Normal or formal?

[Lyle1]

With a tux, I usually wear a pair of soft leather slip on evening shoes that have a split leather sole for dancing. I think I could wear them with a kilt; they are plain enough that I could even attach clip on buckles. I also have a pair of patent leather slip ons that my wife hates, so I don't wear them much. As to wearing patent leather shoes with a kilt, I wonder if the old catholic school admonition against girls wearing patent leather shoes applies? They always said not to... "reflections you know!" And that's the truth!!!

[Bugbear]

I don't know, MacLowlife, I've thought about it for a while now. If there is to be buckles on the shoes, I would prefer to wear the style that have a single large buckle up at the instep rather than the toe.

I think these are the shoes that are like that, Men's Shoes CS-925 at Jas. Townsend and Son, Inc.
They also have buckles there.

Otherwise, I would just stick with the evening pumps with the bow.
Carltons Rehoboth Beach - Sandro Moscoloni Black Patent Leather Formal Slip-On Pump Shoes - Royal MF01
Think those were one of the shoes I had been considering.

I also wouldn't have a problem with anyone else's personal choice.

Not that I really know anything...

[MacLowlife]

Thanks for the links, MacBug. I think Mr. Townsend's shoes are, INTERESTING, but I have found over the years that it is handy to have a left shoe and a right one. HOW else do we navigate the hokey pokey?

They do offer an interesting option of adjustment at the instep, which appeals to me. My feet aren't particularly wide or narrow, but I do have a high instep, which makes some of the more elegant-looking shoes impossible for me. Like a big stomach, I usually find it easier just to go under the pronounced bump than try to fit over it. With the infinite adjustability of the buckles without holes, those 18th century shoes ought to be able to fit just right.

I have recently retrofitted an off-price sporran with some very nice leopard-stenciled rabbit fur. I think I might possibly need these shoes to go with it:


http://www.shiptonandheneage.co.uk/l...er-2421-0.html



If we ever have the Longhuntr Ball, we may have to allow an intermission for changes of wardrobe- just so that I can wear all of my finery in the same evening.

[Bugbear]

Don't forget the Captin Ahab doublet.

Anyway, that's the way I would prefer the buckles on my evening shoes, so what can I do...

[longhuntr74]

If we ever have the Longhuntr Ball, we may have to allow an intermission for changes of wardrobe- just so that I can wear all of my finery in the same evening.

Rolling on the floor over this!! To refute your comment about shoes that are made for right and left feet....they do in fact make them. Check out the "Franklin" on this site: Fugawee Colonial Shoes As the site recommends, a Foppish Dandy such as yourself should paint your heels red! I have a pair similar to this...but I think I'd need to buy fancier buckles for them if worn as formal wear. Perhaps the Thistle Great Scot buckle seen here: Buckles Page

What thinkest thou gentlemen?

[Bugbear]

Hmmmm, I would rather have the rounder toe, but I wonder how shiney these historical shoes are. Or is it that one has to put the shiney finnish on the shoes?

[longhuntr74]

I'm not sure if I have the Franklin or the Concord model of these...I think they are the Franklins. Whichever model they are, the leather is very soft and thin. I haven't yet tried to, but I'm fairly certain that I could get them to shine to a high gloss with my tried and true combination of kiwi parade gloss, water, rubbing alcohol, and a top coat of lincoln stain wax.

Disclaimer...if you've never used rubbing alcohol in your shoe shining...don't try it solely on my advice!! I assume no liability. It's a great way to make a mirror shine...but it's also the fastest way to totally destroy a shine if you don't know what you're doing!!!

[Bugbear]

Oh, I have no idea what I'm doing... I have to take my shoes to a shoe shining shop; it's just not possible.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

Just a note of caution, some of the Fugawee shoe models are available with either rough-side out or smooth-side out for the leather when ordering.

[Bugbear]

I noticed that.

Actually some of the traditionalists have approved the Jas Townsend shoes as acceptable formal shoes, so I would feel safer with those.

On the other hand, the evening pumps sound fine, and would be a safe thing to get.

Not that it really matters much.

Perhaps I could take up waring eighteenth century clothing, or some kind of modernized version of it...