Advice on shoes...

**Jack Daw** · 3rd February 11, 11:26 AM

For solo performances, if I'm wearing spats, I'll wear oxfords or parade shoes. I wear the ghillie brogues sometimes for competitions and always for dressier occasions like a wedding or funeral. Some of the adjudicators can be fickle about "Highland attire", so I always wear a glengarry bonnet, but if I'm "marching" on dirt or mud even, I will wear a cheaper pair of oxfords. Then, after comps, I change into hiking boots.

(For regular daywear, I usually don't wear the ghillie brogues.)

**Dall_Piobaire** · 3rd February 11, 12:42 PM

I am just torn on the subject is why I ask. It's time to replace what i have, and the ones i had are no longer made apparantly. So, i am trying to decide between ghillies and and good pair of Oxford brogues. If a judge is gonna knock me for what I have on my feet, than I REALLY don't give two cents for whats on the score sheet. As far as the uneducated masses, well, I don't think they even notice.

**Jack Daw** · 3rd February 11, 01:00 PM

You do NOT have to wear ghillie brogues for competition. Just don't wear hiking boots, ren fest shoes, or sneakers/trainers. Before my first competition years ago, I asked a friend who is also an adjudicator in Pennsylvania about particulars.

**Dall_Piobaire** · 3rd February 11, 02:10 PM

See here's the thing, I found a sharp pair of buckled loafers, very much like the ones Richard talks about, with buckle they run about 180. There is no way my broke butt can afford good Oxfords, if I get another pair of ghillies, and that is if I can find a good pair, that will be it for me, I won't be able to swing the others. I really only wear my kit for piping or family gatherings and such....so....thoughts

thanks for the input Steve, don't mean to be a pain in the butt.

**rtc872** · 4th February 11, 07:46 PM

Shoes really aren't specified in the Australian rules. They just demand hose, neck-tie. I think it has less to do with highland attire and more with looking respectable.

**Destin_scot** · 4th February 11, 08:25 PM

I have to agree with artificer on where you are looking for shoes. I pretty much have to buy my shoes online as I have a difficult time finding correct sizes and there are almost zero local stores that carry my sizes. That said, if you are lucky and can find an online shoe source that DOES have shoes that are the right size, (stick with them, and feel free to ask them if all the styles of shoes you are interested in are similar in sizing, (nothing worse that being miserable because your shoes don't quite fit right), most reputable ones will have a reasonable money back/exchange policy). Leather soled shoes are, as artificer said, usually better, since they can be easily resoled, if needed; are better for dancing with the ladies, will usually outlast rubber soled shoes, and will look better.

Just my humble opinion.....

**Dall_Piobaire** · 4th February 11, 08:34 PM

it's really not so much about the comps, as trying to do as much with as little as i can. If a good, wearable pair of ghillies is gonna run me 140, then i might as well get the buckled shoes. They will work for all purposes, and get me outsidd the cookie cutter look.

**rtc872** · 4th February 11, 08:48 PM

Personally I would not buy ghillies. I can't see wearing a good quality shoe as being a problem. I wore plain black derbys for years when I first started. I only started wearing ghillies when the band changed to them.

**Dall_Piobaire** · 5th February 11, 10:29 AM

Thanks rtc, appreciate the input.

**rtc872** · 5th February 11, 10:37 AM

Not a prob. Too many people get caught up in wearing the stereotypical garb because they want to embrace the culture. That doesn't mean it is the standard at all. Enjoy the adventure that is dressing with "permanent style", to steal the title of a favourite blog, as style has more to do with understanding what looks good rather than what is fashionable.

Cheers