Oxfords with kilt

[jesuisprest]

Hi folks,

I know that a brogue (wingtip) is more preferable to be worn with a kilt but I was wondering if the cap-toe Oxford can also be worn. I was just wondering if the cap-toe Oxford was considered a faux-pas. I am helping my father with his first kilt since he was a boy and we are trying to see if we NEED to get him a different pair of shoes or if his black Church's cap-toe would work.

Thanks!

Adam

[Father Bill]

Absolutely acceptable. I do it all the time. In fact, possibly to be considered a “step up” from the brogues.

[Tarheel]

I get a better shine on my "cap top" oxfords than my wingtip shoes. To me, it depends on how much I want to dress up (or shine above the crowd).

Few folks wear a kilt here, so their focus is not on my shoes.

[jesuisprest]

Thanks Father Bill and Tarheel!

That clears it up. I hat bought him a really nice pair of black Church's cap toe a few years ago and I am glad that they will work. Saves us a bit of money too!

Best,
Adam

[Moses]

Thanks Father Bill and Tarheel!

That clears it up. I hat bought him a really nice pair of black Church's cap toe a few years ago and I am glad that they will work. Saves us a bit of money too!

Best,
Adam

Those shoes are excellent and the cap toe is an upgrade in formality like Father Bill said - but they are flexible too. I do like to wear my brogues for almost any occasion but when I really dress up I wear my black cordovan cap toes (since I don't have a whole-cut Oxford or exclusively formal shoe)

[Hirsty]

I always feel that the Oxfords are better than Brogues is one of those public school rules in the same league as "never wear brown in town".

As far as formal kilted wear both are on equal footing (no pun intended) but Brogues are more common. I think this is because you are more adorned than you would be in a dinner jacket.

Personally, I think they look best with trews but Oxfords are fine with a kilt, after all dancers ghillies are usually unadorned.

[kingandrew]

I agree that oxfords, especially high-quality shoes like Church's, are perfectly fine. I wear them frequently and I see others at kilted events doing likewise.

I'm curious about the story behind your father's long-delayed return to the kilt. What's the occasion?

Andrew

[Jock Scot]

Are we talking proper brogues or are we talking about those dreadful ghillie things? If we are talking proper brogues, then, as we are specifically talking kilt attire, then well polished black brogues will do nicely for almost any occasion, even minor formal evening events. Likewise, so will well polished Oxfords with kilt attire and will do quite nicely for most black tie events . Not all shoes are made the same though and shoes with thick brothel creeper soles, or 4x4 style tread or a general "clumpy look" are best avoided if you want to cut a dash in your kilt around town.

[FossilHunter]

Are we talking proper brogues or are we talking about those dreadful ghillie things? If we are talking proper brogues, then, as we are specifically talking kilt attire, then well polished black brogues will do nicely for almost any occasion, even minor formal evening events. Likewise, so will well polished Oxfords with kilt attire and will do quite nicely for most black tie events . Not all shoes are made the same though and shoes with thick brothel creeper soles, or 4x4 style tread or a general "clumpy look" are best avoided if you want to cut a dash in your kilt around town.

That's a unique description (in bold).

[Jock Scot]

That's a unique description (in bold).

I did not coin the phrase!

Maybe I am showing my age, but the term was used for thick soled shoes, in the 1950's/60's/70's and perhaps the 80's and possibly longer. I bet if you googled the term, something will pop up about that style of shoe.