Let's talk about ghillie brogues again: the Highland perspective

[Tobus]

That's how I prefer to wear mine. I've also seen a picture of LitTrog with short laces on his ghillie brogues and I read on an old thread (2008) that Thistledown said:
"Ghillie brogues (wherever and however they originated) are worn in two fashions: with short laces tied as one would normally tie a pair of shoes, or with a triple-twist at the ankle and taken once around the leg to tie, at the front, part way up the calf. The pressure is taken at the ankle, does not cut off circulation and makes them quite comfortable. The ties are never wrapped repeatedly around the ankle and tied."

Delayed response, I know. But this is the route I've decided to take with these shoes for now. I just wear them with normal length shoelaces. I find them to be quite comfortable, since they don't put pressure on the top of my foot, thus not aggravating my old horse-related injury.

I think they cleaned up and took the polish quite well, and have a nice worn-in (yet still serviceable) look to them. I like that they aren't too "chunky" like most modern ghillie brogues. They have a nice thin, narrow profile that's reminiscent of many of the MacLeay portraits shown earlier in this thread. I like the proportionality of them (there's that proportion theme again!) in relation to the rest of my kit.

[creagdhubh]

Tobus,

I think your ghillies look very smart indeed. I also like the fact that they are not too entitrely chunky - the sole and heel are an ideal thickness in my opinion. The nornal length shoelaces are a fine choice too. Proportionally, they are absolutely spot on!

Cheers,

[Guinness>water]

Looks good, Tobus!

[MizzouScotsman]

Delayed response, I know. But this is the route I've decided to take with these shoes for now. I just wear them with normal length shoelaces. I find them to be quite comfortable, since they don't put pressure on the top of my foot, thus not aggravating my old horse-related injury.

I think they cleaned up and took the polish quite well, and have a nice worn-in (yet still serviceable) look to them. I like that they aren't too "chunky" like most modern ghillie brogues. They have a nice thin, narrow profile that's reminiscent of many of the MacLeay portraits shown earlier in this thread. I like the proportionality of them (there's that proportion theme again!) in relation to the rest of my kit.

Ok, I'm very late to the thread but where did you get the brogues? I know I'm wasting my time because my foot is of a wide width and I have heard that brogues do not come in my width (EEE).

[Tobus]

These were bought on eBay - and are well used. But they were made by Keltic - "The Scottish Shoe" and say "Made in Britain" on the bottom. I've searched around the web, but can't find any reference to this company still making shoes.

[Downunder Kilt]

Tobus, totally agree with your comment re your ghillie brogues, good find. I think the shortened lace style works well and the thinner sole is ideal. Good one.

[CMcG]

Looking good there Tobus! Those are some nice dress ghillie brogues

In terms of proportions, I think it is easier to look sharp with short laces. I haven't made any kind of detailed study of the tied up the leg variety, but they often seem to break the leg up in an uncomfortable way... then again, people are probably just doing it wrong Either way, short laces feel less reminiscent of uniforms to me.

Ok, I'm very late to the thread but where did you get the brogues? I know I'm wasting my time because my foot is of a wide width and I have heard that brogues do not come in my width (EEE).

I think someone posted earlier in this thread about a source for wide ghillie brogues...

[Tobus]

Looking good there Tobus! Those are some nice dress ghillie brogues

The emphasis on "dress" did not escape my attention. The thinner soles of these shoes really do give them a more dressy look than the chunky parade soles which are so often found on modern ghillie brogues, although they aren't thin enough to fall into the evening 'dance slipper' realm of thinness. I could see wearing these for dress occasions. But do you think they're unsuitable for daywear (say, a Highland Games or other outdoor festival type occasion) due to the thinner hard-leather soles? I must admit, walking around on rocks and gravel isn't a whole lot of fun in these. It's not so much because the soles are thin - I can't feel the rocks through them - but because they're so hard, with no 'give' like a rubber sole. I'm perfectly willing to deal with it, though, just because I like the looks of these shoes so much. But is it a faux pas to wear these for daywear, especially on the casual/outdoor side of daywear?

[creagdhubh]

The emphasis on "dress" did not escape my attention. The thinner soles of these shoes really do give them a more dressy look than the chunky parade soles which are so often found on modern ghillie brogues, although they aren't thin enough to fall into the evening 'dance slipper' realm of thinness. I could see wearing these for dress occasions. But do you think they're unsuitable for daywear (say, a Highland Games or other outdoor festival type occasion) due to the thinner hard-leather soles? I must admit, walking around on rocks and gravel isn't a whole lot of fun in these. It's not so much because the soles are thin - I can't feel the rocks through them - but because they're so hard, with no 'give' like a rubber sole. I'm perfectly willing to deal with it, though, just because I like the looks of these shoes so much. But is it a faux pas to wear these for daywear, especially on the casual/outdoor side of daywear?

I think they would be fine for daywear, but if you think they will feel uncomfortable for an all day event, say at a Highland games, then I would obviously opt for another shoe. I do like the look of your brogues though, as you eluded to, very "Kenneth MacLeay-esqe." Sharp!

[Jock Scot]

I agree Tobus that your "short lace" ghillies look quite smart, for around town etc., but give me a proper set of brogues( normal shoe style type lacing)every time if I was going out on the hill. The heather stalks,seeds, bits of grit etc falling though those gaps would make walking absolute hell within twenty minutes and would make a decent stroll across the moor an imposibility, still I suppose those short laces things would not catch in the heather, like long laces would.