A shoe of any other name - still a brouge?

[davidlpope]

Hello, all.

My definition of a brogue would be a shoe decorated by punching small holes in the leather, either through the shoe or only through a second, decorative layer of leather. I have learnt that brogueing is the art of making these patterns.

You're right in this. A brogue is a shoe decorated by these punchings. Full brogues are often called "wingtips" in the States.

"full brogue" or "wingtip"- balmoral/oxford construction

"long-wing" brogue or wingtip-blucher construction

here, and other places on the net, I see the word "brogue" describing pretty much any kind of fancy dress shoe, often with a shiny buckle. Someone was talking about "glennfinnan brouges", and to my knowledge, glennfinnan slippers are never brougued.

So I ask you: Who's confused?

"ghillie brogues"

"bar-buckle brogues"


You're right, confusion is rampant. "Ghillie brogues" do retain the punchings. Likewise, "bar-buckle" formal brogues. The confusion, I think, is generated by using the term "brogue" to mean "any shoe worn with a kilt." The Glennfinnan shoes are properly just that- shoes, not brogues. To add even more confusion, the term "brogan", having the same roots, historically refers to heavy-soled, ankle high shoes or boots.

Cordially,

David