kilt loafers

**Nathan** · 18th March 14, 03:56 PM

I see loafers frequently advertised as kilt brogue loafers. They're the ones with the flap, tassels and brogued toe.

What if anything is their association with the kilt?

For TCHD I mostly see lace up standard brogues, ghillie brogues and buckle brogues. I'm sure these could be worn casually with the kilt as could any loafer but the fact that they are advertised in the mainstream as kilt loafers makes me wonder if they were ever the most popular choice and, if so, for which level(s) of formality?

I mean these ones:

IMG_20140318_183232.jpg

**Macman** · 18th March 14, 04:42 PM

Nathan, I'm not aware of any association with the kilt. That said, I wear a pair of Bostonians almost exactly as you've pictured quite often with the kilt.

**Tobus** · 18th March 14, 04:58 PM

I don't have an answer, but have oft wondered the same thing. I couldn't find any historical or traditional association between the kilt and this style of shoe. I think the "kilt" descriptor just refers to the visual style of the fringe. It must have reminded someone of the pleats on a kilt, and the name stuck. That's my theory, anyway.

**Nathan** · 18th March 14, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I don't have an answer, but have oft wondered the same thing. I couldn't find any historical or traditional association between the kilt and this style of shoe. I think the "kilt" descriptor just refers to the visual style of the fringe. It must have reminded someone of the pleats on a kilt, and the name stuck. That's my theory, anyway.

That's certainly possible and it's not like marketers are super concerned with accuracy. That said, the tassels are the same on ghillie brogues and they sell buckles with the flap to convert regular brogues to buckle brogues. These features are also common on golf cleats and we know golf has Scottish origins so I wonder if there's more to it than that. hmmm.. Maybe when the Scots wake up tomorrow they can shed some light.

**Father Bill** · 18th March 14, 05:51 PM

So... where would one purchase buckles that would go onto such loafers? I think they would make it much closer to the traditional style.

**Nathan** · 18th March 14, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

So... where would one purchase buckles that would go onto such loafers? I think they would make it much closer to the traditional style.

I just mean that you can buy these, that make regular brogues look like this style.
http://www.burnetts-struth.com/produ...e-Buckles.html

**davidlpope** · 18th March 14, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I don't have an answer, but have oft wondered the same thing. I couldn't find any historical or traditional association between the kilt and this style of shoe. I think the "kilt" descriptor just refers to the visual style of the fringe. It must have reminded someone of the pleats on a kilt, and the name stuck. That's my theory, anyway.

Nailed it.