Buckle Shoes

**Bugbear** · 11th July 09, 05:07 PM

I saw that; thanks.

Is there anything wrong with the larger buckles being placed up on the instep of the shoe, instead of at the toe?

**Dall_Piobaire** · 11th July 09, 05:13 PM

I have seen many sketches and paintings, I could be mistaken but the majority I have seen circa eighteenth century had the buckles on the instep. I think it changed in the mid 19th century!

**puffer** · 12th July 09, 12:30 PM

Ted, Here is my Humble opinion.

For " modern formal" wear I personally wear " bucked" shoes ONLY with one particular outfit & to the few "occasions" that it applies. ( otherwise I wear a pair of "dress" shoes that were the same I wore with a "Tux")

Sadly to say, I can not afford the "buckle" shoes I would like to own. ( a custom pair from a friend (a boot maker & $400.00) In lieu of these I wear this
pair from Fugawee Foot wear - http://www.fugawee.com/men%27s%20colonial.htm
IMHO the best of the BEST of the "production" shoes & boots out there.

Note, Changing "buckles" will "change look. Also NOTE get them "professionally spit shined" if you wear them for "modern dress"

Here is a pic of me wearing them for period dress"

Puffer

**Bugbear** · 12th July 09, 12:45 PM

Thanks, Puffer; I have looked at that site.

As it is now, I would just get the evening pumps, I posted links back there, and either leave the bow, or have the bow replaced with a buckle.

I'm not exactly sure where the bow is located on evening pumps, but...

The rest of the outfit would be a black formal, evening argyle and jabot. I don't have a kilt in my tartan yet, but I hope to have tartan hose to go with it at some point.

I guess I would also have a black silk bow tie, but I would also need a three button waistcoat, possiblly in my tartan, or a low cut waist cover of one kind or another.

So, having to worry about all that, it might be a little less stressful to get the pumps. I don't mind the bow.

**Dall_Piobaire** · 12th July 09, 01:24 PM

Puffer.

I like those shoes, I think they look great, and you look good in em! You gotta hate it when those accessories eat yo alive price wise. It's so hard to justify 400 dollar shoes!

I had a pair of reproduction budkled shoes when I did reenacting,, I donated them back to the group I was with...I could kick myslef for that now!

Are those the Glenfinnans?

**puffer** · 12th July 09, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by Dall_Piobaire

Puffer.

Are those the Glenfinnans?

No Sir, they are from Fugawee

Also see my comment on "spit shining". These are not as smooth.

Puffer

**Bugbear** · 12th July 09, 07:06 PM

* Oh, never mind. *

**BoldHighlander** · 17th July 09, 09:01 PM

Ted --
coming late to the discussion, but on 18th century reproduction shoes, if you want a high gloss polish then be sure to get the "smooth side out" rather than "rough side out" shoes. The rough side out are great for wearing out in the field, but will be bear to get any kind of shine out them (as per Puffer's comments).

Also, if you decide on 18th century repro's then be sure they don't have heel rims, unless you want to clump around indoors like a clysdale horse

Here's some links for sellers, I left out Robert Land, his shoes are amongst the best, but they all come with the afore mentioned heel rims attached! Also I'm including a link to nifty little tutorial video from Townsend's on correctly installing 18th century style shoe buckles. Good hunting!

Fugawee

G, Gedney Godwin

Jas. Townsend

Buckle tutorial video

**Bugbear** · 18th July 09, 01:47 PM

Thanks, BoldHighlander.

Probably what I will do is get a pair of evening pumps, to begin, and just leave the bow on. That should look fine, then later on I will consider having buckles put on to replace the bow.