Boots versus Ghillie Brogues

**Father Bill** · 21st June 24, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by JPS

"Thongs" if you like, though when speaking about how people in California dress, I can understand why he didn't choose that term.

I thought that was underwear!

**OC Richard** · 23rd June 24, 04:37 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

OCR.

I see you that mention "Zorries", in your post above, which I assume are some form of footwear? Could you confirm to this "old boy" from the other side of the Atlantic that they are and, what do they they look like, please?

As a kid hanging out on the Southern California beaches in the 1960s we called them zorries.

But those things are tricky, because another Southern California word for them, "thongs", should be avoided due to meaning something quite different in other parts of the English speaking world.

And "sandals" doesn't fit either, which are generally leather and more substantially made.

It was only fairly recently that I discovered that "zorrie" was a Japanese word...Pacific Rim and all that.

**Jock Scot** · 23rd June 24, 08:14 AM

OCR

Well, I did ask!Thank you.

I think I will stick with the British(?) terminology of "flip flops".

**Tobus** · 25th June 24, 04:14 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

OCR

Well, I did ask!Thank you.

I think I will stick with the British(?) terminology of "flip flops".

I believe that most of the USA calls them flip-flops too. I've never heard the term zorries.

**COScotsman** · 25th June 24, 09:01 AM

During the early to mid 70s here in CO, they were known as thongs. The 80s came along and the name changed to flip-flops as not to be confused with other apparel. I only heard the term zori (草履) while living in Japan.

**OC Richard** · 25th June 24, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by COScotsman

During the early to mid 70s here in CO, they were known as thongs. The 80s came along and the name changed to flip-flops as not to be confused with other apparel. I only heard the term zori (草履) while living in Japan.

I have no explanation for us Southern California teens and kids using the term "zori" in the 1960s, but there it is.

If somebody said "thongs" "sandals" or the onomatopoeic "flipflops" I would know what they meant, but for us the ordinary word was zorries.

For sure there was a large local Japanese-American presence, still is.

**FossilHunter** · 26th June 24, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I have no explanation for us Southern California teens and kids using the term "zori" in the 1960s, but there it is.

If somebody said "thongs" "sandals" or the onomatopoeic "flipflops" I would know what they meant, but for us the ordinary word was zorries.

For sure there was a large local Japanese-American presence, still is.

I grew up in San Diego and never heard the term zories. In my household it was always flip flops. But I was a kid in the 90s so it could be a generational thing. Or maybe even regional.

**Awex14** · 7th August 24, 09:19 PM

EDIT: whoops, double reply, sorry!

**Awex14** · 7th August 24, 10:25 PM

I am officially coming out in opposition to the “no boots” crowd. I think boots tend to compliment kilts very nicely. The height of the boots combined with your kilt hose makes for a well proportioned look. Similar to how people lace ghillie brogues up so high. It gives that same proportionality to the outfit. That being said, I do not think you should wear any kind of hiking boots to a wedding unless it is extremely informal.

The issue is one of picking the right boots. I often wear wingtip boots from a company called Thursday Boots with my kilt and think they look very smart with a tweed jacket and vest along with a dress shirt and tie. This would be a very smart look for a day time wedding. You can definitely also wear oxfords, but I like the boots better. Even in strict “morning dress” (daytime white tie), balmoral boots are appropriate. My boots are not balmorals, they’re a bit less formal. But the brogueing compliments highland attire nicely and the profile is sleek and elegant.

For an evening wedding or a more formal affair, I’d stick to the ghillies or wingtip oxfords. No matter what, brogue is the way.

EDIT: these are the boots I use https://thursdayboots.com/products/m...-boot-color-77

**Jock Scot** · 8th August 24, 12:09 AM

I have to confess that I had to google “Balmoral boots” and “Thursday boots”to get an idea of what they looked like. To my eye they work well with trousers but not so well with the kilt. Is the overall impression any better than ghillies when worn with the kilt? To my eye they are just as dreadful.

Each to their own.