Wingtips

[Nick the DSM]

I've come to the decision that sooner or later, I'll be needing a nice pair of shoes (both kilting and formal) and I think wingtips would do the trick.

Since, I'm just a youngun who knows nothing about looking nice; what should I look for? and what are reasonable prices?

Also, I'd prefer black and I'm size 8.5, so if they don't make half sizes do I size up or down??

Any help would be appreciated.

[Bugbear]

I don't know much either. I chose to buy Bluchers, which are often mislabeled Oxfords, for an all perpose, black dress up shoe. Here's the thread from way back.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...es-kilt-42676/

Not wing tips, but hope that helps a little. They seem to be fairly good shoes.

For actual formal attire, tuxedo, you might go with real Oxfords that are very shiney.

[auld argonian]

I actually got a nice pair of Nunn Bush wingtip style shoes that were cheap, are uber-comfortable and waterproof...that last is a plus at dewy Highland Games.

Best

AA

[Tobus]

Wingtips = brogues. Check out this thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...brogues-58595/ There were some really good recommendations in there.

[piperdbh]

Don't forget about thrift shops. They usually have good deals on shoes. You might also check with formal wear rental places, especially after prom season. Sometimes they sell their scratched or scuffed rental shoes, which you could probably polish back into good order.

[xman]

How 'bout these?

[Nick the DSM]

Hahaha, nice vans!

I'll have to go to JC Pennys or some fancy place at the mall.

Any brands to look for??

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Nick, virtually all American shoe manufacturers offer their shoes in half sizes so finding an 8.5 shouldn't be too difficult. As far as cost is concerned, you can expect to pay anything from $99 up to $350-$500. Obviously the more you pay, the better the quality of the shoe. That said, for most gentlemen a $99 shoe will be every bit as comfortable and good looking as the $350 shoe, so don't think you have to over-spend to look sharp or feel comfortable.

I'd suggest you shop around for your shoes-- good deals can usually be found at outlet stores. If you are hiking through the local mall, you might want to divide your shoe safari into two parts:

PART 1: Shopping-- find out who's got what, and check out their prices. Also, ask the store manager when they are having their next shoe sale-- quite often they will give you the sale price even if it is between sales. After you've scoped out the shoes, take a day or two off before you go back to buy.

PART 2: Buying-- When you go shoe buying, try to go first thing in the morning before your feet have had a chance to swell from doing a lot of walking. I'd also suggest that you try on the shoes wearing kilt hose, or at least socks that are about as heavy as kilt hose, to make sure that the fit is 100% a-okay. And remember, obvious as it sounds, you will have to break in your new shoes. Probably the best way to do this is summed up in one word: gradually. Wear your new shoes for about an hour every day for a week before you go charging out in them. This will increase your comfort factor by about 110% the first time you wear them "out and about".

Finally, buy yourself a pair of shoe trees when you buy your shoes, and get into the habit of putting the trees in the shoes every time you take them off. This will really extend the life of your shoes-- I know, because I always use shoe trees and some of my shoes are now over thirty years old. And remember to polish your shoes until they shine like they are carved out of obsidian.

[Lachlan09]

Wingtips ? Well, if you want to wear wingtips with your kilt, you should adapt your Highland dress to include the following inspiration:-

Two types of 2-tone wingtips:-





Get yourself a zoot-suit jacket. A young Malcolm X described the zoot suit as: "a killer-diller coat with a drape shape, reet pleats and shoulders padded like a lunatic's cell".


And to top it off, a tando ( you can also add a cock-pheasant’s tail feather to give it that Scottish flavour).




There you go Daddy-o, a Celtic Pachuco !

[Bugbear]

That is a very disturbing image. Please make it leave me alone.