Black Tie Event - Shoe Advice Needed

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

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.)