Our Choice
The Office of Angela Scott
Overview
The Office of Angela Scott offers a wide range of high-quality styles perfect for any customer. They do offer more traditional and classic styles in many neutral tones, but they also offer unique and expressive, colorful oxfords that emanate style. The Office of Angela Scott offers the widest variety of oxfords among any of their competitors, with nearly ten times the options. It can be difficult to find shoes for the working woman that are both stylish and professional, but The Office of Angela Scott combines the two to create unique pieces that are both sophisticated and fashionable.
Price
$475 - $575
Highlight
The Office of Angela Scott offers a wide range of high-quality styles perfect for any customer. They do offer more traditional and classic styles in many neutral tones, but they also offer unique and expressive, colorful oxfords that emanate style. The Office of Angela Scott offers the widest variety of oxfords among any of their competitors, with nearly ten times the options. It can be difficult to find shoes for the working woman that are both stylish and professional, but The Office of Angela Scott combines the two to create unique pieces that are both sophisticated and fashionable.
The quality of oxfords from The Office of Angela Scott is truly remarkable. They are handcrafted in Portugal, and Goodyear welted. With Goodyear welting, the labor-intensive construction allows the welt of the shoe to be easily unstitched so that the shoes can be re-soled. The Office of Angela Scott aims to craft shoes that last a lifetime, and the welting process is one of many details that create these extremely high-quality shoes. Their website offers an entire page dedicated to the craftsmanship of the shoe, so the customer can learn what goes into making these luxury items.
While the price point of oxfords from The Office of Angela Scott is quite high compared to their competitors, they do offer a handful of ways to save. The Office of Angela Scott offers $50 off the customer? first pair of shoes when they sign up for Their email list, as well as the option to split the payment into biweekly installments. Additionally, The Office of Angela Scott does offer sales from time to time, as well as discount codes.
The Office of Angela Scott offers many detailed photos, fit notes, and detailed reviews for all of their oxford options. When customers are making a pricey purchase, having all of the information readily accessible is extremely important. The fit notes and size guides offer guidance on sizing up or down from standard sizing, as well as detailed accounts of the materials used to make the shoes. They also offer a "perfect fit" calculator to suggest accurate sizes to their customers in order to prevent the need for exchanges. The product pages also offer space for customers to view and ask questions, which will be answered directly by the company.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
The quality of oxfords from The Office of Angela Scott is a major pro. Customers truly receive what they pay for. While these shoes come in at a higher price point, they are handcrafted to last a lifetime. Customers will be able to replace the soles for decades, and The Office of Angela Scott prides itself on high-quality materials. This is also reflected in its packaging. The Office of Angela Scott shoes come in sturdy, elegant shoeboxes, with the oxfords themselves packaged in a dust bag inside the shoe. Especially compared to its competitors, The Office of Angela Scott stands out as the highest quality shoe.
The Office of Angela Scott is passionate about empowering the professional woman, which is inspiring for customers to see. On their core values section of the website, The Office of Angela Scott details that they are a female-founded, funded, and operated company that aims to honor women in every capacity. They believe in crafting oxfords that are both beautiful and functional and can help women feel confident as they make career achievements no matter what their path is. Seeing a brand that is vocal about its goals to empower women is powerful for customers to see front and center.
One pro of The Office of Angela Scott is their varied options for receiving customer support. They offer support both domestically and toll-free during weekdays at standard Pacific time office hours. Additionally, they offer support via email and iMessage, which is great for customers on the go who are not in front of their computer. These numerous options for live and asynchronous support provide the customer with the flexibility they need when purchasing from The Office of Angela Scott. They also provide a detailed FAQ page with advice on many common questions.
The Office of Angela Scott provides an extensive care guide detailing maintenance advice for all of their shoes. With a luxury item like these oxfords, having the knowledge on how to maintain their quality is essential, and The Office of Angela Scott makes it readily available to their customers. They also offer a shoe care kit which provides all of the care and cleaning products customers need to maintain their shoes. Additionally, all of their oxfords are Goodyear welted, which allows the customer to resolve the shoes when needed, extending the longevity of the oxfords. They also provide support via phone and email on caring for purchased oxfords.
Cons:
The return window for shoes purchased from The Office of Angela Scott is extremely narrow; it is the shortest amongst competitors at only fourteen days. Especially with shipping delays due to COVID and the holidays, this may not be enough time for some customers to make a decision about their purchase. These shoes have a high price tag, and customers may want to think for long about their decision to purchase.
Returns and exchanges on international items can quickly get pricey, as The Office of Angela Scott does not offer prepaid return labels for orders shipped outside of the United States. Additionally. They do not provide refunds on any duties, taxes, or shipping costs. This may prevent international customers from purchasing?f they receive a shoe that does not fit them correctly, they will end up having to pay exorbitant fees to exchange or return them, and may opt to purchase from elsewhere.
The Office of Angela Scott does not offer their selection of oxfords in narrow or wide sizing. While they do provide recommendations for each style as to whether it tends to run narrow-wide, or true to size, customers outside the standard medium width may end up with shoes that do not fit them well. With a brand as luxury and high-quality as The Office of Angela Scott, it is expected that the products could be catered to any width foot. However, The Office of Angela Scott only stocks shoes in a standard width, which may limit their range of customers.
One con of The Office of Angela Scott oxfords compared to their competitors is the price point, at double or triple the price of oxfords from their competitors. The Office of Angles Scott Oxfords are meant to last a lifetime, but the hefty price tag may steer customers away, especially if they are looking for a more neutral, classic option. They are definitely a luxury item, so for customers with a modest budget, The Office of Angela Scott will not be the way to go.
Nisolo
Overview
Nisolo is committed to ethical production processes that try to minimize negative impacts on the environment. Their three processes, creating by the factory, partner factories, and independent artisans, are demonstrative of their eco-consciousness and desire to make the process of both creating and selling their products as pleasant as it can possibly be for all parties involved. Nisolo's factory production all takes place in Trujillo, Peru, where 100% of the workers are local Peruvians and paid living wages that are calculated to support each individual worker and his or her family. Partner factories in Le?, Mexico also carry on Nisolo's mission of ethical production, where producers are looked out for and paid fairly, and operating processes are regulated to ensure that no worker is ever being exploited. Lastly, independent artisans in Kenya are given the opportunity to grow their own businesses while contributing to Nisolo's output and still receiving fair wages and thoughtful, ethical treatment. To top it all off, all materials for Nisolo's products are sourced raw and locally from the three aforementioned production sites to create the smallest environmental impact.
Price
$136 - $185
Highlight
Nisolo is committed to ethical production processes that try to minimize negative impacts on the environment. Their three processes, creating by the factory, partner factories, and independent artisans, are demonstrative of their eco-consciousness and desire to make the process of both creating and selling their products as pleasant as it can possibly be for all parties involved. Nisolo's factory production all takes place in Trujillo, Peru, where 100% of the workers are local Peruvians and paid living wages that are calculated to support each individual worker and his or her family. Partner factories in Le?, Mexico also carry on Nisolo's mission of ethical production, where producers are looked out for and paid fairly, and operating processes are regulated to ensure that no worker is ever being exploited. Lastly, independent artisans in Kenya are given the opportunity to grow their own businesses while contributing to Nisolo's output and still receiving fair wages and thoughtful, ethical treatment. To top it all off, all materials for Nisolo's products are sourced raw and locally from the three aforementioned production sites to create the smallest environmental impact.
Women? oxfords by Nisolo are high-quality products sold at an affordable rate, with prices that never exceed $185. These prices become even better when taking into account Nisolo? frequent and generous sales and ways to save that are especially available to new customers or to any customer around holidays. The brand also offers a thoughtful way to pay, with their service Affirm, a loan-application process that allows you to pay for your shoes in monthly installments. With so many ways to save, Nisolo is a brand that won? bust the bank while still committing to quality style and customer care.
Nisolo offers three different brands of women’s oxford which amount to eleven total options of shoe when it varying in color and style. What it lacks in quantity, the Nisolo oxford makes up for in quality and versality, as these well-crafted shoes are both durable and timeless enough to last you many years and uses.. Whether you want a James Oxford, a Calano Oxford, or Emma d’Orsay Oxford, Nisolo is there to give you the best, and in tasteful, neutral earthy tones like black, brown, brandy, and sand that will suit nearly any outfit or occasion.
Nisolo is committed to providing shoes that not only look and feel great at first, but those that continue to do so over time and wear. They provide in-depth information on how to take care of their shoes and keep them in mint condition, along with offering a host of products and kits to maintain everything from a shoe? polish to its soles. Their up-front information will immediately put any perspective buyer at ease, as they will have the knowledge and means to take care of cleaning or moisture that other brands may not provide.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
With each Nisolo purchase, the company provides a living wage to the workers at their factory in Peru, going the extra mile to make sure each employee makes enough to cover all necessary expenses for themselves and their family, from food to housing to transportation. The company has routinely been committed to holding themselves accountable when it comes to calculating and paying their Peruvian producers a living wage rate and admitting and adjusting when they have been wrong. Their commitment to providing and caring for their employees sets Nisolo apart.
Nisolo's women's oxfords are all very well-reviewed, with their three types of oxfords averaging about a total 4.5 out of 5 review based on hundreds of customers who felt strongly enough about the product to come back and give their honest opinions. These reviews are thorough and trustworthy, as they are ranked by sizing and width on a sliding scale basis judging whether it fit true to size or too big or small, along with a written review of the shoe and some of the customer? standouts for the product.
The website is user-friendly and coupled with a strong and active social media presence, both of which give clear pictures of their shoes and makes interactivity with brand and other users easy. It is paramount for a company like Nisolo which operates basically only online to be both excellent communicators and easy to use, and the company seems to check all of the boxes in both of those areas.
Nisolo is extremely environmentally conscious and transparent about its production and business practices. This is exemplified first and foremost in their website, which provides plenty of open and honest answers to nearly any question a person has about their products, but is also shown in their commitment to a positive impact on the lives of their employees as well the environment. Beyond conscientiously constructing their own products with raw materials and fair practices, Nisolo also has an initiative called the Shoe Reclamation Program, which asks customers to send in old, worn, or used shoes in order to regift them to those who need them, while also preventing them from sitting in the landfills the majority of which would have ended up in.
Cons:
One major downside to Nisolo is that there is no international shipping except to Canada, which is only possible through a partner vendor. Additionally, Nisolo products are only sold online, with only one exception, their Showroom in Nashville, Tennessee, where whatever is there can be bought in-person.
Nisolo? options for women? oxfords is admittedly somewhat limited in both style and design. While the three different types offered to provide a little variety, the muted colors may seem bland, dull, or unexciting to those who wish to have a pop of color or pattern in their oxford shoe.
Nisolo's return policy is a bit tricky. It seems pretty lenient at first, allowing for a whole 30 days after the purchase for a return, but only if the shoes have not been worn or altered in any way. This may be tough, since people generally try to break in new shoes by walking around in them, even if they are a little snug or uncomfortable at first fit. Additionally, if a consumer is not paying attention, they may accidentally purchase an unreturnable product if it is marked "Final Sale" or "Exchange Only". Additionally, returned shoes will not earn the buyer a full refund, as there is a $5.95 restocking fee, plus additional non-refundable shipping fees.
There is an "Accessibility" tab on their website that you can't actually click on, which begs the question if that is only for show or if they have a legitimate commitment to addressing accessibility issues with their product that they just haven? gotten around to doing yet.
Madewell
Overview
Madewell consistently offers incredible prices and deals for good quality products to ultimately create a brand that is both trustworthy and affordable. One of the best parts of Madewell is that it offers many sales and ways to save money, including a current holiday sale for up to 50% off in stores and online, as well as ongoing 15% off sales for teachers and students, as well as for community heroes like U.S.-based medical professionals, first responders, and military personnel. With so many ways to save, Madewell establishes itself as a brand for all.
Price
$139.50 - $148
Highlight
Madewell consistently offers incredible prices and deals for good quality products to ultimately create a brand that is both trustworthy and affordable. One of the best parts of Madewell is that it offers many sales and ways to save money, including a current holiday sale for up to 50% off in stores and online, as well as ongoing 15% off sales for teachers and students, as well as for community heroes like U.S.-based medical professionals, first responders, and military personnel. With so many ways to save, Madewell establishes itself as a brand for all.
Madewell makes it clear that they are completely committed to both being a socially responsible company as well as serving and promoting a more socially conscious consumer base. Their website highlights various initiatives for accessibility, the Black Lives Matter Movement, COVID-19, and gender equality. In addition, Madewell is very transparent about their policies and practices from animal and wildlife protection to reducing chemical output to ensuring ethical vendor conduct, which shows how much they care about their customers as well as their own legacy and impact on people and the environment.
While there are only three offerings for women? oxfords, what they do have covers all of the bases of quality, color, and varied style, with standard black and brown pairs that can be a staple or complement to any outfit, but also a fun patterned oxford that adds a pop of personality starting from the bottom up. No matter what you choose, Madewell offers a visually appealing and well-made oxford that fits perfectly with nearly any clothing or occasion.
Madewell makes your comfort the top priority, as their women's oxfords come complete with built-in MWL Cloudlift Lite padding that negates any painful or long process breaking in the shoes. These padded insoles have a memory foam lining that will pillow and support your feet no matter your size, shape, or type of arch. It is an included price and amenity for an already high-quality shoe that even provides half sizes in an effort to give you the best possible fit.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Madewell makes sure to cover their bases when it comes to communication and presence. With official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, YouTube, and Spotify, as well as active email accounts and phone lines for consumers both domestic and international, Madewell makes itself as interactive and supportive to as many people as it can.
Madewell creates a very strong sense of community by raising up smaller and/or independent businesses with its Hometown Heroes Hub, while also connecting to the communities where they have physical stores by creating equal opportunity job opportunities and making accessibility, ethical practices, and social justice their priorities. They routinely demonstrate a willingness to learn from their community so they can improve and satisfy both their consumers and employees alike.
Madewell has a fairly lenient and flexible return policy that goes for both domestic and international orders, as both allow for returns with a full refund or exchange up to 30 days after the initial purchase, as long as the products are undamaged, unworn, or remain in their original condition.
Madewell makes a continuous effort to be eco-conscious by offering paperless receipts, LED lights in their physical stores, selling water in recyclable boxes instead of plastic bottles at their stores, and donating clothing samples to Cotton? Blue Jeans Go Green·program, Good360 and FabScrap so they aren't sent to landfills instead. Additionally, by 2030 they plan for all of their operations to be carbon neutral.
Cons:
Ultimately, there are very few options to choose from in style, color, and most of all, size. Two of the three pairs of shoes only come in size 5s and 5 1/2s, which is extremely limiting and would exclude the majority of women, leaving just one shoe, Madewell? plain black oxfords, as a consumer? option.
Madewell offers so many different things, from clothes to accessories to bags and more, that it seems possible their shoes could not be as high quality as some of the other vendors, as they may not their top priority or main focus. Also because there are so many Madewell stores, the products may be more mass-produced and made in less eco-friendly or careful ways compared to some of the more concentrated or small vendors.
While the reviews the shoes do have are high, there aren't that many reviews to go off, especially if you are conflicted and having difficulty making a final decision. Even more frustrating is the fact that it seems reviewers cannot post pictures to go along with their review, thus making it difficult to get a full grasp on how the product looks for regular consumers and not just the models in their promotional shoots.
Besides a small blurb at the bottom of their shoe page on their website, not much information is provided on how to actually care for and prolong the original good, clean quality of their oxfords. The product care tips and tricks they do have seem geared more towards clothing than shoes.
Frye Company
Overview
Frye Company is an American-based company with a rich history of over 100 years dedicating itself to making high-quality footwear and looking out for the American people. Their dedication to making a positive difference in this nation influenced them to partner with Feeding America, the U.S.? largest hunger relief organization, to whom Frye has donated over two million meals and counting. This is a company that cares deeply about its customers.
Price
$198 - $398
Highlight
Frye Company is an American-based company with a rich history of over 100 years dedicating itself to making high-quality footwear and looking out for the American people. Their dedication to making a positive difference in this nation influenced them to partner with Feeding America, the U.S.? largest hunger relief organization, to whom Frye has donated over two million meals and counting. This is a company that cares deeply about its customers.
The Frye Company offers the Frye Refurbishing Center as a one year warranty for their customers to repair or replace any purchased item that may have been damaged or poorly made before it has been used or worn. This warranty covers any shoes, bags, or small leather goods that have been made for and vended by an authorized Frye retailer, and lets you rest assured that you are receiving only the best they have to offer.
With The Frye Company, you can count consistently high-quality shoes from a company dedicated to craftsmanship and attention to detail. Frye? women? oxfords range in sizes and have a classic, clean look so that look and feel great with nearly any outfit or situation. Frye keeps it simple with their oxfords in order to create the best quality shoe that will last you many years of wear.
The Frye Company offers several different ways to save money, from giving new customers $50 off of their first order of $250 or more, to free U.S. ground shipping on orders of $150 or more, to holiday and seasonal sales that end up striking a lot off on some prices that were initially on the higher end of the spectrum.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
The Frye Company has a very generous 60-day return window in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which allows for free returns by mail from anywhere within the United States in an effort for a simple and no-stress contactless process. As long as the shoes appear unworn without scuff marks or differences from their original form, they are valid to be send back for a full refund (which may take up to 10 business days to process) or exchange.
The Frye Company ships its products both domestically to the 50 states and Puerto Rico, and internationally to Mexico and Canada, with resources to help you track your order and easily receive help if something seems to have gone wrong. Frye has the shipping options of Ground, 2nd Day Air, and Next Day Air, with Ground orders having the added bonus of shipping free for totals exceeding $150 or more. With their in-person stores around the country currently closed due to the pandemic, Frye makes it their mission to ensure customers all across North America are receiving their products in a timely and easy to trace manner.
While some of the prices may seem daunting at first glance, The Frye Company provides customers with a few different methods to pay and save. When it comes to making the payment, Frye offers the option of loan-application process Afterpay to cover your shoes by paying in monthly installments. Frye also has their Frye VIP and College Programs that an individual may sign up for to get more money off and receive additional perks.
The Frye Company provides stunning visuals of their various products by posting frequently on their various social media platforms. These accounts are all officially run by the company and allow for increased interactivity, community, and aid between Frye and their consumers, as well as amongst the customers themselves.
Cons:
One major con about The Frye Company and their website is that you cannot read the actual customer reviews, which makes it hard to get a sense of the product and if it fits true to size, and also begs the question of why and how each shoe has received the current star review it has. This becomes even more frustrating for shoppers who now are no longer able to physically try on shoes in person, as all Frye retail stores have been shut down as a safety precaution during the pandemic.
The Frye Company does not have many options to choose from for women? oxfords. It is hard to even know this at first, as there is no option to specifically look for oxford shoes on Frye's website. Even after you search Oxford, you are misled by the seemingly vast amount of shoes offered that in actuality are almost all men's sizes and styles, forcing you to sift through hundreds of options in order to locate a mere four different types of women? oxford shoe. This can make searching for a pair of women? oxfords a potentially painstaking and time-consuming experience.
Without sales and discounts, The Frye Company? shoes are all quite expensive, especially when compared to Nisolo or Madewell. Especially considering that Frye's women's oxfords are not offering much more in terms of style or look compared to the aforementioned two companies, it may make you wonder what exactly you are paying for and if it is all worth it.
Despite its humble and local roots, The Frye Company generally seems to be a bit more high-fashion focused rather than supporting the everyman, as it is not super affordable and seems to cater more towards aesthetic, celebrity, and fashion campaigns rather than a working or middle-class general public.