Ghillie Brogues: just for formal wear

[andycwb]

With a formal outfit, I think the ghillie brogues complete the look, but with a less formal day wear style, I'm not so sure they're needed, and perhaps 'conventional' dress shoes would be more appropriate...

What's the consensus of the rabble (if there is such a thing)? Or at least a selection of viewpoints....

Andy

[Richrail]

I agree with you, but my wife loves the ghillie brogues so I do wear them pretty much anytime I'm wearing a jacket and tie.

[Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM]

I have a pair of Oxford's which are my "go to" shoes when I'm wearing a kilt. However, I do wear my ghillie brogues whenever I feel the need (or desire) to dress up. So, I guess I'm saying I agree with you: ghillie brogues for formal (ish) wear, standard dress shoes otherwise.

Rob.

[StevieR]

Not for me anytime. I did a lot of research (loads of advice on XMTS of course) before I decided what I liked best. I bought a pair of black military brogues - http://www.sanders-uk.com/shop/product/braemar-5597b - for all daywear. When I get around to wearing my kilt for a black tie event, it will be a pair of plain black oxfords, or these - http://www.sanders-uk.com/shop/product/blackwall-5215b - all nice and shiny, of course.

[Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM]

... nice and shiny, of course.

A big "Plus One" on the nice and shiny -- whether it be my oxfords or my brogues.

Rob

[ronin6290]

I think it's really a matter of personal taste. I happen to really like mine.

[James Hood]

Were not ghillie brogues originally huntsmans' shoes, securely laced so they would not be pulled off one's feet when trudging through viscous muck?

After all, the modern version of someone who dons a ghillie suit "for work"...

...is a military sniper.

[TJ Kelley]

Stevie dig these.
I am a bit of a shoe whore and these are on my list.
BRAEMAR-5597B-A.jpg
Andy, nothing can replace the tradition of ghillie brogues, one day I will own a pair.
But there are several stylish options available. My Stacy Adams dress up quite nice.

shoes.jpg

[OC Richard]

With a formal outfit, I think the ghillie brogues complete the look, but with a less formal day wear style, I'm not so sure they're needed, and perhaps 'conventional' dress shoes would be more appropriate...

Ghillies fall somewhat outside the "formal" and "outdoor" dichotomy. The Army, for one, has never worn them, using buckled shoes for formal dress and ordinary brogues for informal dress, and many civilians have long done the same.

The Highlanders of Scotland is a unique large snapshot of Highland Dress in the 1860s and the footwear seen is particularly interesting. There are 56 kilted men and their shoes are as follows:

25 "Mary Jane" style (which exhibit a fascinating variety in number and position of buckles and lacing)
11 "ghillie" style
10 ordinary shoes
5 "buckle loafers" (my ad hoc name for the slip-on shoes with decorative nonfunctional buckles)
3 ankle boots
1 spats
1 unique shoe halfway between Mary Janes and Ghillies

Of the Ghillies, most are roughout tan leather or brown leather. Only one pair is black, and this pair has decorative nonfunctional buckles attached.

So, in the 1860s Ghillies were still close to their rustic roots.

By the 1930s Ghillies can be seen in Highland Dress catalogues offered as formal shoes with buckles. Day Dress/Outdoor Dress is invariably depicted with plain shoes.

Pipers are often seen wearing Ghillies in the 19th century and nowadays they are de rigueur for pipers. At the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow each year around 230 bands from all over the world come to compete, and it would be difficult indeed to find one not wearing Ghillies (the only such being nonkilted bands from Spain, France, and the Middle East, because even Army pipe bands usually wear civilian ghillies when competing).

The 1930s notwithstanding, Ghillies never look "formal" to me, even when dressed up with buckles. To me they remain what they started out as, somewhat rustic Highland footwear.

Some photos:

the original, still worn on the Aran Islands, called pamputai/pampooties



1860s. You can see a variety of shoes, tan roughout ghillies on the right, plus Mary Janes and ordinary shoes



Ghillies raised to formal shoes in the 1930s



Here, in the 1920s, it's ordinary shoes for Outdoor Dress, buckled shoes for Evening Dress




At a Highland Games in the 1960s. No ghillies!! No Glengarries!!



The modern pipe band look: ghillies and Glens for all

[artificer]

I personally wouldn't wear them for anything- but I know a lot of people who do. I wouldn't wear the "Brigadoon" Jacobite shirt either, but I know a lot of folks who love them.
I'm definitely NOT one of nature's peacocks- So take my advice below with the above in mind.

For casual days I tend to wear a pair of low cut ankle boots in greasy brown leather, if I'm out at the pub or a concert (two situations which occur with decreasing frequency) I might wear my black 8-eye docs.

With a little more cleaned up look (St. Andrew's Soc. meetings) I'll wear a pair of brogues (wingtips in the US).

For a dressy evening out or more formal event I wear a pair of highly polished Oxfords with nice thin leather soles.

I don't have any White Tie occasions, but if I did I'd probably break down and try to find a buckled shoe that wouldn't look ridiculous on my gigantic duck feet.



If YOU like Ghillies, go ahead and wear them, loads of people do, but I think most of them are too clunky. A formal shoe really isn't a 'formal' shoe unless it's made with a thin, dress sole.
If you find a pair of ghillies made this way they're probably going to be really expensive.

ith: