Black Tie Combinations

[Steve Ashton]

In answer to the question - I'm not much of a fur guy. I have nothing against fur, it's just not me.
The sporran in the photo is smooth, highly polished leather. It has a chrome formal cantle, not a leather one. This is the most formal sporran I own.

This is also the only time I have ever worn Ghillie Brogues. I don't care for them much. I now wear highly polished Brogued Oxfords for everything but the most formal occasions when I may switch to spit shined, plain oxfords without the broguing.

I have never worn a fly plaid. And won't.

I also do not own an Argyle jacket. I wear a jacket cut for a kilt but without the military influence. Dark charcoal Tweed with horn buttons in the daytime and Black Barathea but with black buttons in the evening.

Personal preference & KISS

[230Ball]

This is also the only time I have ever worn Ghillie Brogues. I don't care for them much.

I agree! However, would buckle brogues be too over-the-top with black tie/Prince Charlie?

[Jock Scot]

I agree! However, would buckle brogues be too over-the-top with black tie/Prince Charlie?

It depends on the event. For most black tie events the buckle brogues would be too much. Apart from the ultra formal black tie event well polished black oxfords will do you nicely. A wee observation, most new to kilt attire tend to overdress for black tie events.

[230Ball]

Thanks, Jock, this is getting easier!

[Steve Ashton]

Just so we are all using the same terms.

The word brogue and its plural broguing refer to the pattern of holes punched into a shoe.

When I was growing up we considered any shoe with the pattern of holes to be one level down in formality from a shoe without the pattern of holes. In general, we thought of all brogues as day wear shoes.
This has gradually undergone a change and you now see brogued shoes at formal events.

(A brogue in the UK is what in the US is sometimes called a 'Wing Tip"
An oxford shoe is one where the bottom of the laces are closed.
If the bottom of the laces are open the term is 'Blucher'.)

But I still feel that a plain shoe (without the pattern of holes) to be more formal.

I personally do not own any buckled shoes. They come across to 'costumey' to me. Too much a part of the Laird's Plaide/Cromach look which, I personally, do not wear.

If I were looking for a very formal shoe this is what I would wear - Patent Leather or polished to a shine that you could see yourself in (A Spitshine).



But everything I have said is my own personal preference. I do not ask, nor expect, anyone else to follow anything I say.

[230Ball]

Excellent, Steve! I think we're on the same freq.
BTW, is there a specific weight of hose recommended for dress oxfords? My novice assumption is that hose typically worn with Ghillie Brogues would be too thick or clunky looking with oxfords... like wearing boot socks.

[Steve Ashton]

Yes, kilt hose are usually thicker than standard dress socks.

The fix - buy larger shoes that fit.

Most old school shoe stores will ask you to bring the socks you are going to wear with the shoes with you when you try the shoes on.

See, I just showed my age again. Who has even seen a shoe store today where they actually sat down and measured your feet before going in the back and pulling that size off the shelf?

This is called a Brannock Device. At one time you did not buy a pair of shoes where a clerk would not put both of your feet in one of these. (yes, it is quite common for one foot to be larger than the other)

]

This one device take 3 different measurements at one time. The length or size, plus the width, plus the arch length.

[Terry Searl]

I've asked the question before on other threads but never seen an actual reply
What is it about Gillie Brogues that make them offensive to some people .......other than the laces, which can be shortened.

[Steve Ashton]

I personally find that the lack of a tongue make the laces dig into the top of my foot.

That is the purpose of the tongue inside a shoe. To keep the laces from leaving big gouges in the top of the foot. Ghillies are basically just a Brogued Oxford where the tongue is cut out and there are cutouts around the lace holes. All of that is just very uncomfortable on the top of my foot.

[tokareva]

I've asked the question before on other threads but never seen an actual reply
What is it about Gillie Brogues that make them offensive to some people .......other than the laces, which can be shortened.

This is really a great question Terry, I'm very interested in hearing the answers too, even though I don't particularly care for the shoes. I would also like to know if the Ghille Brogue is THE official kilt shoe or not. If so, when did it become so and who decided it was?