Oxford Kicks - Comfy Fashion

I love Dr. Martins oxford shoes. They come in so many great colors and pattern combinations.  I searched long and hard to find cute pair of these shoes in my size (9.5, seriously I should not have this big of feet for my height, but anyway) it is a tricky size to find and many cute shoes aren't made in my size. Bummer. Plus even when I do find them in my size, they have a tendency to accentuate my already large feet. Not good. So I had to make some of my own.

With all the walking that is required at just Costco alone, I wanted a comfortable cute pair of shoes I could wear with casual outfits that would be feet friendly yet fashionable. (Until I got my NB 574 Kicks, I did NOT ever wear running shoes, unless I was actually running).

I found these cute aqua blue slip ons at Target and then I went back and bought them in every color they had.  Using my temporary ink sewing marker, I marked out the oxford design on ones of the shoes.

 I stuffed the shoes with grocery bags, making sure to pack the toes tight first.

 I placed a piece of tissue paper over the shoe with the design. In good light you can see the design through the tissue paper. You may want to stick a few sewing pins through the paper into the shoe to keep it from slipping while you trace.

Once you have traced out the design shape, cut the paper shape out and place it on the other should (opposite side down). Pin in place and trace the design shape on the shoe. Continue this process with all design shapes on the shoe.

Since the shoes are never going to be perfect mirror images of each other you many need to alter the lines slightly on one of the shoes to give them the appearance of similarity.


Once the designs have been transferred to both shoes you are ready to paint or another option is to cut and glue fabric onto the shoe. (I want to try that next.)  Be sure to use a fabric paint instead of just an acrylic paint.  Fabric paint has an additive that keeps the paint from cracking from wear and tear.

 Start by cutting in on the edges with the paint brush and then work to the center.

 I used a toothpick to mimick the punched leather detail in oxfords.

 Wait till they are completely dry to remove the stuffing, that way they won't have a tendency to ripple. Hope you like your comfy kicks!