Does anyone always wear ghillie brogues when kilted?

[okiwen]

Back to the original question...

I wear the long laced ghillies but would wear whatever was more comfortable. I bought mine 2nd hand because of cost.

I really would like to have a kit that goes with browns.

[KenB]

I wear ghillie brogues on more formal occasions. I find if I'm standing for any length of time my feet get quite tired. My ghillies don't have a lot of arch support.

In general, I prefer Rockport DresSports 2.0 Marathon Abraim Dress Oxford. Very comfy, built on a running shoe last and looks quite classy. And did I mention they are "comfy".

[Jack Daw]

Being a piper, ghillies are...expected of solo pipers as well.

But, they are not REQUIRED for piping competitions (unlike the bonnet).

[OC Richard]

R.G. Lawrie, a Glasgow firm, may well not have gillie brogues but this illustration from a Stewart Christie of Edinburgh catalogue of the same period illustrates just such a shoe worn in a formal setting, albeit the laces of the gentleman on the left do not extend up his calves.



So perhaps you should avail yourself of a few more catalogues before propounding such sweeping assertions. If, as you say, you are indeed an historian then you really should examine the basis upon which you reach such conclusions. All you have been able to demonstrate is what people may have worn and to assert that this proves what they did not wear in such unequivocal terms betrays a woeful lack of academic rigour.

I love seeing those old catalogues! Yes indeed I want to see everything I can.
At any given point, my ideas are formed by the evidence I have. The more the better.
Now a cynic could say "yes that man has (laceless) ghillies, but he's also wearing castellated hose and has his sgian dubh outside his hose, which hardly indicates common practice."
But it is what it is, more evidence of the wide variety of things worn in the old days.
It's not like I don't have vintage images of men wearing ghillies- I have quite a few.



But I stand by my assertion that buckled brogues have been long associated with formal wear and tartan hose, and that ghillies have been long associated with informal wear. The preponderance of the imagery supports this, though it's not a simple either/or case, and this attitude clearly was shifting by the 1970's.

[Phil]

But I stand by my assertion that buckled brogues have been long associated with formal wear and tartan hose, and that ghillies have been long associated with informal wear. The preponderance of the imagery supports this, though it's not a simple either/or case, and this attitude clearly was shifting by the 1970's.

My recollection of this is the same and, in fact, I had my late father-in-law's buckle brogues from the 1950's until quite recently. I am sure that they were the standard formal shoe, probably until the 1970's when gillie brogues took over. I think the "Mary Jane" epithet had a lot to do with the younger generation turning away from that style of shoe which may have had a lot to do with the demise of buckle brogues.

[Downunder Kilt]

I think a pair of standard brogues are much more versatile for the average punter going to games and semi formal/formal occasions. You would get much
more weartime rather than the limited time you would probably get from a pair
of ghillies (if you got plenty of money though you an get all 3 styles and be covered for every eventuality)

[Phil]

I think a pair of standard brogues are much more versatile for the average punter going to games and semi formal/formal occasions. You would get much
more weartime rather than the limited time you would probably get from a pair
of ghillies (if you got plenty of money though you an get all 3 styles and be covered for every eventuality)

I couldn't agree more. Standard brogues are a bit "clumpy" for more formal affairs though but perfect otherwise.

[Rollo]

Like my friend Robert, I don't wear ghillie brogues simply the aren't my style. I prefer buckle shoes, especially on formal occasion.

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

OK, the brogues were the LAST thing that I bought in my kilt wear. I had my kilt for over 25 years before I finally decided that I was going to buy brogues of any sort. And that was two years ago that I splurged.

Prior to owning brogues I wore regular shoes that just looked good.

First off, wear them if you want to be "authentic" or "proper". For me that means highland games, Burns nights, and so on. They give you a bit more "cred" if you are wearing them somewhere other than Scotland (although most people wouldn't know the difference if they aren't of the culture). Case in point would be something like the Scottish Walk in Alexandria--you are a bit more credible if you are in brogues.

But most people there won't notice you given what I have seen walking around at that event.

If you do make the plunge, there are brogues and there are formal brogues. If you are wearing a doublet and diced or tartan hose: get the fancy buckle jobs. Anything less (prince charlie coatee or dressed up barathea argyll), brogues will do ya. I wore regular court shoes when I did that pre-brogues.

The bottom line, it's your personal taste or comfort level.

Personally, I like having the brogues for when I'm getting dressed.

So, the ultimate answer is "NO". I do not always wear Ghillie brogues, only if I want to for whatever reason.

[wildrover]

Well, I asked this in another thread, maybe...but don't remember which one. There are some photos of solo pipers wearing brown ghillie brogues...where would a guy find a pair, or would it be easier to just have a brown shoe modified?

Sorry if I already asked in this thread and I'm just not looking back far enough!