Black Tie Combinations

[Terry Searl]

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.

Yes from what seems like a sturdy functional style of shoe for walking in the wet and mud, why they evolved to a formal dress shoe is a wee bit strange, but then look how the kilt itself has evolved. A perfect woven cloth for shedding the inclement weather of the highlands to all kinds of materials and styles now. I really enjoy wearing my kilts and do so at almost every opportunity but the cost of them and the cost to clean them means they will never be "abused" by where and when I wear them (I use the term "abused" advisedly before anybody jumps on me for using it).

I sometimes think my mind is becoming more dependent on logic rather than thinking "outside the box" hence why I query things that others might just take for granted and prefer a logical reason rather than just someone's opinion

I don't wear the Ghillie Brogues all that often, I much prefer my slip on shoes, for ease of putting on and taking off, but when I do wear them I do like them to be clean and polished. I have never attended any event more formal than a wedding so doubt I will ever break any rules regarding black tie or white tie
The brogueing does tend to make spit polishing harder to do than just a plain capped oxford but because they aren't worn very often I can usually get away with just a vigorous brushing between wearings