Ghillie brogues, yes or no?

[DWFII]

You describe yourself as a shoemaker of some 35 years and I must obviously defer to your age and experience in your craft.

But you aren't really, are you? Deferring, I mean. I never said they can't be comfortable. Besides the fact that "comfortable" is a relative term...and I did stress that a shoemaker has to fit the head before he can fit the foot...what I did say was that the buckle almost has as to lie over an area of flex. And as someone who has studied the dynamics of the foot for lo these many years, I don't see how they can be comfortable.

That said, it is a long established principle that when a person wears a good quality shoe, the bottom of the foot will create a "footbed" in the leather insole. These are as individual as snowflakes or fingerprints. Yet, I have had many people tell me, in high dudgeon, that the thirty year old vintage (and well worn), shoes they bought off of Ebay that were also two sizes too big, fit them like a glove. OK. Go for it. I'd be out on a limb to second guess anyone's headspace.

What I must not defer to, however, is your blinkered and unsupported assumption that the buckle brogues I described cannot be comfortable.

This is a characterization that borders on an unwarranted attack...as someone who has made his entire living in a 19th century Trade (and one that gets paid like it was still the 19th century)...a Trade that requires close observation and the ability to see as well as correct problems with the foot and with feet...and as as one who is pretty well regarded in the Trade, my opinions are anything but "blinkered" or "unsupported." You may have another opinion and you're entitled to them but on balance the physiology if nothing else lends credence to my observations.

And...in case it was missed, by anyone...I did say (several times) that I had never tried a pair on. All I have to go on is what I know about feet and foot structure.

However, at the same time you glibly sidestep any explanation of your previous assertion that buckle brogues are only for little girls (you call them Mary Janes) which was the point of what I said. If you genuinely do have such opinions then at least have the courage to say so.

Again, I think you're getting ahead of yourself, if you'll pardon me for saying so. The first time I ever heard the term "Mary Janes" used to describe this type of shoe was on this forum...several different times and any number of different posters. I never heard the word "tank" used to describe a kilt before I got here, either...that doesn't make me a war-monger. Fact is, shoes are shoes to me. Naturally, they do have connotations with regard to history and usage. But I can't recall saying they were for little girls...I think you've confused me with someone else.