Ghillie brogues, yes or no?

**Bugbear** · 24th September 08, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

... just a regular everyday business shoe for casual or semi dress wear.

That was the term I was trying to think of, McMurdo, "business shoes." Like what would be worn with a business suit which is basically what that outfit is.

I would go for a black business shoe for the non-black tie eveningwear... semi dressy I guess...

**###KILTEDKIWI###** · 24th September 08, 07:17 PM

Another vote, i just like em...

**ThistleDown** · 24th September 08, 07:29 PM

I like them! They are extremely comfortable, very light and, if the laces are tied properly, look good. For me they work well with a business suit and are appropriate to evening wear. I find buckled shoes to be "costumy". That's just me, mind you, and I'm sure okay with others wearing them.

**Fiddler Doyle** · 24th September 08, 07:46 PM

Dislike em. Too costume like. Ghillie Brogues were children's shoes - never understood why the pipe bands wear them. I wear shoes to match what is on top... shiny dress (even wingtips) with formal... flip flops with tshirt.

**DTrain** · 24th September 08, 07:53 PM

Personally, I like them. I think they help "dress up" the formal kilt outfit but can "overdress" a daywear outfit. Kind of like a pocket square, or the PC in the right setting. Casual with ghillies? NO.
Formal with ghilles? Yes. But that doesn't mean that formal MUST include ghillies.

I like them. Just my two cents.

**Bob C** · 24th September 08, 08:03 PM

I like them with the Prince Charlie suit. They're obviously not for casual wear. Those buckle brogues look like the shoes little girls wore when I was in elementary school in the '60s.

**Scotus** · 25th September 08, 03:21 AM

Originally Posted by Fiddler Doyle

Too costume like. Ghillie Brogues were children's shoes

I think this is the type of response I was talking about in regard to unmeasured responses to this poll. To say you don't like them and give reasons is one thing, to insult the wearing of them by calling them "costume like" steps over a line, I believe. The reason I say this is because they are so traditional, they are a part of MODERN Scottish attire, and they are worn at many functions. There is nothing "costume like" about them.

Children's shoes? Where does that come from?

**Fiddler Doyle** · 27th September 08, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by Scotus

I think this is the type of response I was talking about in regard to unmeasured responses to this poll. To say you don't like them and give reasons is one thing, to insult the wearing of them by calling them "costume like" steps over a line, I believe. The reason I say this is because they are so traditional, they are a part of MODERN Scottish attire, and they are worn at many functions. There is nothing "costume like" about them.

Children's shoes? Where does that come from?

First - my opinion expressed was not intended as an insult to the MANY wearers of ghillie brogues - so please accept my apologies. I do not like them as I question their authenticity in a historical context - it is, again my observation, most common to see persons kilted wearing the footwear of the period and the occasion. Yes there are occasions when Scots wore ghillie brogues - possibly because it was what they could afford and not what they would choose. Driving that to the modern context and saying that it is authentic Scot wear, seems more of marketing than history. Yes, Ghillie Brogues are part of "modern attire" but I think it is a stretch to say they are part of tradition. In fact, I can't say I have ever seen historical prints with Scots wearing wingtips, and my birkenstocks are probably closer to the original ghillie brogues than the expensive pair of "scottish" wingtip ghillie brogues in my closet.

I wear a kilt often - and am occasionally chided about my "costume" in this context my kilt. I am prepared to defend kilt wearing, less so the wearing of ghillie brogues.

Now, someone elses's opinion -

"A Bit of Background on Ghillie Brogues.

Originally, gillie brogues were simply a flat piece of leather with holes poked along the edges then laced at the top of the foot. Obviously not footwear for royalty! In fact, the word ghillie in Gaelic can be paraphrased as "young boy." (Brogue is translated "shoe.") In other words, if someone tells you that they are wearing "ghillies" on their feet, you are entitled to laugh! Nonetheless, it's common for pipers to refer to these special shoes as "ghillies" as a shortened term."

Source: http://www.bagpipejourney.com/articl..._brogues.shtml

In conclusion, apologies if I have offended anyone, and Scotus, thanks for reading my post and giving me the opportunity to think through my position a little more thoroughly.

**bowser** · 25th September 08, 03:22 AM

Not sure if I like them or not, but I cant agree with the not for casual wear comments, I try and go to a lot of rugby matches at Twickenham (for those the other side of the pond its the English national rugby stadium) and kilts are seen more and more, it has to be said that at least %50 will be wearing gillie brogues with kilt and rugby shirt

**Scotus** · 25th September 08, 04:36 AM

Originally Posted by bowser

...kilts are seen more and more, it has to be said that at least %50 will be wearing gillie brogues with kilt and rugby shirt

Thanks for that post, bowser. It illustrates the point that ghille brogues are a part of modern Scottish attire and are neither costume-like, only for pipers, nor just for children.