Buckle brogues yes, Ghillie no: Come & have a go if you think you are 'ard enough

[svc40bt]

Of the shoes discussed so far, I prefer the 'Glen Finnan' buckle style the best, though I would be unlikely to find a pair to fit my extra wide and extra thick at the instep feet. The buckle brogues that were the original topic might work if the top strap were long enough. I would prefer those to the ghillie brogues, Catholic School girls notwithstanding. As long as we are talking formal footware, let me throw out one more style of formal shoe, that I probably can't get to fit me: the 'opera pump' What say the rabble to these with your white tie kilted getup?

[Good Egg]

Of the shoes discussed so far, I prefer the 'Glen Finnan' buckle style the best, though I would be unlikely to find a pair to fit my extra wide and extra thick at the instep feet. The buckle brogues that were the original topic might work if the top strap were long enough. I would prefer those to the ghillie brogues, Catholic School girls notwithstanding. As long as we are talking formal footware, let me throw out one more style of formal shoe, that I probably can't get to fit me: the 'opera pump' What say the rabble to these with your white tie kilted getup?

They would not be for me but I don't think they would be totally outre as formal evening wear, I'd prefer them with some sort of 'brogue' like pattern but I still don't think I'd wear them myself. Have you got as pair, or is this speculative research?

[The Barry]

Those are quite interesting. I would also like to see those brogued.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I have a pair of these that are about 30 years old, which I wear with white tie (formal balls, not dinners). They look quite smart with diced hose, providing the dicing goes all the way to the toe. Otherwise a bit of the solid colour foot shows between the vamp (? terminology) and the dicing and looks every bit as bad as a white shirt showing between the top of the kilt and the bottom of the waistcoat.

With cut steel buckles they look alright with highland attire. That said it should be pointed out that cut steel buckles are technically only worn to court; at all other times silk grosgrain bows (as in the photograph) are worn.

[McMurdo]

Yes Phil I must admit those do indeed put mine in the shade.

[sputtyduke]

It's just my opinion, but buckled shoes with a kilt is screaming catholic schoolgirl to me.

[WARPIPER]

Having just attended my first Burns dinner in a PC, I was quite happy with my Buckle brogues, They were surprisingly comfortable and with the tartan hose looked great. My girl friend was concerned about the look when I described them to her but she was very pleased with the look as well. Not girly, but very dressy. I also have a pare of gillie brogues that I like as well, just not for black tie.

[DWFII]

With all due respect and with tongue only slightly embedded in cheek...

Fer cryin' out loud why can't we just appreciate the leather for what it is without mucking it up with a bunch of superfluous and even detrimental-to-the-integrity-of-the-shoe perfs?! Ie. broguing.

Regardless of whether they would be suitable for kilts or not, what would broguing add to those shoes that they don't already possess? Why not add sequins while we're at it?

As it is they are clean, spare, and elegant. If they are a little "too-too," adding broguing (or sequins) is only gonna make it worse.

There is a concept in the world of aesthetics---that means what-looks-good--that "more is less." It applies to what we wear, too. At one point whether it pertains to shoes or the whole kit, things can get so busy you can't see what is really there.

Is it a way to hide?

[GDub]

I'm not partial to the the "fussy" shoes, but I guess that's not a big surprise.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]