[artificer]

Hi Gents,
I've a black tie event to attend in a few months, and I am in need of help.

My beloved old pair of full brogues just gave up the ghost after our state Highland Games this past weekend. They were too old and hadn't been worn much recently, and when they hit the boggy field, the water eventually did it's work. The uppers on both shoes cracked through in multiple places when they dried out.

So... here I sit. I know that traditionally Highland style is somewhat eclectic. I don't want to seem silly or out of place, though.

Do you think a shoe similar to the below would be suitable?

Or is it too close to a buckle brogue without being on target?

Mine are very similar, but with a basic buckle rather than the one shown, and without the lines scribed on the toe.

My other option would be to go buy a new pair of brogues and get them broken in before Nov. (it's a ball, and I'm NOT dancing in stiff new shoes).

The rest of my outfit as planned is:
Black Argyll and (hopefully) 3 button waistcoat
Plain front tux shirt and studs
Hand tied black bow tie (silk)
kilt
Most likely a skunk sporran - either full mask or as my #11 (seen elsewhere).

I'm also stuck on hose. I'd like diced hose, but I'd really prefer to wait on those until I get my KILT made, which won't happen until next calendar year.

As of right now I was planning on dark green hose with red flashes.

Any thoughts? Are the shoes decent or should I start breaking in a new pair of brogues?

[BobsYourUncle]

I think your shoes are fine.

The most versatile choice is to stick with brogues, not ghillie's, but black brogues, or wingtips without the extra long laces. Black brogues are fine for black tie, and can be worn at all levels of formality.

However, inasmuch as you are interested in wearing diced hose, I have a different suggestion.

Hamish first recommended the Glennfinnan Shoe by MacKenzie Frain. It is a bench made Scottish buckle shoe that is elegantly formal, yet a little less gaudy [IMHO] than the Regimental style of buckle shoe.







They are not inexpensive, but not crazy either, and they are a great option for kilted formal wear. Just an idea...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Originally Posted by artificer

Your best bet, and it certainly isn't these shoes for a whole variety of reasons--some of which you have touched upon, would be a pair of plain black oxfords with a toe cap, not brogues. Here's why.

The oxfords will break in with only a few hours wear, so they will be comfortable. Because they are a "lighter" shoe (brogues weigh a ton) they will be easier to dance in (brogues could make Fred Astaire look clumsy). Finally, and this is of paramount importance, the oxfords will take a shine like nobody's business. With a bit of effort they will look like they are carved out of obsidian; the same can't be said of brogues.

By all means if you feel the need to buy a pair of brogues, get them. But remember this: Brogues are a heavy shoe that are intended to be worn out of doors, not to an evening event, and certainly not with formal attire.

(I hate to disagree with Bob's Your Uncle, but brogues really have no place in a formal wardrobe, kilted or otherwise. They would look dreadful with a tuxedo or white tie and tails, and that carries over to Highland attire as well. Ghillie brogues, which are worn with Highland evening attire, barely make the grade. Proper evening shoes should be light weight, highly polished, and with simple laces-- or, as shown in BYUs post, have proper buckles at the instep (not the side). Sorry to disagree, but there's right, and then there's the other option.)

[auld argonian]

Not to veer dangerously off topic but are you sure about the three button waistcoat with the Argyle? It seems like the five button is the preferred waistcoat with that and the three button goes with the Prince Charlie...

...I do like the original shoes, though...the squared off toes on the current crop of men's footwear looks weird to me...

Best

AA

[artificer]

Originally Posted by auld argonian

Not to veer dangerously off topic but are you sure about the three button waistcoat with the Argyle? It seems like the five button is the preferred waistcoat with that and the three button goes with the Prince Charlie...

...I do like the original shoes, though...the squared off toes on the current crop of men's footwear looks weird to me...

Best

AA

In another thread on a black tie topic, the advice was for the three button waistcoat. It was stated that a 5 button was for day wear, 3 for evening.

I tend to agree that the higher cut works better with the Argyll, but thought to follow advice of the wiser.

BTW: I love square cut toed shoes. When you've got duck feet like me, you need all the room you can get.

I LOVE wearing these shoes, but fear they aren't formal enough, even though I can spit polish them into blinding brightness

[Lyle1]

I personally don't find anything objectionable about the shoes with the buckle on the side. I really like the Glennfinnan Shoe by MacKenzie Frain, and I am quite tempted to place an order for myself. I wonder if the buckle is removable. I don't like the squared toe shoes that you showed, primarily because the soles thicker than I like (again a personal issue). I agree that a cap toe oxford would work better than an oxford for black tie, but my personal preference for black tie would be for a shoe that does not lace.

I think we all have preferences, some based on personal comfort, some based on what is traditional for us, but any well polished, black dress shoe will work fine. If you are in the midst of a bunch of people who are obsessed with your shoes, you are with the wrong group of people, anyway!

[BobsYourUncle]

Originally Posted by Lyle1

I personally don't find anything objectionable about the shoes with the buckle on the side. I really like the Glennfinnan Shoe by MacKenzie Frain, and I am quite tempted to place an order for myself. I wonder if the buckle is removable. I don't like the squared toe shoes that you showed, primarily because the soles thicker than I like (again a personal issue). I agree that a cap toe oxford would work better than an oxford for black tie, but my personal preference for black tie would be for a shoe that does not lace.

I think we all have preferences, some based on personal comfort, some based on what is traditional for us, but any well polished, black dress shoe will work fine. If you are in the midst of a bunch of people who are obsessed with your shoes, you are with the wrong group of people, anyway!

The buckle on the Glennfinnan Shoe is removable. I can recommend the shoe without reservation. One of the best kilt-related purchases I have ever made.

[Cygnus]

Originally Posted by Lyle1

...
If you are in the midst of a bunch of people who are obsessed with your shoes, you are with the wrong group of people, anyway!

Or you're with a group of people who know a lot about shoes and from whom you could learn a great deal!

[MacLowlife]

I vote for evening pumps / slippers, especially if you plan on dancing. You didn't mention budget, but you don't have to spend a lot to get a pair of nice velvet or black suede plain slip-ons. Patent or calfskin pumps look good with a kilt, IMHO, too. I do agree with MoR: shine is important and easy enough to do if you are wearing smooth leather shoes. It shows you care.

[artificer]

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

I vote for evening pumps / slippers, especially if you plan on dancing. You didn't mention budget, but you don't have to spend a lot to get a pair of nice velvet or black suede plain slip-ons. Patent or calfskin pumps look good with a kilt, IMHO, too. I do agree with MoR: shine is important and easy enough to do if you are wearing smooth leather shoes. It shows you care.

I cannot do slip-ons. One problem I have (and it's probably mental) is that I'm not a delicate "Fred Astaire" type. I'm a very dense 6', 209lbs and square in proportion. With shoes that are too slight of build I feel like I'm wearing bedroom slippers.

Even Oxfords, with their thinner soles, feel a bit feminine to me when I wear them. I'm not trying to be obstructive or dismissive. But when you're built like a lump of wood, delicate footwear can make you feel like a ballerina.

It's probably too long a time spent wearing boots.

I may go for the Glennfinnan Shoe. It's probably a single use shoe, as I can't see wearing it with a suit, but it might be the best shoe for the job.

BTW: back to AA's post on the waistcoat, is a 3 button the proper one to wear with an Argyll for an evening black tie event?