Formal Buckle Shoes

**DWFII** · 23rd April 11, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

Those are some nice buckles! They deserve a hot link:

the problem is that they are not really buckles. They're just ornaments pretending to be buckles.

**CMcG** · 23rd April 11, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by DWFII

the problem is that they are not really buckles. They're just ornaments pretending to be buckles.

Not necessarily a problem for me, although I understand that you are a shoe maker and have different interests.

I'm not too concerned with historical authenticity and more interested in the ornamentation factor. Working buckles could present quite a problem for me in my stated goal of a semi-DIY evening shoe for Highland attire. For this purpose, slip on shoes with decorative buckles are fine...

Or is there an important distinction I'm missing?

**DWFII** · 23rd April 11, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

Or is there an important distinction I'm missing?

For your stated purposes, probably not. But anyone who knows anything about shoes will know the difference. Just as anyone who knows anything about kilts can literally see the difference between a 16 ounce wool and a 13 ounce wool...nevermind acryllic.

Of course, aside from the fact that most people don't know much about shoes, such subtlties may not make any difference to you.

I'm not trying to tell you what you should like or wear. I'm just giving you some background information so that you can make a better...perhaps even informed...decision.

**CMcG** · 23rd April 11, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by DWFII

<snip>

Of course, aside from the fact that most people don't know much about shoes, such subtlties may not make any difference to you.

I'm not trying to tell you what you should like or wear. I'm just giving you some background information so that you can make a better...perhaps even informed...decision.

Well, I'm definitely one of those people who doesn't know much about shoes... but with posts like yours, I'm learning!

**longhuntr74** · 26th April 11, 03:38 PM

I am not a fan of pumps, thought the ones with the tongue are slightly more palatable. I'm a bit torn on the buckle brogues. The picture you posted does look rather "maryjane"-like, but the pair that RSV posted a couple weeks back (the actually RRoS issue ones) look more manly. I have a pair of reenactment buckle shoes that I would be tempted to wear, assuming I could shine them up properly...but they have nails in the heel.

Here are three historic pics of styles that I find sufficiently graceful, yet manly.

**MacLowlife** · 29th April 11, 06:23 AM

Sorry, folks we need to hijack this thread a moment- everybody remain seated, if you please...

Longhuntr, I really like that shot of the D of W and his wife and the dogs. Are there any other pictures of that occasion? It looks like he was wearing a bias-cut tartan waistcoat, but I can't make out much about his jacket. It looks to be velvet.

Based on her dress, I am guessing it is the 1960s...

**artificer** · 29th April 11, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

Sorry, folks we need to hijack this thread a moment- everybody remain seated, if you please...

Longhuntr, I really like that shot of the D of W and his wife and the dogs. Are there any other pictures of that occasion? It looks like he was wearing a bias-cut tartan waistcoat, but I can't make out much about his jacket. It looks to be velvet.

Based on her dress, I am guessing it is the 1960s...

Interestingly enough, it appears to be a shawl collar. It's definitely velvet, with a silk faced collar. From the line of the hem across his lap I'd say that it IS cut for a sporran (rather than being a saxon cut jacket).

Most definitely 1960s.

ith:

edit: here's a standing pic from either the same event or one where they appear to have worn the same outfits
http://www.ralphmag.org/dukeI.html

**DWFII** · 23rd May 11, 10:49 AM

^ I know I'm being a bit stuffy or stubborn but I just don't care for that style of shoe. People have said that it looks too feminine. And while I am not really sure I would go that far, it is just too similar to shoes made and worn by little ladies.

And as a shoemaker the larger buckle is one too many especially as it is just ornamentation and only adds to a sense of the gaudy or perhaps even primping.

For me, anyway, the shoe worn by the DOW below is as good as it gets. And again it sort of speaks to the centuries old dream of Scottish independence.