Finally a pair Ghillie Brogues

[Panache]

It's my friend Jon's fault.

He has a small store that sells tartan items (hats, scarves, blankets, and such but not kilts sadly). Anyway I have been a model on his store's website for a couple of pictures for a few kilt related items in his clearance section.

Now previously I had decided that my pair of black dress shoes were perfectly fine for my Kilted formal outfit. Hamish and Glen didn't bother with them and if regular dress shoes were good enough for those two well dressed gentlemen they were good enough for me. So I had decided to never bother with ghillie brogues.

It happened that Jon had a few pairs of ghille brogues in his clearance section that didn't sell so he reduced the price.

I was a little tempted (hey I like bargins) but my dress shoes were in fine shape and ghillie brogues still seemed a bit theatrical.

Then he reduced the price again.

For $47.50 I just couldn't resist so I ordered them

They arrived today and here is what they look like



They are the "Appin" model from Gaelic Themes. The ends of the laces have this little tassel (almost like a sporran tassels) on them



For those that own these kind of shoes do I have the laces right?



There is this very small metal plate on the outside of each heel, I assume to give longer life to the heel



My Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess isn't quite sold on them yet but thinks that they would work with a formal outfit. They have a leather sole so they might take a bit for them to break in.

All in all I like them and they do give a bit of flair to a kilted outfit. I think I will reserve them for semi-formal events though.

Cheers

Jamie

[Standard]

Looks good Panache. I thought that the custom is to tie a simple half overhand knot before you run the lace around your ankle for the first pass. However I've no firsthand knowledge and will leave this up to those more in the know than I. They should make a nice addition to your formal wear.

[Tommy Hunt]

I like the look of them. Classic! My only gripe is comfort. I've gotten so spoiled with my Merrell jogging shoes.

[Moosedog]

Panache,

I usually see them tied/tie them this way: (some folks even add an overhand knot first) Pull the laces snug, then twist them around on each other 3-5 times. Then wrap them around back, twisting them together 2-3 times behind your leg. Bring to the front and tie. That way everything stays tidy. Those look like a nice pair, and a great deal!

Moosedog

[pdcorlis]

Well now Jamie - that's a fine looking pair of Ghillie Brogues and you've done a fine job with the laces. If it were me, I'm afraid they would end up looking like a dog's dinner!

[Bugbear]

Congratulations, Panache! They will add that little, extra... panache to your ensembles.

[kevinkinney]

Nice purchase.

Remember, if the lovely lady isn't sold on them, they do look to be about a wide width 43.....


Kevin.

[Panache]

Nice purchase.

Remember, if the lovely lady isn't sold on them, they do look to be about a wide width 43.....


Kevin.

Kevin,

I think that there was another pair in a size 42 (and check out the handsome model wearing the Mr. Anthony Cape! )

http://www.twrfcreative.com/HW/closeouts/last.html

Cheers

Jamie

[forestpiper]

Wow, and to think I paid the $99 for mine and they look identical. Oh well . .

Nice photo. I tie mine a bit differently, but only learned one way, where the tassels end up on the outside of each leg. This weekend at the highland games we may need to tie them real tight as it looks like we are getting rain, mixed with all that red clay - should be fun!!!

http://www.highlandsandislands.org/

forestpiper

[Highlander31]

Nice looking ghillies Jamie.

I tie mine similar to Moosedog. I pull the laces tight and wrap them three times and take them behind the leg at approximately a 45 degree angle, do another three wraps on the back below the calf. Then bring them around the leg circling it one and a half times ending up in the front of the shin. My preference is to tie them off in the front of the leg. I let the tassels hang at slightly different heights.

The rubber sheets on the soles work very well. There was a shoe repair in Oakridge Mall that was run by two brothers. One brother moved back East and the remaining brother moved the shop to Valley Fair. The brothers introduced me to the rubber sheets. It costs less to put on new sheets than it does to resole the shoes. The sheets lasted me 500 miles between replacements. I know this because when I first tried the sheets, I was on an assignment where I covered 10 miles a day (all team members were required to wear a pedometer.)

Congratulations on a great deal.