Ghillie brogues, yes or no?

[Tommy Hunt]

I have never made a secret of the fact that I loathe Ghillie Brogues! To me they are just about acceptable as pipe band footwear, but nothing else. Ghillie Brogues very often detract from the beauty of the kilt itself by their very fussiness, and one sees some terrible disasters in assorted attempts at tying them. If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing correctly - but, in this case, I often wonder if there can be a correct method (from the appearance point of view!).

Ordinary, everyday brogue shoes serve me perfectly for semi and fully formal occasions, as long as they are clean and well polished and, if I am really dressed up, my Glenfinnan buckle shoes are just the answer.

I am afraid I see Ghillie Brogues, or rather their extravagant lacing, as another opportunity for the wearer to over dress. The shoes themselves are fine - just take away those ghastly laces, replace them with ordinary length ones and enjoy the uncluttered look that results.

Take care,
Ham.

Those cool laces are the very reason I'd buy a pair of Ghillie Brogues. I think the laces make the shoes look very stylish. Now the reason I wouldn't buy a pair is if the shoes were uncomfortable.

[Carolina Kiltman]

Those cool laces are the very reason I'd buy a pair of Ghillie Brogues. I think the laces make the shoes look very stylish. Now the reason I wouldn't buy a pair is if the shoes were uncomfortable.

I voted yes, I do like Gillie Brogues. I think they are fine in the range of day-dress (suite & tie). Possibly slightly less formal, and up to black-tie. Beyond that, the buckle Glenfinnian (sp?) are the thing but currently well out of my price range. Less than suit and tie, any shoe appropriate to the occasion.

For Highland Country Dance, I found (with great difficulty) a pair of "gillies" to fit my over-sized feet. (Actually it is my height that is oversize, my feet fit my height . . . .

But I have not found a pair that feel comfortable , and with my "Donald Duck" Celtic feet, I will not buy a pair unless they feel comfortable the first time I try them on! I'll add the memory foam insoles later if necessary, but the toe box cannot pinch my toes if I am to buy them.