brown brogues with black sporran

[Sean Wilson]

I have a pair of black ghillie brogues that I wear with my Gunn modern kilt and grey horse hair sporran. I recently purchased a grey tweed jacket and waist coat to wear instead of my PC jacket for day wear and a pair of ancient green hose. I already own a black leather day sporran but found wearing my ghillies liked too formal with tweed.

I have a nice pair of tan/light brown brogues that would look great with my kilt and new tweed jacket but no brown belt or sporran. I've seen pictures of guys in black shoes with brown belt/sporran but not the other way around. Is this a no-no or just an unusual combination?

[cck]

I would not call it a "no-no" and many would find this very acceptable. My preference would be to have my leathers match, but if I could not do it --

[tulloch]

If you think it looks good and are happy with it then it is fine.

[Tarheel]

There will be folks that will give you "the eye" about brown shoes and black sporran. My thoughts are, if those shoes feel good on my feet and look good with the kilt, that would be my choice.
What looks do women get today when wearing white gloves for daily outings (as they did in the 1950's and before)? If you appear uncomfortable or wary about the look, others will pick up on that.

[Liam]

Sean.... The traditional Scots would say that any other than black foot wear is inappropriate. I was told this by my wife' Grandfather the first time I donned a kilt. He didn't give a reason why, but I believe it is a mixture of military regulation, formal wear tradition and possibly that many Scots only had one pair of shoes, and they were black so it to became a tradition. Others here can certainly comment with more authority than I. I consider it one of those "rules" that is much in keeping with with the "regimental" wear, although you are fully on display with brown shoes. Now I personally choose to wear matching leathers, brown, black or tan, although I would consider mixing tan and brown if I had to. I understand the black shoes, brown sporran and belt tradition for day wear, but have never done it. I guess I would find the brown shoes with black sporran and belt ok but a touch different looking. As day wear is by definition more casual, why not wear a pair of black oxfords or loafers? - brogues are by no means necessary. I wore black loafers and they passed muster with Grandpa Jock in 1978, and come to think of it they were paired with a brown sporran (no belt), so I have mixed my leathers.

The shorter answer is if you like it, just do it, and it is very doubtful any one will notice unless you post a picture here on XMarks!
Cheers....

[MacEanruig]

Generally, I wear matching leathers, or as close to matching as possible. I do this with both highland as well as regular dress. Nonetheless, I think you can wear what you describe without any problem. Perhaps, later you can find a nice brown sporran to match.

I also have a nice pair of brown brogues, and I am searching for a complimentary sporran.

[ddaydodger]

I'm in the army, black shoes or brogues and a brown leather sporran is the dress for my regiment. It looks fine and no one has ever commented that they don't match.

[MacRobert's Reply]

420d5447c986bdd147a2ae3fdc6b9b87.jpg

Lots of mixing and little matching by clan chiefs.

[Sean Wilson]

420d5447c986bdd147a2ae3fdc6b9b87.jpg

Lots of mixing and little matching by clan chiefs.

yup, the Chief on the right is definitely wearing brown shoes with black sporran... doesn't look too bad either...

[OC Richard]

Seems to me that it's one of the differences between Highland and "Saxon" dress: in Saxon dress mixing leather colours is a no-no, in Highland dress it doesn't matter.

About "military regulations" I've seen photos of Highland officers wearing brown shoes. The regimental leather sporrans are a very dark brown and are worn with black and brown shoes alike.

Here's an illustration of the dress of Major General Tom Rennie, 51st Highland Division WWII