Boots or dress shoes with vest and tie?

[Tobus]

My opinion is that comfortable dress shoes would be preferred, but certain types of boots are perfectly acceptable. Obviously, there's a difference between brogued ankle boots and knee-high steampunk boots. So, what type of boots are we talking about here?

Also, consider that St. Patrick's Day, and Irish stuff in general, doesn't tend to conform to any coherent interpretation of traditional Scottish kilt wearing. So, as I'm sure you know, it's a bit of a free-for-all with all the silliness that goes on with St. Patrick's Day.