Buckle brogues yes, Ghillie no: Come & have a go if you think you are 'ard enough

**Good Egg** · 2nd February 09, 10:05 AM

The crenelated hose with the skein dhub worn tucked into the tape is interesting.

(Patent leather is on my list of things I 'hate')

**DWFII** · 2nd February 09, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Jack Daw

I have a pair of buckle shoes in 18th C style by Fugawee. They are VERY comfortable, but I would think they would not be appropriate for strictly formal wear (jabot, fly plaid, etc). I thought such shoes were supposed to be in patent leather. Please advise, those in the know.

I agree...as long as they are polished and clean they present a very formal look. In the illustrations just posted above most of the buckle shoes depicted are in the 18c. style (and making allowance for "artistic license" ) it appears that the "mary jane style" shown in the last set are not brogues at all (if broguing defines a brogue).

The Fugawees may not be polishable, however. They purport to be historical replicas and historically those kind of shoes would have been made from a leather that became memorialized as "wax calf"--where the smooth or grainside was turned in (the shoes were not lined) and the rough or fleshside was stufffed and waxed with lanolin and lampblack.

The true vintage shoes (or at least boots made from that leather) took a great shine...almost patent in nature. But the process for producing wax calf and firms utilizing it disappeared some decades ago...maybe in the 1950's (?)...so what is being done today (in an attempt to reproduce the look) doesn't usually have a surface that is polishable.

**macwilkin** · 3rd February 09, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Courtmount

Anybody got any views on whether I should wear buckle brogues with pink hose with a hodden grey kilt or should I lash out on a decent pair of London/Toronto Scottish diced hose?

The latter; INMHO, the TOR SCOT/LS diced hose are some of the most strking diced hose; when I ordered my new pair of diced hose from Skye Highland Outfitters, I based them on the TOR SCOT/LS pattern.

Regards,

Todd

**Good Egg** · 3rd February 09, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

The latter; INMHO, the TOR SCOT/LS diced hose are some of the most strking diced hose; when I ordered my new pair of diced hose from Skye Highland Outfitters, I based them on the TOR SCOT/LS pattern.

Regards,

Todd

What kilt do you wear them with?

I have designed a Tartan using hodden grey, light and dark blue based on the Govt tartan. I doubt I will ever be able to afford to get it made but... maybe one day. Probably look dreadful anyway but as I grow older I can get away with greater eccentricity...

**svc40bt** · 3rd February 09, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

The latter; INMHO, the TOR SCOT/LS diced hose are some of the most strking diced hose; when I ordered my new pair of diced hose from Skye Highland Outfitters, I based them on the TOR SCOT/LS pattern.

Regards,

Todd

Pictures? Or at least a description for those of us who are not particularly familiar with regimental uniforms?

**Hamish** · 3rd February 09, 10:30 AM

I much prefer "Buckle Brogues" to those ghastly long-laced Ghillie Brogues which, to my mind, look absolutely terrible - especially when worn as day-wear, which many do. Dress belts with waist plates have a similar effect on me, but that's another story.

The 'Mary Jane' style of buckle shoe was popular in the Victorian era, but I am afraid it is just too 'girly' for my liking. This is what I wear as formal footwear - the Glenfinnan shoe from Mackenzie Frain in Scotland, with a higher tongue than usual and slightly higher, shaped heels:

By the way, Ghillie Brogues are no more suited to dancing in than are any solid, stiff-soled shoes with heels. They are 'clumpy' and noisy and far too heavy - alright for clog-dancing perhaps! Dance shoes should be light and flexible. Ghillie pumps being designed for the purpose!

Take care,
Ham.

**Cynthia** · 3rd February 09, 10:43 AM

Hamish, I LOVE those shoes. I'll have to send that information to my hubby for when we're ready to get him something nice like that.

**macwilkin** · 3rd February 09, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by svc40bt

Pictures? Or at least a description for those of us who are not particularly familiar with regimental uniforms?

http://tsrpd.com/

T.

**macwilkin** · 3rd February 09, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Courtmount

What kilt do you wear them with?

I have designed a Tartan using hodden grey, light and dark blue based on the Govt tartan. I doubt I will ever be able to afford to get it made but... maybe one day. Probably look dreadful anyway but as I grow older I can get away with greater eccentricity...

Oooh..I'd like to see that tartan, if you please.

I wear my hose with my Iowa tartan kilt.

T.

**Good Egg** · 3rd February 09, 10:46 AM

Hamish, yes I like that although I would prefer it with a more brogue or 'wing tip' style of shoe.

You can also get monk shoes. What would you think of this (in black). I will be tempted if my issue brogues ever wear out: