn, they're a sneaker for the purpose of a casual outfit. They work. Then comes the hard part: the blazer. It's not part of a suit set (which would make it NOT a blazer), and it fits him well, like a sweater. It's a well considered afterthought that doesn't scream structured and polished over a casual outfit, he styled it to make it fit with the casual vibe. It's neutral coloring and winter textures help with the casual feel as well. The finished look is easy and not fussy at all. It doesn't look like he's trying too hard, and it really elevates a simple jeans and t-shirt look for day or a more casual night.
 
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Image via: TheCut.com
The other day, I was doing my daily Pinterest once-over, and I clicked on a denim baseball hat that piqued my interest to see where it was from. Now, from a removed point of view, that hat is probably best left in the mid-90s where it more rightfully belongs, but I can think of a million outfits that it would look great with, made out of clothes hanging in my closet right now.

And then I thought about how great it is that something that seems destined to live on 90s sitcom kids would now be accepted by those in the fashion industry. But so are the neons of the 80s, wide leg pants of the 70s and mod jumper dresses of the 60s. You'll find drop-waist flapper type dresses of the 20s in stores with 40s pinup inspired shorts. You'll also see the fit and flare midi dresses from 50s housewives from some of the biggest designers. 

The past century has seen the biggest fashion innovation in history, and with it, new styles came and went practically with each decade. People always say that nothing is new in fashion, which I guess you could say is partly true, but today we're lucky enough that all decades apply. Whether fashion week runways see mainly decade callbacks or modern silhouettes, we can wear either, and mix and match as we want. Sure, people can get a little crazy with street style and experimentation, but at least it's interesting, and we can't say it's not in style. Bright colors, crazy patterns, unexpected layering and pairing, accessorizing wherever accessories will go--it's all fair game.

These days, if it comes back, it sticks. It might fade in popularity to new more popular trends, but it's still not weird to sport a trend from a few seasons ago. Stacking rings is the go-to right now, but it doesn't mean people will glare at an arm party, a trend that is technically past its peak. Designers and brands have fun with fashion. There's irony and humor and exaggeration and so many different kind of playing around. Nobody takes themselves too seriously, but it's still just as creative, artistic, respected, studied and obeyed. Now it's our game, and we don't have to retire something until we get tired of it, not when someone else deems it's "out of fashion." They give us the goods and we get to do with them whatever we want.

I love that I can wear a 90s "grunge" oversized plaid button down over a more modern maxi skirt with 70s style platform heels and accessorize with a mustache necklace. Or, you know, so many more "anything goes" combinations. We're so lucky to have so much to choose from, and the lack of limitations means outfit making can be really fun. Just a thought!
 
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Image via: Atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com
Happy Friday! To celebrate the almost weekend, I think a casual look is in order. Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific is one of my biggest style inspirations. She really thinks outside of the box in terms of what can or should "go" in an outfit, and though this is one of her more casual looks, it's no exception. This is the perfect fall put-together lazy day outfit, and it's so simple when deconstructed. At its base, it's just a classic striped long sleeved shirt over distressed, (not too) boyfriend style jeans. Instead of a jacket, she layered a chunky, shorter-sleeved fisherman's sweater over top and dressed it up with some fall-appropriate strappy velvet heels in a nice rust color. Pile on the lighter statement bracelets and opt for a clutch instead of a big bag and this outfit seems so light and girly with a cozy twist. It's something fresh now that there's a bite in the air.
 
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Madewell sweater, J Brand jeans (a T.J. Maxx find!), Frye boots
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Forever 21 leaf necklace and double ring, Asinamali (in Evanston, Il) circle ring
On cooler days, it's nice to be able to "bundle up" fall style, but leave the coat at home. A sweater with jeans and boots are the perfect combination for this temperature. Instead of your typical choices, though, it's fun to mix up the color combos. I love this color blocked sweater I found on sale at Madewell. I think it was supposed to be a summer sweater, but it's actually a pretty heavy knit, and with white skinnies and knee-high riding boots, the look is light but will keep me warm. I love winter whites, but summer and winter shouldn't get all the fun. White jeans are striking in every season, and "rules" no longer apply. This outfit is simple yet each item is bold, so I keep the accessories refined with a little leaf necklace and a ring for each hand, all in a muted gold. This is a simple, easy casual look that's still polished and feminine. It's perfect for strolling around on those ideal fall weekends. 
 
Wearing sneakers with suits is nothing new, but the contrasting styles still excite me when done well. It's not always office appropriate, but when you can add some interest to a typical suited look, it's a fun route to take. These guys do it (and some not quite suits with sneakers) particularly well.
All images via GQ Street Style photographers Tommy Ton and Ben Ferrari.
 
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Image via: Fossil and Song of Style
Fossil commissioned the blogger behind Song of Style to model in and style one of their past lookbooks, which is where this look comes from. I think this is perfect for fall, and when it gets a little cooler, would work well with tights. Fall is the season for layering, and she did a good job choosing the fit and colors that went into her cozy looking layers. The oversized sweatshirt in a faded yellow under an oversized flannel worn unbuttoned under a longer but more snug coat look effortless. All the oversized works against the short shorts (or skirt? I can't really tell, but either way the bottoms are short). This perfect weekend look is made even cooler by adding peeking socks to the heeled desert boots she chose as footwear. It looks haphazard and effortless--like she overslept for a brunch date and picked up what was on the floor, yet the chaos is controlled to the perfect proportions and mix of warm fall tones and a little bit of flirty that makes this interesting outfit one to try for the weekend.
 
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I have a multi-hyphenate sort-of cousin who, as one of the hyphens in her does-it-all life, is a co-owner of Elezar, a purse company that offers well-made and unique handbags of all sizes. She's based in Chicago, and last time I was there she very unnecessarily gifted me the above bag, and it turns out it's the large bag I never knew I needed.

I started using the bag immediately, exchanging the carry on I had originally traveled with for the new one on my way home. Soon after I returned from that trip, I started to do various work in coffee shops around NYC instead of my apartment, so this bag came in handy for easily toting around my 15-inch computer and the rest of my workday necessities. I've used it when I have job interviews, it easily holds heels, lunch and anything else I need while looking professional and still fashionable, and the neutral-but-not-overdone color is perfection for all seasons. 

Before I owned this bag, my go-to carryall was my Longchamp Le Pliage large tote, which is another ideal bag that I can't say enough good things about. But after a while, it starts to look worn and dirty and it doesn't particularly exude a specific type of style personality as a look-completer. It's very functional. This new bag, with its neutral color, interesting shape, ample pockets and roomy interior is something I don't think I could have even picked out myself, and got me thinking about how maybe next time I go "work bag" shopping, I'll have to get a little more creative. Though, now that I have this one, it's going to be quite a while until there's a next time.

This isn't the first time I've felt this way about an Elezar bag, so check out the site to find bags that won't be just what you see hanging from everyone else's shoulder.