Black Tie Combinations

[Terry Searl]

Over on the Bob Dunsmire pipers site you will find all sorts of horror stories about wearing Ghillie Brogues on long parades.

Guys who have ended up with blisters bleeding feet and aching feet.

I can't imagine that those blistering and bleeding feet were cause by the top of the shoes so can only imagine that the shoes those fellows wore were ill fitting to begin with

[Hirsty]

Back home, it is not uncommon to see Ghillie Brogues worn at black tie events. I currently wear them to black tie events as my buckle brogues are missing in action - as I recently moved to the US many of my things are in boxes yet to be unearthed.

Diced hose are fine. But also a pair that are coloured to match your kilt are as good for black tie, just don't do black (funerals) or white (pipers).

Personally, I think buckled brogues and diced hose go best with a doublet.

I would also like to point out that Highland attire can and is worn at white tie balls and galas.

[LKM]

Over on the Bob Dunsmire pipers site you will find all sorts of horror stories about wearing Ghillie Brogues on long parades.

Guys who have ended up with blisters bleeding feet and aching feet.

Many pipers have found a way around this in military themed pipe bands as there are pipers wearing a wide variety of shoes under spats. As long as the shoes are black leather it is hard to notice what shoe it is unless you are in the band tent with the band. Spats are more uniform and less civilian dress; thankfully there are several styles of formal shoes available.

[McMurdo]

For the most part they will be seen as a little over the top for Black Tie. For the 1 kilt 10 looks thread I decided to wear ghillie brogues with diced hose for the Black Tie look and change to my buckle brogues for the White Tie. Here is the link:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

Recently I tried Argyll hose and buckle brogues with my black argyll jacket



A wee while ago we were invited to a friends home for a Black Tie gathering and I decided to wear the buckle brogues and argyll hose, this time with my Prince Charlie



This was my outfit for Burns Night this year almost the same as the above but with a horsehair sporran



I will let you decide what is right for you but think this illustrates that it can be done. Your mileage may vary of course. Also White Tie is the most formal you can go and is most definitely a step above Black Tie.

[230Ball]

Gentlemen,
This has been an outstanding thread!
If I may, some formal shirts have plain plackets and other have studs. Is there a protocol there, or is it simply personal preference? I prefer a winged collar, but it's placket is fitted for studs.
Cheers

[Blaidd]

Most invitations to these sort of events will also say "or national dress" but as I am not officially representing the country of Scotland I do not feel that it would be proper to wear someone else's National Dress.

Steve,
I am still catching up on this great site, and therefore apologies for quoting you from such an old thread. I would say however, that personally (and I stress, personally) I disagree with your comment concerning National Dress - to me, you do not need to be representing said Country, but if that is your heritage, then that is your 'National Dress'. Of course, I fully understand that it is completely down to how comfortable you, the individual are under the circumstances.
(I use any excuse to get (appropriately) cilted though...

Edit: Having just read further down the thread, I note you are a kindred spirit from across the pond: USMC vs RM! Oorah!

[Blaidd]

A tongue in cheek title, of course, but I was interested in the whole to wear/not to wear and when discussion on the shoe in question. Having been in discussion several years ago with a respected formal 'cobbler/shoe smith', he informed me the original reason behind the design of Ghillie brogues was purely practical. Shoes without a tongue dried quicker, as did the socks underneath. This meant that they were more practical in the Scottish countryside, where, let’s be honest, getting wet is highly likely!

The long laces also originally had a purely functional purpose. Tying the laces higher up meant that your shoes were far less likely to be pulled off in the mud: another likely scenario in the Scottish countryside if wet! Additionally, the higher the laces, the hope is that the dryer they will stay, thus making them easier to untie when the time comes to remove them.

I wonder if Steve's comments regarding their relatively late development refers to the softer Highland Dancing shoe variant?? (conjecture and a search for knowledge on my part)?

[Terry Searl]

I looked up the reason for Gillie brogues and got the same info as you about the tongueless shoe drying quicker and the high tied laces being more able to be un tied easier when needed........Never have I worn my Gillie Brogues in conditions that would verify those statements

[Blaidd]

Terry, me neither 😂 but I suppose, back in the day, a 'sturdy pair of shoes' was de rigeur for a brisk country stroll! Why they have developed as the evening shoe of choice(?) I am uncertain, but as a military man, I am with Steve in that brogue =less formal and plain, highly bulled (mirror shined, spit polished) shoes (or, '' brothel creepers'' as my Naval father coined them😂) are the formal norm.

[Steve Ashton]

It is threads like this that prove just how great X Marks is. We all come her because of this garment called the kilt. One guy may like the Laird's Plaide/Cromach look and another may prefer the Boots and t-shirt look. One is not better/worse, right or wrong.

About the only thing we agree on is that the pleaty part goes in the back.

We can respect each others personal preferences without saying that one preference is the correct way.

And we can all do this without the flame wars or hurt feelings that seem to be so common today.

So - Well done all.