Uniform Shoes
Rothco uniform oxford shoes give you a clean, plain-toe dress shoe for military service uniforms, security and corrections posts, band and drill teams, and any job with a dress code. We carry six styles in black and brown.
- Uniform Hi-Gloss Oxford Dress Shoe – a shiny finish straight out of the box, for anyone who would rather not spend the night before an inspection with a tin of polish.
- Military Uniform Oxford Leather Shoes – high-gloss leather, Goodyear welt construction and an oil- and slip-resistant outsole, in sizes 4 to 15 with regular and wide widths.
- Brown Uniform Oxford – a polishable leather upper, breathable Cambrelle lining, Goodyear welt and polyurethane outsole, made to coordinate with the Army Green Service Uniform.
- Uniform Oxford Work Sole and Military Uniform Oxford With Work Soles – the same dress look on a sole made for a full day on hard floors.
- Tactical Utility Oxford Shoe – a 4.75 inch utility style for duty wear where a full boot is too much.
Every pair keeps the lines simple: closed toe, closed heel and laces, with no decorative stitching or broguing.
A note for service members: DA PAM 670-1 lets Soldiers buy a commercial black oxford for the Army Service Uniform if it meets the written description, and the walnut brown oxford is a clothing bag issue item. Our guide below covers those rules and how to choose a pair that will pass inspection.
How to Choose Uniform Oxford Shoes
The right pair depends on how often you wear it and how much time you'll spend standing.
Hi-Gloss vs. Polishable Leather
Hi-gloss oxfords have a factory shine that wipes clean with a damp cloth, which is why they're popular with cadets, color guards and anyone who wears a dress uniform a few times a year. Polishable leather takes more care, but you can build a deeper shine and touch up scuffs instead of living with them. If you wear uniform shoes every day, leather usually lasts longer and breathes better.
Dress Soles vs. Work Soles
A traditional dress sole looks sleek but can be slick on tile. Our work-sole uniform oxford shoes are built for a full day on hard floors, a better fit for officers, guards, ushers and restaurant staff who stand or walk all shift. The Goodyear welt on our leather and brown oxfords also means the sole is stitched rather than only glued, which adds durability and water resistance.
Black or Brown
Black is the standard for most dress uniforms and for police and security work, and it's the safe choice if you only want one pair. Brown is for the Army Green Service Uniform and for business-casual dress codes.
Sizing Uniform Oxford Shoes
- Wear the dress socks you'll actually use with the uniform; they are much thinner than boot socks.
- Your heel shouldn't slip when you walk, and the widest part of your foot should sit at the widest part of the shoe. Choose wide if the sides pinch.
- Leather oxfords give a little with wear, but a stiff glossy finish won't stretch much, so size for comfort on day one rather than counting on a break-in.
Uniform Oxford Shoes and Army Regulations (DA PAM 670-1)
Black Oxfords for the ASU
Paragraph 20-27b describes the male black oxford as an optional purchase. It must come from an approved specification or pattern, or a similar commercial design, made of leather, poromeric or patent leather, in a dress tie-oxford style with at least three eyelets, a closed toe and heel, a heel no higher than 2 inches and no design in the material. It is worn with the ASU, the ASU dress variation, mess and evening mess uniforms, and the garrison culinary uniform. The female black oxford rules in paragraph 20-27e use the same description.
Walnut Brown Oxfords
Paragraph 20-27a lists the walnut brown 567 oxford as a clothing bag issue item: leather, dress tie-oxford style, at least three eyelets, closed toe and heel, a heel no higher than 2 inches and a plain finish. If you're buying the Rothco Brown Uniform Oxford as a second pair, set it next to your issued shoes to compare the shade before wearing it in formation.
What to Check
Rothco doesn't label these shoes as compliant, so check the eyelets, heel height and plain toe against the regulation yourself. The Tactical Utility Oxford is a utility shoe, not a dress oxford. The Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy have their own dress shoe rules, and unit policies can be stricter, so confirm with your chain of command.