Ghillies w/ Ghillie Flaps?

**James MacMillan** · 18th February 08, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by Chef

They still sell them for pipers:

Yea - That would work! You could easily dress up an otherwise scruffy pair of shoes for formal wear.............

**BoldHighlander** · 18th February 08, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by James MacMillan

I have an old pair of golf shoes with flaps like that - and I seem to remember one of the golf catalogs selling skirts or flaps or what-ever they are called to put on regular shoes.

Interesting to know. Thanks.

**BoldHighlander** · 18th February 08, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Chef

My Grandmother talked about brogues with tongues. She always thought they looked smart with a kilt. My Great Aunt once mentioned that some men would even affix a silver buckle to the flap. I've never seen, nor has anyone confirmed it but my Great Aunt would be 120 if she was still alive, so she goes back a bit. I wouldn't dismiss the possibility that it was done in the Highlands 100 years ago, but I doubt it was wide spread.

edit*(I do know that some pipers wear them but I have never seen anyone else do it, although i think it looks quite smart)

Great info Chef, and thanks for the photo of the buckled version too!

By the by, I agree with your Grandmother. I think they look smart with a kilt too

**thescot** · 18th February 08, 03:15 PM

I often weat a pair of wing tip loafers like this, only black:

Almost as good as a pair of ghillies, and you can get them in narrow widths!

**pipesndrumsnun** · 18th February 08, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by Chef

Wingtips are brogues but not all brogues are wingtips. Brogues refer to shoes decorated with punched holes and serrated leather. Wingtips are brogues where the decoration on the toe resembles the shape of wings.

That said the term wingtips is frequently used to describe all brogues, particularly in the US.

Hope that helps.

YES! That does help...THANKS, Chef!

**pipesndrumsnun** · 18th February 08, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by thescot

I often weat a pair of wing tip loafers like this, only black:

Almost as good as a pair of ghillies, and you can get them in narrow widths!

VERY nice looking choice!!

AND, I bet they are comfortable, too!

**Retro Red** · 18th February 08, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Chef

They still sell them for pipers:

I saw these once on a website & thought it was very interesting, but without seeing them in use, I was wondering - are these buckled flaps used on ghillie brogues? If so, how are they attached? And of greatest interest to me, if you had these flaps on the ghillies, could you wear your ghillies without those lo-o-o-ng ghillie laces?
.

**Chef** · 18th February 08, 07:12 PM

My understanding is they are meant to be used on regular brogues like the brown ones pictured above.

**thescot** · 18th February 08, 08:36 PM

They make attachable buckles for black shoes as well. I haven't seen any lately, but I've seen them lots of places before. Some have a black elastic band with the buckles, and you just slide them over the shoe. Others kind of lace in like the kiltie flap above.

BTW, where can you find one of those kiltie flaps. You could really make a plain pair of black shoes look quite dressy.

**Nanook** · 19th February 08, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by thescot

I often weat a pair of wing tip loafers like this, only black:

Almost as good as a pair of ghillies, and you can get them in narrow widths!

That's shoe (a variation of the "classic" late 1940s Alden tassel loafer) is among a style often called a "kiltie shoes" and has indeed (http://http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE3DE1039F930A35752C1A9659582 60) a direct heritage to ghillie brogues (Lukas' obvious source of the tassels).
I wore many of these as a child too lazy to tie laces.

Alden continue to make some very nice models (in all widths and lengths) in shell cordovan.