My new brogues

[Calico]

The saga is nearly over.

The best surprise of the week, however, was the email that I received yesterday afternoon telling me that my shoes had shipped...on Wednesday rather than Friday or Monday, as expected! So I did a little happy dance and am now anxiously, yet patiently, awaiting the arrival of my new shoes...hope there are no more issues.

Come on, the suspense is killing us! Did they arrive? Do you like them? Did the delivery people make off with them?

[longhuntr74]

Come on, the suspense is killing us! Did they arrive? Do you like them? Did the delivery people make off with them?

They arrived yesterday and they are superb!!! The fit with thinner dress socks is just a touch roomy width wise, but the length is great. I tried them on wearing boot/hiking socks and they fit absolutely perfect...so I am presuming they will fit perfect with kilt hose. I wore them to work/school today and they are already broken in. I pulled a pair of thin insoles out of another pair of shoes and slipped them in...and that seemed to take up the little play that I felt with thin socks.

I know, I know...pics or it didn't happen...give me a few days. Had a project due today and then had to take my wife for her 6week post-op appointment...so things are a bit hectic. Maybe they'll do an appearance with a kilt tomorrow!

[Highlander31]

Congratulations. Those shoes will give you many years (decades) of service. Look forward to seeing the photos.

[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,

[Mael Coluim]

As so many threads on XMarks are this too has been a real education. My trusty Florsheims that have served me well for a many of year when needed to be replaced will be by Allen Edmonds. Of course when I bought mine they were made in the USA. Excellent suggestion MoR “that you have your local shoe repair shop put a thin rubber sole over the leather soles.”

[longhuntr74]

I promised to post pics of the new shoes nearly three weeks ago...so here they are. I apologize, but I'm wearing pants and not a kilt. I have not yet worn these with a kilt, but they've adorned my feet at work/school 1-2 days per week every week since I received them. They are absolutely fabulous...but I need to do without them for about a week so I can get them to the shoe place and get the rubber outsole added. Anyways, without further ado:

and another view:

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Quite handsome!

[MacMillans son]

OOOOOOOOOOOh, those are nice Jeff!

I ordered a pair of the AE Strands in dark brown burnished but the fit is just not right. Its not the size, but the shape that doesn't work for my foot. The Macallister and the Strand are made on the AE # 5 last, which is for long narrow feet, but that is not my shape. I tried a narrower and a wider size at the local Nordstoms before I ordered mine so thought I had got it right, but unfortunately not. I really love the look of both of those models, but alas, they're not for me.

I have a pair of black Johnston Murphy Waverlys that I really like, but they don't have a brown version. I'm checking the selection of brown brogues at Herring and found a couple that look great and hopefully one will work.

Thanks for FINALLY posting the photos! They look great!!

Enjoy,
Brooke

[longhuntr74]

OOOOOOOOOOOh, those are nice Jeff!

I ordered a pair of the AE Strands in dark brown burnished but the fit is just not right. Its not the size, but the shape that doesn't work for my foot. The Macallister and the Strand are made on the AE # 5 last, which is for long narrow feet, but that is not my shape. I tried a narrower and a wider size at the local Nordstoms before I ordered mine so thought I had got it right, but unfortunately not. I really love the look of both of those models, but alas, they're not for me.

I have a pair of black Johnston Murphy Waverlys that I really like, but they don't have a brown version. I'm checking the selection of brown brogues at Herring and found a couple that look great and hopefully one will work.

Thanks for FINALLY posting the photos! They look great!!

Enjoy,
Brooke

Brooke and Scott...thanks for the compliments. I truly love them...the color and the fit.

To Brooke...sorry that your venture did not work out for you. Yes, Herring's looked like a great alternative for numerous brands (Herring's, Church's, Loake, etc). They all come it at relatively the same price that I paid...$250-325 range. All will be well built shoes, to be certain!

[artificer]

Those are splendid! I really love the walnut leather.

How is the fit on those? I've got feet like a duck's, not QUITE an E, but close enough to go with either a D or an E width (especially in kilt hose).

ith: