Oxfords with kilt

[Graeme H]

Lovely to see Mr Ashton dropping serious knowledge regarding shoe construction!

It all comes down to formality really - the more broguing on a shoe, the more casual it can be considered. Generally full brogues are made from grain leather and typically have a heavy "storm-welted" sole. More and more wingtips are showing up in calf leathers and with formal construction but generally are used fairly casually. Plain toecaps are the most formal shoe regardless of whether they are Oxford or Derby construction, I tend to recommend a Derby if a customer has a particularly wide foot as the open lacing is perhaps a little more comfortable.

I've learnt something today; I wasn't aware that there was any disdain for the Ghillie brogue! I suppose I'm so used to seeing it (I believe it to be the only option for those hiring Highland dress in the UK, unless a gentleman has his own shoes), and although I tell customers to consider a highly polished semi-brogue or plain toecap with Highland wear for formal events, there is no shortage of requests for the Ghillie.

I'll do a shoecare post at some point in the near future for those that wish to see the glacage process for shining a formal pair of shoes.