Whenever I get new shoes, I start looking for excuses to wear them.

…every day.

Hey, I don’t smoke anymore. I need something to obsess about.

These are my current obsession: Steve Madden “Spiffyy” oxfords in olive. Lindsay bought them for my birthday – they’re still on sale for $29.99! – and even though they were a half-size too small because Steve Madden thinks a 37 is a 7 when it’s really a 6.5 (I’m not irritated, really, I’m not…) I decided that the best way to stretch them was to wear them. All the time.

What I love best about these delectable faux-leather wingtip oxfords is the laces.

SO STRIPEY.

Because I’m obsessed, I now think it’s a great idea to find interesting laces for every single pair of oxford shoes I own.

When I began the Interesting Laces Hunt, the first search term I used was Poetic Licence. Their designs never fail to walk the line between classy and crazy, balancing neatly on really, really interesting. The Backlash, at $98, comes in black and grey (above) as well as a bright yellow.

I’ve had my eye on these 80%20 Marlees for a long, long time, but I hadn’t noticed that they have leather laces until now. Of course, they’re on sale for $39.99 (normally $59.99) and I’m extra enamored (leather! laces!) aaaaand they’re no longer available in my size.

Great.

Wanted comes out swinging with another oxford: this one’s called the Jigsaw, runs for $60, and also comes in natural or white. Satin laces add a sweetness to an otherwise masculine shape, don’t you think?

Maybe you don’t. If so, see the Cambria, which also uses satin laces, but is overall a little sweeter-looking.

It comes in the above pale pink, as well as black, silver, tan, and black/white, and retails for $59.99 because Wanted is boss.

I…don’t know what to do with these. The laces. They contrast…but by design, not by color. (It’s hard to see in this image, but the laces cut over the TOP of the foot, then tie in little bows at the back.) These laces are useless laces. They serve no purpose. But…but…

I don’t even care that they’re not oxfords and thusly don’t belong in this post. I kind of love them. (They’re Elizabeth and James, 65% off, and only also available in pink.)

—

Of course, there’s always the option to DIY your laces, which is just a little bit cheaper than buying twelve new pairs to support your shoe-obsessing habit…

Dear Designers:

Please make more interestingly-laced shoes to support my shoe-obsessing habit.

Also, send some extra laces.

Thanks.

Love, Jen.