Brogues/Ghillies

[piperdbh]

I am wondering if all ghillie brogues are styled the same way? By that I mean all of the shoes I have seen have a very traditional rounded toe, quite wide footprint etc. I am looking for something a bit more contemporary and styled similar to my everyday office footwear - squarer in the toe and a more streamlined footprint. Does such a thing exist?

I am getting married in a month and have a kilt and tweeds made for the occasion - somewhere between day wear and semi-formal when its all put together with the sporran. At the moment I have a pair of Thistle ghillies which just don't cut it style wise for me Any suggestions for alternatives if I can't get 'trendy' ghillies?!

Thanks all - great forum BTW (its amazing what you find through google!)

It's possible to find a pair of shoes you like and cut the tongue out, making your own retrofitted ghillies. For the wedding, no one will think ill of you for not wearing long-laced ghillies. A pair of wingtips or oxfords will do just fine. Chances are, no one will even look at your feet. Here's some free advice: whatever shoes you wear, make sure they're comfortable. you'll probabaly be standing a long time, and you don't want sore feet and legs to cast a shadow on the evening.

And, in conclusion, how about posting something in the "Newbie" section, so we can welcome you properly?

[Jock Scot]

I am wondering if all ghillie brogues are styled the same way? By that I mean all of the shoes I have seen have a very traditional rounded toe, quite wide footprint etc. I am looking for something a bit more contemporary and styled similar to my everyday office footwear - squarer in the toe and a more streamlined footprint. Does such a thing exist?

I am getting married in a month and have a kilt and tweeds made for the occasion - somewhere between day wear and semi-formal when its all put together with the sporran. At the moment I have a pair of Thistle ghillies which just don't cut it style wise for me Any suggestions for alternatives if I can't get 'trendy' ghillies?!

Thanks all - great forum BTW (its amazing what you find through google!)

"Hoggs of Fife" make a first class black brogue called, I think, "the Carnoustie". They will last for years! I am sure if you Google them all will become clear. Trendy ,well no. Appropriate? Yes.

[Grantsteve]

Thanks both - it appears I may be searching for something that doesn't exist. Making my own is an option although I'm not sure I could find a regular brogue that had the elements of a ghillie I like without the bits I don't like ... not that I'm fussy mind

Don't get me wrong, the Thistle ghillies I have are top quality, very soft leather, well made soles etc - they're just a bit 'clumpy' compared to my normal style

[OC Richard]

My ghillie brogues are kept for wearing with my PC. I wear normal plain black oxfords with day wear...

Interesting, because at least from the 1930's up till recently it was usual to wear buckled brogues (Mary Janes) for Evening Dress and ghillie-ties for Day Dress.

Not so back in the mid-19th century when ghillie-ties, buckled brogues, and oxfords were all three worn with any sort of dress.

Until I got exposed to a load of old images of Highland Dress I thought it "wrong" to wear ghillie-ties with Evening Dress.

[Paul]

I generally would only wear ghillie brogues with Argyll or diced hose on quite a formal occasion - if they worked best with the outfit. Otherwise I have 2 pairs of standard brogues - one rather shiney and the other just plain leather.