My new brogues

[billmcc]

Poor Mrs. MoR! You can't dance with all that rubber on your leather sole. James Brown would be appalled.

MoR mentioned a while back that he wears special shoes when dancing.

[longhuntr74]

I don't think I am likely to be dancing in these shoes. As billmcc mentions...there are party shoes for that. To be clear...I bought these shoes for dual purpose. In my current assignment, I wear "business casual" almost every day to work...sometimes a suit even...so they will get the most use over the next year or so in that mode. I do believe that I'll be wearing them as daywear with my kilts as well.

To Jim and others who have posted...I'm aware that A-E is in a different class than Florsheim (made one at a time in a US factory vs. mass production import). Florsheim used to be in that same class...I remember a couple of pair of Florsheims that my dad had and wore several times a week to work in the late 70s and early 80s....they were built. Like most other commercial goods, Florsheim has since gone overseas. I don't necessarily equate foreign made with poor quality, however. Like anything else, they can be great or a lemon.

This model is one of Florsheim's more expensive shoes...and I'm hoping that the higher price equates to higher quality. I have a pair of black "Lexington" wingtips that I was somewhat disappointed in and would not recommend to others. They are ok for what they are...but the leather is pretty stiff, the heel is a plastic spacer, and the sole is glued on, not sewn. This model, which costs about $50 more than the Lexington, appears to be made of better materials with a goodyear welted real leather sole and heel. If I am not happy with what I see when I receive these new ones, I'll simply send them back and put that money away in my Allen Edmonds piggy bank.

[creagdhubh]

I don't think I am likely to be dancing in these shoes. As billmcc mentions...there are party shoes for that. To be clear...I bought these shoes for dual purpose. In my current assignment, I wear "business casual" almost every day to work...sometimes a suit even...so they will get the most use over the next year or so in that mode. I do believe that I'll be wearing them as daywear with my kilts as well.

To Jim and others who have posted...I'm aware that A-E is in a different class than Florsheim (made one at a time in a US factory vs. mass production import). Florsheim used to be in that same class...I remember a couple of pair of Florsheims that my dad had and wore several times a week to work in the late 70s and early 80s....they were built. Like most other commercial goods, Florsheim has since gone overseas. I don't necessarily equate foreign made with poor quality, however. Like anything else, they can be great or a lemon.

This model is one of Florsheim's more expensive shoes...and I'm hoping that the higher price equates to higher quality. I have a pair of black "Lexington" wingtips that I was somewhat disappointed in and would not recommend to others. They are ok for what they are...but the leather is pretty stiff, the heel is a plastic spacer, and the sole is glued on, not sewn. This model, which costs about $50 more than the Lexington, appears to be made of better materials with a goodyear welted real leather sole and heel. If I am not happy with what I see when I receive these new ones, I'll simply send them back and put that money away in my Allen Edmonds piggy bank.

Please don't dance in your new brogues! I have been caught off guard several times with an impromptu Highland Fling and Sword Dance (see photos below), and did not have time to take off my Loake brogues - ugh, let's just say my Loake cedar shoe trees saved the day when it was all over with!

Nowadays when I attend ceilidhs and other related events or Scottish holidays, I always bring a pair of dance ghillies, or simply dance in my sock and soles! Can't wait to see your new brogues mate, it is indeed exciting as I currently own 4 pairs of Loake brogues, all different styles, and plan to add many more!






Kind regards,