Footwear in a daily setting with the kilt

[The Barry]

Comfortable ghillies can be worn day after day.

Saving that, I would suggest boots. Boots, hose full up or scrunched down, look great with a kilt unless you start wearing a tie, waistcoat, etc.

Boots are what I almost always wear with my kilt unless I'm going formal enough to warrant a jacket. I wear black, side-zip boots made for police, swat, etc. They are quick to break in, super comfortable, supportive, and engineered to be comfortable for 8-10 hours on your feet daily. Hiking boots will give you the same benefits, but usually only come in browns. I like my boots black, and zippered.

Hope this helps.

[svc40bt]

As documented in another thread today, you can wash your kilt hose with shampoo and hang to dry (like I would anyway). You could also get some of those fast dry travel shirts (that can also be washed in the sink). Should be able to bring 3-4 kilts, 3-4 hose, and 3-4 shirts in a carry-on easily. Probably room for an extra pair of shoes. Air the kilts out between wearings, wash the shirts and hose in the hotel sink; presto, 3 wks clothes in a carry-on bag.

I used to take 2 weeks worth of clothes (use the hotel laundry once) in a carry on for international travel back before all these travel friendly clothes came out. Granted I was going to places a lot warmer than Scotland.

[Jock Scot]

You will probably see all sorts of styles of foot wear at our highland games. I have never seen a modern type non tartan kilt at a highland games ,or,anywhere else either,but there we are. A properly worn tartan kilt, worn with the good old standard brogue and hose worn at the, (dare I say it?)proper height, is without doubt, almost expected. Sometimes a highland games give a very good impression of the Somme battlefield and a good pair of boots is(hose worn up) a good idea. You may be surprised how few kilts will be on show,so, if you don't want to stick out like a sore thumb, stick to the traditional line closely.

[Nick the DSM]

Converse Chuck taylors!!!!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Converse Chuck taylors!!!!

Red ones!

[Phil]

In Scotland you will find that age determines the style to a large extent. Anyone under about 40 years is likely to wear chunky boots, scrunched down hose/socks and a casual top/sweater. Old farts (like me) are more likely to wear standard brogues, hose pulled up and either a shirt & tie with a tweed jacket or a chunky sweater. In all cases, young and old, a tartan kilt will be worn.

[rodandy]

Any kilted occaision is the right time to be wearing proper kilt hose, another thing you may need to consider is the climate. Even in July it can be considerably cooler in Scotland than in San Francisco. You can wear the hiking boots with kilt hose up or down, and yes you can wear Oxfords with kilt hose.

I've been in Scotland and San Francisco both in July, and I'm not so sure that it is going to be much cooler in Scotland than San Francisco. In fact, I'm with Mark Twain who reportedly said "The coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco".

This discussion leads me to a related question I've been wondering about: What about flashes with the hose in a more casual setting (i.e. hiking boots)? Are flashes always appropriate, or only with dress shoes?

Thanks.

[svc40bt]

I believe the general answer you are likely to get here are that flashes are apropriate, regardless of footwear, if you are wearing your hose up, not scrunched.

[isantop]

I've been in Scotland and San Francisco both in July, and I'm not so sure that it is going to be much cooler in Scotland than San Francisco. In fact, I'm with Mark Twain who reportedly said "The coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco".

This discussion leads me to a related question I've been wondering about: What about flashes with the hose in a more casual setting (i.e. hiking boots)? Are flashes always appropriate, or only with dress shoes?

Thanks.

I always wear flashes with my socks (Since they arrived, anyway), and normally only wear plain shoes (funny story on that. They're definitely casual, but I think the designer was inspired by Ghillie Brogues. They have a tongue and normal laces, but they have a wing-tip-esqe toe and similar shape. I like them.)
Which of my two pairs of flashes I wear will depend on which pair of socks I'm wearing. I wear red flashes with my black socks, and black watch flashes with lighter coloured socks. Or, I always try to contrast the sock colour and flash colour.

Just my few, rambling cents.

[Sammac]

I generally wear solid black golf shoes with the spikes removed, they are comfortable, made for walking and waterproof as well.