Formal Buckle Shoes

[OC Richard]

I used the standard Scottish thistle pattern buckles. I got them off Ebay.

About the sort of shoes which work for making up into "buckle loafers" I like starting with tassel loafers with wingtip style decoration. I've found these, very cheap, on Ebay:

Allen Edmonds "Chambrey"
I think it's ideal for affixing buckles to. Nice wingtip decoration, and a strap across the top for the buckle to be placed upon. All that has to be done is remove the tassels.

Allen Edmonds "Hardwick"
This shoe is very similar to the Chambrey but lacks the strap. So once you remove the tassels there's a large plain area where the buckle will go.

Nunn Bush
I don't know the name of this style but it's a wingtip tassel loafer with decorative strap over the top and fancy serrated flap. I removed the tassels and cut off the flap before I affixed the buckles.

[MacRobert's Reply]

I would not wear these to a black or white tie event but IMHO they are fine for an 18th Century Costume Ball in Venice and for a recent charity do at Balgonie Castle.

They are calf-leather monk-strap shoes with the small functional buckles removed and replaced with sam-brown studs. On this type of leather it is difficult to create the high shine that a dress shoe should have.

The thistle-buckles are ex-Gordon Highlanders'. I think my wife paid £10 or £12 for them. They are not functional on these shoes and, of course, were not functional on the Mary Jane's they were originally made for.

[creagdhubh]

MacRobert,

I have the exact same buckles on my patent leather buckle brogues. I took the old, rather plain silver buckles off the brogues after purchasing them and replaced them with the thistle embossed buckles - much better look in my opinion. However, I do own two pairs of buckle brogues, one pair with the standard, plain silver buckles, which aren't terrible, they just lack ornamentation, yet I do wear them at times. Wonderful thread, thanks to all who have posted.

Top view of the buckles.


I am second from the left - obviously, as I am the only one wearing buckle brogues!


Photo of me, my lovely wife, Stephanie (whom is Robertson), Lady Hilary Burnham and Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, Chief of Clan Macpherson - note myself and Cluny are wearing buckle brogues - his date from the 1950's!

[CMcG]

OC Richard, thanks for the tips.

And MacRobert's Reply, you've given me another idea with your converted monk's straps! I've checked all my local formal wear rental shops and they don't deal with slip on shoes. At my local thrift shops, monk strap shoes are much more common than opera pumps and I'm sure I could find a pair that would take a shine

<snip>
They are calf-leather monk-strap shoes with the small functional buckles removed and replaced with sam-brown studs. On this type of leather it is difficult to create the high shine that a dress shoe should have.

[GMcNab]

There's a very nice pair of British Army issue buckle brogues going on eBay UK at the moment...UK size 9

ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND BUCKLE KILT BROUGES

[creagdhubh]

There's a very nice pair of British Army issue buckle brogues going on eBay UK at the moment...UK size 9

ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND BUCKLE KILT BROUGES

Those are fairly nice...a wee bit worn and in desperate need of shoe trees, but not a bad price at all. I think they could be brought back to active-duty status with a wee bit of care.

[MacLowlife]

Brooks Bros with silver metal buckles... Not my shoes, not my size, but worth a look for those in the 9.5 club...

http://cgi.ebay.com/STUNNING-BLACK-P...item2a10765b50



Note Well, you may want to consider these even if you are a 9, because your kilt hose may be thicker than some people's dress socks.

Aloha, indeed.

[artificer]

Brooks Bros with silver metal buckles... Not my shoes, not my size, but worth a look for those in the 9.5 club...

http://cgi.ebay.com/STUNNING-BLACK-P...item2a10765b50



Note Well, you may want to consider these even if you are a 9, because your kilt hose may be thicker than some people's dress socks.

Aloha, indeed.

If I cut off my toes, heel, and a good portion of my instep, I MIGHT fit into those beauties.

Sadly, with all the other physical dysfunctions I've visited upon my poor body over the years, I feel that completely dismembering my feet to fit an (admittedly gorgeous) pair of buckled pumps to be a gross disservice.

ith:

Where are the size 13s?

[creagdhubh]

Very nice indeed! Thanks for sharing. I wish I could fit into them as well, I would have given them a try! I have been a loyal patron of Brooks Brothers for many years now, and I must admit, I have never come across formal pumps like these...complete with silver buckles! Wow! Thanks again.

Slainte,

[Cygnus]

Brooks Bros with silver metal buckles... Not my shoes, not my size, but worth a look for those in the 9.5 club...

http://cgi.ebay.com/STUNNING-BLACK-P...item2a10765b50



Note Well, you may want to consider these even if you are a 9, because your kilt hose may be thicker than some people's dress socks.

Aloha, indeed.

1/2 size too small... drat.

I've learned the hard way that one can go 1/2 size too big but will regret purchasing anything 1/2 size too small.

I envy the lucky and small-footed fellow who nabs these.