kiltwearing advice from 1936

[Bugbear]

Ok, here's what I noticed on this one.

"Patent brogues, either lacing or buckling, as illustrated, are most usual, but plain patent court shoes with buckles are sometimes used. (Three styles
of shoes are shown, lowcut loafers with nonfuctional buckles, Ghillies with buckles, and Mary Jane style with buckles.)"


"lowcut loafers with nonfuctional buckles," in 1936.

I'm guessing "plain patent court shoes" are basically evening pumps with buckles instead of bows?

[creagdhubh]

Ok, here's what I noticed on this one.

"Patent brogues, either lacing or buckling, as illustrated, are most usual, but plain patent court shoes with buckles are sometimes used. (Three styles
of shoes are shown, lowcut loafers with nonfuctional buckles, Ghillies with buckles, and Mary Jane style with buckles.)"


"lowcut loafers with nonfuctional buckles," in 1936.

I'm guessing "plain patent court shoes" are basically evening pumps with buckles instead of bows?

Yes, I think you are correct. I'm attempting to affix a pair of sterling silver, thistle motif buckles to a pair of patent leather pumps from Brooks Brothers now, that only have a bit of grosgrain ribbon (in bows) on the toes. I think they would look superb with diced hose, especially red and white. Wish me luck! HA! Photos will follow.

[OC Richard]

"lowcut loafers with nonfuctional buckles," in 1936.

In 1836 too.

There are numerous paintings of military men wearing these in the 1830's up until 1900.

Though nowadays the military wear Mary Jane style shoes with diced full hose, in the 19th century it was usually these "buckle loafers" as I call them.

Here are two officers of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, in the 1890s, the one on the left in Review Order, the one on the right in Levee Dress.



Here's a civilian wearing similar in 1860:



And civilians wearing them, though a bit higher cut, in the late 1860s:





and here are my reproduction of these, made from ordinary loafers: