Victorian ankle ghillies??

[OC Richard]

One of the delights of The Highlanders Of Scotland portraits (1870s) is the amazing variety of footwear seen, such a contrast with today.

But here's something I can't remember ever seeing, certainly not in THOS, and that is ankle-high ghillies:



Has anyone seen such?

[Tobus]

Wow, good catch! It took me a solid 5 minutes of staring at the photo to figure out what you meant. At first glance, they just look like regular buckle brogues. I really had to squint to see the leather tabs up above and behind the ankle (coming up to short-boot height) and the laces attached to them. I've never seen anything like it, aside from the corny "ghillie boots" sold by Ren-faire outfits as an attempt to make a Scottish ghillie brogue into a Ren-faire boot.

But this photo of yours seems to suggest that there was a Victorian equivalent to the ankle boots that were common back then. Where did this photo come from?

[Reiver]

Good eye there....if the laces were not a lighter color I doubt it would be seen at all.

[sydnie7]

From the trappings, I'm guessing this is a "propped" studio shot?

[OC Richard]

Here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/19th-Century...item5b112746b0

[Roderick Powell]

I would say Kilt Hem is too low. Kilt hose tops are not level, and printed studio back drop.
Perhaps Amateur Dramatics Costume Shot......... Roderick

[Tarheel]

That is an interesting shoe for sure. I expect the heel being so tall would accommodate paved streets instead of barn yards unless the lacing from the back was meant to counteract getting stuck in the mire. The thickness of the soles could provide long time wear. Tis a bit dressy for my tastes and budget as I am a terror on footwear.