Can you remember your grandmother’s shoes? Do you remember how feminine it looked? And how awkward you always look whenever you try to cruise in her shoes.
Anyway, the word feminine has a whole new definition now. And if that’s true, you will admit that there are women’s shoes that look like dudes today.
The world of fashion has evolved. It has evolved from the normal cover shoe style made for only women into another form of fashion known as unisex.
Shoes like loafers have been a reference point and have been subject to arguments if they belong to one gender alone.
Next time, when shopping for shoes as a lady, watch out for these categories of shoes that don’t have a definite look. These categories of shoes look like they belong to the male gender but are worn by ladies mainly, or better yet, both genders.
9 Types of Women Shoes That Look Like Dudes
Most recently, shoe fashion has immensely evolved and is marked by a lot of diversity and variety. Unlike years ago, not all footwear belongs to one particular gender, and designers are still busy making more changes.
From the way the shoe looks to how it feels, designers have devised new concepts to make different footwear. It is sure to evolve the most shortly, but before then, we would like to show you 9 types of women shoes that look like dudes.
1. Brogue
This shoe has a unique and classic appearance. The lace-up shoe possesses fewer colorful decorations, which makes it more masculine and classic.
The distinct look of the brogue comes from its numerous perforations and small holes. The brogue has an amazing history that has endured in the fashion world up until today.
However, brogues in our modern day can be traced to their roots, explaining them as a rudimentary shoe originating from Ireland and Scotland in the 16th century.
Its rich history has shown that the brogue evolved from being rugged into footwear depicting sophistication and style.
Their recognizable perforations were intended to drain water and let the shoes dry more easily during the rainy seasons.
Hence, at first, the brogue was made for adventure sports like hunting and navigating the challenging terrain of the British Isles.
Also note that there are several types of brogues, from the more informal wingtip to the more formal complete. With its “W” or “M”-shaped toe cap, the wingtip brogue is a stylish option that can be dressed up or down.
Another aspect of the brogue is the defining skill of the craftsmen making the shoe. Traditionally, brogues are made from high-quality leather, with their perforations being handmade and possessing distinct designs. This is the quality of a woman’s shoe that looks like a dude.
2. Loafer
The loafer is another interesting piece of women shoes that look like dudes that comes in various styles and can be entirely versatile. With both masculine and feminine options available, the brand is known for its elegance and versatility over time.
This laceless, easy-to-handle footwear remains classic after years of massive evolution, as it still retains its style and comfortability. For many reasons, the loafer shoe has been the favorite women’s shoe that looks like dudes.
The loafer originated in Scandinavia in the 1900s. It is believed that it originated from Norwegian fishermen, who first made this simple and comfortable kind of shoe, until a personal branding shoe company based in London developed the first loafer.
Meanwhile, a loafer was first produced as a country house shoe for the high class and the royal family. Raymond Lewis Wildsmith of Wildsmith Shoes made the first Wildsmith Loafer design as casual house footwear for King George VI.
3. Oxford Shoes
The Oxford shoes are timeless, elegant footwear with a closed lace system. A closed lace, a sleek-like design, and low heels. The designs are elaborately formal and of a high standard, which can easily fit into a woman’s wardrobe as well as a man’s.
The Oxford shoes have the most popularity in the fashion world, as all age grades can easily relate an outfit to the shoe. Its deep history dates back to the 17th century in Scotland and Ireland but was not known until it got to England.
The Oxford shoes can be a hallmark of formal and almost-informal outfits because of how less decorative and less aesthetic the designers made them appear.
These shoes are made from high-quality leather and suede. Quality craftsmanship and durable stitches have always characterized it.
Hence, the amount of attention the craftsmen always place on the making of the Oxford shoes is amazing. So, even when other shoe brands try to evolve noticeably, the Oxford brands still retain their look, hence the unisex culture over the years.
4. Chelsea Boot
The Chelsea boot is a type of women shoes that look like dudes that is versatile and all-round footwear that can fit into any occasion, official or unofficial. This ankle boot is not a solo model shoe, as it comes in different styles and concepts. Though on the side it has a slip-on design, it still possesses an elastic side panel.
This woman’s shoe looks like a dude and has a classic epicene look. It also has durable-quality leather at the upper layer, normal heels, and a lace-up fastening.
While still having a masculine appeal, it is made to fit women’s sizes. And it also provides an excellent fit for those looking for a timeless or gender-neutral look.
The 19th-century innovation originated in England but the design fizzled out, leaving room for J. Sparkes-Hall, a boot maker based in London at the time,, to redesign it.
The most promising features of Chelsea boots are their elastic gussets, which make them easy to put on and take off, and their sleek appearance.
The Chelsea boot is characterized by simplicity and style, which are both effortless. For every casual dress or formal outfit, there is a connection between the dress and this boot type. The lace-less unisex boot has a design that transcends fashion trends today.
5. Sneakers
Sneakers are smart, concise, athletic, and smooth in design, and most women wear these shoes because of the comfort they give.
And despite their original purpose for their invention during the late 19th century, sneakers are now a cultural phenomenon. Sneakers have influenced the fashion world, the world of art, and the world of sports immensely.
The original collection of sneakers, as the name implies, was designed solely for sporting events and outdoor purposes. Designers sought to make a brand that could make athletes swift, move quickly, and remain strong while in motion.
But with the evolution of the fashion world, many designers collaborated and thus redesigned a new subcultural concept where style is perceived first.
After the evolution of sneakers from their original culture, the feminine world took prominence in flaunting the footwear.
Hence, the common notion that the brand is feminine And so, adding the cushioning support it provides and the stylish design, many believe that sneakers are one of the many women’s shoes that look like dudes.
Sneakers can be worn virtually anywhere in any outfit today. From athleisure attire that serves the purpose of merging leisure with athleticism to normal casual jeans or a more fashionable outfit, this is where brands like Nike, Adidas, and Converse have made significant contributions to the development of the sneaker culture.
6. Desert Boot
The desert boot has a deep history of purpose and, as the name implies, was originally worn in desert places.
These simple, lace-up boots are often considered unisex because of the transient evolution that happened to them. The boot is known for its distinctive style of having three eyelets, a suede top, and a crepe rubber sole.
Desert Boot has a brief history dating from the mid-18th century during World War II. When off-duty, young soldiers were observed to be versatile and comfortable in the boots they wore.
Nathan Clark, a British officer, then made a civilian version of the same version.
Desert boots have this military appearance at first glance. Its original color was camouflage-like. But with the evolution of fashion most recently, the desert boots come in different colors and makes, especially a sand or taupe color.
These boots are most often associated with a smart-casual or business-casual outfit and are also considered unisex.
7. High-Top Sneakers
The high-top sneakers are masculine in appearance and are still considered unisex. They are a type of athletic shoe used for shoe style and also for other activities.
One of their major characteristics is the way the popular designs extend to the upper edge to cover the ankle.
Originally, the high-top sneakers were built for athletic purposes, especially for basketball players, to help provide extra ankle support and protection from bruises and injuries.
The likes of Michael Jordan, the first basketball player to rock high-top sneakers, led the brand to transcend from the basketball court to the fashion world.
Furthermore, high-top sneakers are worn today as a unisex trend, and so we see females rock this fashion today more often than males. Women who fancy pop music tend to wear the shoe more often, making the shoe closely tied to pop culture and entertainment at large.
There are popular brands like Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars, Nike Air Force 1, and Jordan Brand. These brands have greatly contributed to the popularity of high-top sneakers.
8. Moccasins
The moccasin shoes are naturally characterized by the comfort they provide and how many forms they come in, including slip-on and lace-up options. Generally, they have a soft sole that is made of suede or leather, a single material.
Moccasins are good options for casual and indoor attire and are a deep cultural part of the indigenous people of North America.
Mostly worn by non-office working women who want that feel of good fashion and softness altogether. But although some brands belong to the female gender, the brand appearance is like that of a dude.
There are a few distinct types of moccasins popular today, including hard-soled moccasins, soft-soled moccasins, and modern adoptions that have been rebranded to fit modern outfits for official and non-official occasions.
9. Espadrilles
Lastly, in this catalog of women’s shoes that look like dudes, there are the Espadrilles. These shoes are often casual and flat, with a smooth fabric that is branded like a canvas but has a jute rope sole.
Espadrilles are a type of casual footwear known for their summery characteristics.
The warm-weather footwear gives off this summer vibe, and the designers of this brand have tried to maintain this feeling by mixing fabrics or leather.
Espadrilles have wedges, which make them suitable for both casual and slightly dressier occasions. Moccasins come in a variety of colors to give you a collection of choices to match with any attire.
Final words
Keep in mind that gender classifications are less important than the precise design and features of any shoe. Variations of these styles can be found in women’s shoe collections, and no gender is prohibited from flaunting them. In the end, everything comes down to your preferences and personal style.
