Boots versus Ghillie Brogues

[Jock Scot]

I have to confess that I had to google “Balmoral boots” and “Thursday boots”to get an idea of what they looked like. To my eye they work well with trousers but not so well with the kilt. Is the overall impression any better than ghillies when worn with the kilt? To my eye they are just as dreadful.

Each to their own.

[RGM1]

I am wearing my polished leather black hiking boots occasionally on my kilt outings and getting good feedback. My view is going to this being a nice way to make a dressed up outfit a bit more relaxed. I noted a comment by Rocky from USA kilts on a recent YouTube video suggesting combat boots which seem more casual to me.

[Father Bill]

Seems to me that this is largely a national difference. Those in favour of boots often seem to be countrymen. Those less favourable, of different nations.

It's interesting to me that national preferences are informing the wearing of one nation's national dress.

[Tomo]

I wear boots if dressing very casually - mainly if I am off to the rugby but also when I am running tours if the activity involves a bit of hiking or jumping on and off boats etc or is somewhat casual in nature. In these instances I usually wear hiking boots - but I do also have a pair of Timberland's with brogue wingtips - however these also have a thick hiking type sole. I have seen smarter looking wingtip boots - but I can't say it's a look I favour.

I did once wear a pair of Chelsea/Dealer style boots - more out of necessity as I was traveling and didn't really have the space to take an extra pair just to wear with my kilt. Perhaps the only time I have felt a little self-conscious when kilted. I just didn't think this was a "look" that worked.

That said - most often I just wear brogue shoes (not ghillies) regardless as to the formality of the occasion.