kilt loafers

**Calgacus** · 19th March 14, 05:57 AM

Jock's pair work really quite nicely to my eye, but the one with the 'kiltie' that Nathan posted a picture of... Not so much.

**Tobus** · 19th March 14, 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by Calgacus

Jock's pair work really quite nicely to my eye, but the one with the 'kiltie' that Nathan posted a picture of... Not so much.

I'm not a loafer guy (I was raised to detest any shoe with tassels, and seem unable to get past that bias), but those do look OK with the kilt, Jock. Are these the ones you wear for black tie and such? I always thought a shoe with a top bead seam like that wasn't considered a dress shoe?

Anyway, those are not the kind of "kilt loafers" we're talking about. I'm certain that my previous comments on the "kilt" descriptor refer to the fringed leather piece shown in the OP, which is the typical industry term for that. For example, I often wear lace-up "roper" style boots which have the same feature, and use the same term. Here's one example of a completely non-Scottish-kilt context for the term. Obviously, this description is slightly different than what we see in a loafer-style shoe, but it still describes the same general part of the shoe.

http://www.vintageamericanboots.com/...oper-boot.html

Another aspect of the lace up roper is the "false tongue" or kiltie. This is the removable fringe flap that laces on top of the actual tongue of the boot. Kiltie were originally used to provide padding between the bootlaces and instep of the foot in logger boots. This was necessary in boots which used thin leather for the tongue and also protected the tongue from wear by the laces. They also provide a barrier for the boots from dirt and dust, keeping the insides clean.

**Jock Scot** · 19th March 14, 06:17 AM

Tobus.

Top bead seams are actually not unusual with Scottish foot wear, including dress shoes. Without going into to detail, it does rather depend on personal flair, what the customer wants and who makes the shoes.

Sorry Tobus, I did not answer your question.

Yes I do wear those, quite often, for black tie events, it depends on how I feel, the event, whether my other shoes are er, well, um, not clean, direction of the wind, position of the moon, Mrs Jock, whether there is an R in the month, all sorts of things. Joking apart, it does depend on how I feel at the time more than anything else, I think.

**OC Richard** · 19th March 14, 06:18 AM

Here's a thread on just this topic

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...r-pumps-57108/

Thing is, 'loafers' (slip-on shoes) with decorative (nonfunctional) buckles were common in Highland Dress throughout the 19th century. It was these, not Mary Janes, which were worn with full diced or tartan hose by army officers and pipers in certain forms of dress. For some reason around 1900 the 'loafers' went out and Mary Janes came in.

I made up a couple pair of these to wear, because I prefer this style

Similar can be seen in a large number of 19th century photos and also in The Highlanders Of Scotland

**Nathan** · 19th March 14, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Here's a thread on just this topic

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...r-pumps-57108/

Thing is, 'loafers' (slip-on shoes) with decorative (nonfunctional) buckles were common in Highland Dress throughout the 19th century. It was these, not Mary Janes, which were worn with full diced or tartan hose by army officers and pipers in certain forms of dress. For some reason around 1900 the 'loafers' went out and Mary Janes came in.

I made up a couple pair of these to wear, because I prefer this style

Similar can be seen in a large number of 19th century photos and also in The Highlanders Of Scotland

I'm aware of the simple slip on loafers with buckles and made a pair myself. I'm asking specifically about the shoes with the Kiltie and tassels. Do you have old photos of these being worn with the kilt?

**Calgacus** · 19th March 14, 08:29 AM

I think the closest you'll get to a photo of that type of shoe worn with the kilt will be a photo of a golfer in tartan trews, but I'll be watching to see if anyone can find a photo of such a combo.

**Nathan** · 19th March 14, 09:42 AM

I don't mind the way they look at all but then, I have a lot of shoes. Here's a couple of pics of how they look.

IMG_20140319_123613.jpg

IMG_20140319_123638.jpg

**Jock Scot** · 19th March 14, 09:51 AM

They look absolutely fine to my eyes, Nathan.

**Father Bill** · 19th March 14, 11:15 AM

Richard, in the other thread which you referenced, you said you had purchased the buckles separately but didn't reveal your source. Any hints for those of us so inclined?

Bill+

**creagdhubh** · 19th March 14, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

Richard, in the other thread which you referenced, you said you had purchased the buckles separately but didn't reveal your source. Any hints for those of us so inclined?

Bill+

If I am correct, I believe Richard finds his buckles on eBay. Other sources include House of Labhran, Roddy Young of Inverness, and Ian Grant of Edinburgh. I highly recommend the silver, or silver plated shoe buckles from Timothy and Geraldine at House of Labhran; they're made to order.

http://www.houseoflabhran.com/highla...ng-silver.html