Ghillie brogues, yes or no?

[Tim Little]

I'm actually rather partial to them w. a PC or semi-formal dress, or for piping (aesthetically only). Following Thompson's lead, I feel they clearly don't belong w. "white-tie" dress (Montrose doublet, etc.) when "Mary Jane" type shoes seem more appropriate, nor for casual wear when any good pair of shoes/boots will do nicely.

[BEEDEE]

I like them, but only for formal wear.

Brian

[muirkirkca]

Anything beyond a 4 eye lace-up is a nuisance. I think the ghillie descended from a sheep skin moccasin with sinew laces which terminated with tieing around the ankles. The modern ghillie appears to an attempt to replicate the appearance. The comments that they kill the feet should be warning enough but women wear 5 inch high hells for fashions sake.

[Detroitpete]

I'm a U.S. Navy "boonie" guy or I wear higher military issue combat boots for the Games. Just like the support, look and feel. I'm SURE I look a bit un-refined :-)

[Highlander31]

I wear them for semi formal events, and did wear them for business when I had to do the corporate thing. Now I usually wear boots for hikes, or my bally loafers if we are going to a casual party. My wife and I like to throw Renaissance parties and for that I wear a great kilt with the appropriate period footwear and other accessories.

[kiltedsawyer]

Prefer a pair of black dress shoes for formal occasions, ghillies just look like you're trying too hard. But if you like 'em..........by all means wear 'em.

[MacDhunadh]

As muirkirkca has written, the Ghillies are the descendants of the old highland brogues, so it's not possible to find them at Culloden or earlier times.

Ok, Ghillies are no shoes for casual wear, but i like them, because, nobody would wear old highland brogues when he doesn't wear the great kilt. At Culloden only the richer ones have worn shoes with buckles, the poor ones have worn the old highland brogues.

[DWFII]

At Culloden many would probably have been barefoot...but beyond that the buckle shoe was the man's shoe throughout the most of the 18th century and well into the 19th century.

Paintings of highland men made during or around that time (1740-1830) invariably show a buckle shoe. Paintings of Englishmen, paintings of American men, even Frenchmen, depict the buckle shoe or boots...with almost no other option--I can't think of one offhand.

And a nice black buckle shoe is as appropriate today and as formal/dressy with a kilt as anything out there...although I think the Mary Janes looks a little silly, esp. by comparison, but that's just my personal (professional?) opinion..

[Macman]

I'm actually rather partial to them w. a PC or semi-formal dress, or for piping (aesthetically only). Following Thompson's lead, I feel they clearly don't belong w. "white-tie" dress (Montrose doublet, etc.) when "Mary Jane" type shoes seem more appropriate, nor for casual wear when any good pair of shoes/boots will do nicely.

I'm with Tim. I like them, and for me they have their place as one more thing in the kilted repertoire.

[bawright]

ghillies ud be ok tho I dont have any, kind of part of the full look, I guess I prefer my lace up ropers for dancing and light hiking boots for round town (and off road)...sandals when its hot...