Oxford vs Whole Cut [0:00:00]
All right, gents, today, I’m answering the question, “Which shoe is more formal?
The Balmoral Oxford or the Wholecut?”
[Music] So, I’ve been asked this question a few
times and I think it’s a great question because it is a bit confusing.
When you look at the rules you look at the write-ups you look at all the information
out there, you can see that these two shoes, well, each of them have a case for being the
most formal of the dress shoes.
Now, this one right here, the Wholecut.
You can say, oh, simplicity is elegant it’s the simplest of all the dress shoes when it
comes to the overall cut and design, therefore this is going to be the most formal.
Or you look at the Balmoral Oxford and you’re like, okay, with the capped toe even this
is going to be dressier than a Wholecut because it has tradition on its side.
So, what’s the answer?
Well, let’s first talk about what these shoes are and what they are not.
So, these are going to be dressier shoes.
This one right here, this is going to be a more casual shoe not only the color, but let’s
look at the open lacing system.
Remember the back quarter when it is thrown on top of the vamp, that is an open lacing
system This shoe over here, this one is a very dressy
shoe, but the medallion right here this is going to make it a bit more casual.
This shoe right over here, notice we’ve got the wing tip going in and around.
And also, notice the design, this actually doesn’t have it, so the quarter is thrown
on.
This is going to be considered closed lacing as well, but it’s really closed lacing systems
that we’re looking at and that is going to be the dressiest of all the lacing systems.
Now, this shoe right here, notice there’s a little bit of contrast in the color of the
leather, not much, but this is still going to make it a little bit more casual.
For this intended comparison, I want to imagine that both of the shoes I’m looking at are
the same color.
Let’s go black.
Now, I only have the black in the Balmoral Oxford, I’d not have the black in the Wholecut.
But, assuming these are both the same, what do we know about these shoes?
This one has historically been the dress shoe of choice.
The black Balmoral Oxford has been the go-to dress shoes for over a hundred years.
Polish shoes up really nice, you can wear them with black tie or you can wear them with
a dark-colored business suit.
Now, the Wholecut.
This has become very popular in the last decade, but what separates the Wholecut from all the
other dress shoes out there is that it’s made from a single large piece of leather.
They’ve got to actually choose very high quality leather with no blemishes to be able
to create a shoe like this.
Whenever you create you know like the Balmoral Oxford here, you can actually take pieces
different pieces of leather, so you can take smaller pieces.
This right here is oftentimes going to cost more to manufacture because they actually
get an unblemished piece is going to be something that’s harder to find.
Another key characteristic of the Wholecut is the simplicity of the built.
Again, one large piece of leather wrapped around.
Some people will argue because of this one reason, this is the dressiest of all the dress
shoes.
Style simplicity elegance, that’s what your shooting for when you’re looking to get
dressed and the Wholecut epitomizes that.
So, what’s my verdict?
Which shoe is dressier?
Guys, I’m going to have to give the win to Balmoral Oxford.
Why?
It’s all about tradition and when it comes down to it, over a hundred years of pedigree
being worn again and again, I think maybe the Wholecut fifty years may earn its place
in, but for right now, I’ve got to give the title to the Balmoral Oxford.
All right, gentlemen, now it’s your turn.
Agree?
Disagree?
Let me know down in the comments and let me know what other type of shoe comparison videos
you’d like to see, what other questions you have.
Feel free to reach out to me over at RealMenRealStyle.com.
I’m going to link to my website down in the description of this video.
I’ve got a contact form you can always reach out to me.
And, guys, look at all the different options all the different tools I give you to become
the man you know yourself to be.
I like doing these comparison videos, but what I really like to see and I love to hear
is how you will actually take positive steps to become that man that vision of greatness
that you know yourself to be.
Sound good, guys?
Take care.
I will see you in the next video.
[0:03:55] End of Audio