Oxford (lace-up) booties and pumps are all the rage this season, perhaps reminding us that this fall women are all about business. Kick up your sexy librarian quota with one of these styles, which are in abundant supply just about everywhere:

, $332 at Nordstrom.

, $579 at Zappos.

, $450 at Zappos.

, 508 Euros at Luisaviaroma.

, $575 at Nordstrom.

, $285 at Nordstrom.

, $695 at Saks.

I must admit that, by comparison, the low-heeled versions look positively dowdy:

For example, the above (rosso dip dye silk), $469 at Zappos, is, well, quite repugnant for me. Not quite menswear and not quite a feminine style either, these shoes are forever stuck in…no mans land (no shoes land?). I cant imagine any outfit that these shoes would flatter.

I guess I would need a compromise between the flat and the impossibly high heelsomething like this, perhaps, with a 2-inch heel and somber croc-embossed leather:

This is 242 Euros at Luisaviaroma and is a barely acceptable compromise between a mans and a womans shoe. Since I cant wear the stylish high heels above, I guess Ill keep looking!