My New Brogues for Highland Evening Wear

**Dixiecat** · 19th February 10, 11:13 AM

In North America, pumps (court shoes in British English) are heeled shoes with low cut fronts and usually no fastening, can also be formal shoes for both genders.

Just a definition for pumps. No need to put pump in quotes as it is an actual type of shoe.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 20th February 10, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Asser 1

I have pumps and have attempted attaching buckles to the bows. I had trouble successfully attaching them with the bows. If you find success let me know. I am sure they could be attached more permanently but I wanted the option of removing the buckles for when I wear saxon black tie.

Can you post a photo of the back of your buckles? I only ask because they my require a bit of tinkering to make them work. You may also have to remove and re-attach the bows.

The most effective conversion of this type that I have seen involved removing the bows and attaching velcro to the backside. A matching strip of velcro was then attached to each shoe. The buckles were then attached to pieces of patent leather with a velco backing. Swapping out the buckles and bows only took a few seconds.

**Lyle1** · 20th February 10, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

The most effective conversion of this type that I have seen involved removing the bows and attaching velcro to the backside. A matching strip of velcro was then attached to each shoe.

My wife has some vintage shoe clips that were used as a way to change the look of a plain shoe. A decorative feature (bow, broach, flower) is attached to a hinged clip. The decorated side is placed at the edge of top of the shoe, and the other piece of the clip folded under the top of the shoe. The two pieces are then snapped together. Some of them hold quite tightly.

**Riverkilt** · 20th February 10, 10:33 AM

What a great thread!

Living in Indian Country I can tell you that Native Americans are often hypervigilant about non-Native Americans wearing real eagle feathers. And, they are most aggressive about confronting a non-Native American wearing an eagle feather. Gotta be tough for the "government" to police that law. Seems most Native Americans are eager to do that policing for the government.

I have been confronted vigorously for wearing a raven feather in a hat. Raven's are not covered in the law but the gentleman in my face about it thought it was an eagle feather. Pointed out that it was completely jet black and asked if he'd ever seen a black eagle...

There are legal feathers in my office and its not uncommon that the first question from a Native American client is, "Are those eagle feathers?" Their tone is always suspicious and they seem ready to unload if I answer yes.

I'm positive that if someone in full Scottish regalia with an eagle feather came to my little town next to the reservation that they probably couldn't walk two blocks down the street before they'd be surrounded by Native Americans pointing to the eagle feather and ignoring the kilt and other kit.

Point is just that in Indian Country the law is very well known and vigorusly enforced by Native peoples.

Native American craft supply stores usually stock immitation eagle feathers - which would keep someone within the law while presenting a similar appearance.

**Asser 1** · 24th February 10, 03:42 PM

I will try to get some pics posted. I thought about the velcro option and thought it would hold the bows but wasn't sure on the buckles.

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

Can you post a photo of the back of your buckles? I only ask because they my require a bit of tinkering to make them work. You may also have to remove and re-attach the bows.

The most effective conversion of this type that I have seen involved removing the bows and attaching velcro to the backside. A matching strip of velcro was then attached to each shoe. The buckles were then attached to pieces of patent leather with a velco backing. Swapping out the buckles and bows only took a few seconds.

**creagdhubh** · 24th February 10, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I agree, understated is the way to go. It is quite undesirable to make too much of these things.

Right on.

**creagdhubh** · 24th February 10, 06:35 PM

Cheers!

**davidlpope** · 1st July 10, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

I have just purchased the following formal shoes, actually called 'pumps' from Brooks Brothers. They are made high quality patent leather (they come in calf skin as well), stiched leather soles, and have grosgrain ribbon in black on the toes. I have ordered silver brogue buckles with thistle embossements to attach to the grosgrain part of the shoes.

Kyle,

Where did you order the buckles for your buckle brogues and these pumps from? I'm having a devil of a time finding a place to get some replacements for the standard ones that came with my buckle brogues.

David

**thescot** · 1st July 10, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

. . . if someone wishes to arrest me because they see me wearing one eagle feather in my balmoral, by all means, let them try! HA!

Cheers gents,

Here, here. I tire very easily of people who are constantly looking for something by which they may be offended. It offends me.

I'd love to see the buckles, too.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 1st July 10, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

Kyle,

Where did you order the buckles for your buckle brogues and these pumps from? I'm having a devil of a time finding a place to get some replacements for the standard ones that came with my buckle brogues.

David

David-- your best best for buckles is your local antique mall. A nice set of shoe buckles will run anything from $25 to $65, or perhaps a bit more--
Scott