my new highland shoes

**DWFII** · 28th April 08, 02:07 PM

Here's a pair of neo-Georgian or neo-Jacobite style shoes I just finished...in time for my daughter's wedding this weekend (phew!!).

They are meant to evoke (not mimic) the period between the mid-18th and early 19th century.

I make shoes like this....made to measure, fully lined and constructed with the finest materials I can get my hands on and the best techniques I know. These are modern, top shelf shoes but proportioned pretty much like the historic shoes. The buckle is full functional and a reproduction of authentic period buckles.

I was glad to finish them and got lucky as intuition told me to make a little allowance for kilt socks (I didn't have any when I started the shoes). My new Gaelic Themes fit fine in the shoe.

**McMurdo** · 28th April 08, 02:12 PM

Those are incredible, I'm sure you will get lots of wear from them, if they were mine I would look for places to wear them.

**Cynthia** · 28th April 08, 02:13 PM

They're very handsome! Great job

**Arizona Scot** · 28th April 08, 02:26 PM

Wow those are amazing the talent here never ceases to astound me.

**Hugh** · 28th April 08, 02:39 PM

Those are without a doubt the most awesome shoes I've seen. Way to go. I bought a pair of shoes at Williamsburg - period style, but i believe made in Mexico - but cannot wear them with thick socks. You were very smart to make allowances.

**JS Sanders** · 28th April 08, 02:45 PM

Preferable & more practical than Mary Jane's. Excellent craftmanship.

I wear something similar with formalwear.... reproduction 18th century shoes with white bronze latchet buckles, well polished.

But mine ain't a patch to these.

Slainte,
steve

**Robertson** · 28th April 08, 02:50 PM

I Love Them !!! I have a pair of strait last shoes for period. But I would love a pair like this!

**Arlen** · 28th April 08, 03:02 PM

Those are very, very nice.
I wore something similar to my wedding, but the buckle was smaller and on the side.

I would buy a pair of these if I only had the cash.

**DWFII** · 28th April 08, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by Hugh

I bought a pair of shoes at Williamsburg - period style, but i believe made in Mexico

One of my best friends is the head shoemaker at Colonial Williamsburg, and I believe a member here (least-wise he recommended this forum to me). I have to admit to taking his wise counsel and using the proportions that he recommended.

That said, these are made on very rare and very desirable "West End" lasts--West End being the high dollar, bespoke area of London..St. James Street, etc. .

Most of the techniques I used are the same as have been used in West End shops like Lobbs since time out of mind. When done there is no paper, no plastic and no nails used in the construction of these shoes. No non-bespoke shoe that I know of can make a similar claim.

Thanks to all for the kind words.