footwear for a ghillie/ jacobean shirt

[Tobus]

As you said the "ghillie shirt" screams "hire shop newbie" In your opinion because there are some people (myself included) that like them. In my not so humble opinion they look better than T Shirts when wearing the kilt casually and do not scream hire shop newbie at all.

Polarised subject indeed.

They may not scream hire shop newbie, but they do scream costumey, ala Brigadoon. That's what the so-called ghillie shirts were invented for: costume. Sorry. I do realise that many people like the look, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But the reason folks like TheOfficialBren think of ghillie shirts as hire shop newbie items is because the biggest market seems to be people who buy them thinking they're authentic/historic style shirts, when they are not. They almost come across as a lampoon of Highland attire, especially when worn at authentic Highland events as if they are traditional. Nine times out of ten (in my experience, anyway) these ghillie shirts are accompanied by plastic swords and floppy tartan hats.

So with that in mind, back to the original question from the OP:

Now I know that opinions about ghillie shirts can be quite polarised here but setting that aside, I have natural, bottle, navy, slate blue and black examples should I wish to wear it more casually.

I am interested to hear what people have to offer about footwear. I do have standard type brogues in black and a nice contemporary chisel toe brown. What other options are there?

Since ghillie shirts are not in any way considered authentic or traditional Highland style shirts, there's no reason to worry about footwear meeting that category either. Wear what's comfortable and what looks good to you. I would agree that a comfortable pair of boots are great for casual kilted wear. Although, if wearing kilt hose with it, the aesthetic seems to work better with ankle boots rather than taller ones.

[Highlander31]

........I believe that the prevailing viewpoint currently is to think of your kilt like this:
"How would I wear this [insert garment or accessory here] whilest trousered?"........

Personally, I never buy an article of clothing (kilt jacket aside when I have the need of one) that cannot also be worn trousered as well as kilted.

Just an opinion.

Sound advice.
Allows for more options with less clothing, but more importantly;
it helps keep the wallet fat,.....and the cleaning bill small.

[Carlo]

Sound advice.
Allows for more options with less clothing, but more importantly;
it helps keep the wallet fat,.....and the cleaning bill small.

I don't find another use for kilt-hose. You are one ahead there.

[Jock Scot]

I don't find another use for kilt-hose. You are one ahead there.

Some Scots, including me, use the same hose, same shirts, same ties, same brogues, same pullovers, even the same bonnet on occasion, with our shooting,fishing and general non kilt attire quite happilly.

[Highlander31]

I don't find another use for kilt-hose. You are one ahead there.

Unfortunately, kilt jackets, waistcoats, and hose are pretty much specialty items. Though I did wear a pair of kilt hose under my Levi's once, while walking on our fogged in beach. They did keep the calves warm, but the bulk under the Levi's (vs hunting socks) was not worth the extra bit of added warmth.

Some Scots, including me, use the same hose, same shirts, same ties, same brogues, same pullovers, even the same bonnet on occasion, with our shooting,fishing and general non kilt attire quite happilly.

For me, hunting, shooting, and fishing attire is usually Levi's, with a weather appropriate shirt, jacket, and boots.

[rmccool]

One parting penny for your thoughts:
Personally, I never buy an article of clothing (kilt jacket aside when I have the need of one) that cannot also be worn trousered as well as kilted.

Bren, either your collection of Highland accessories isn't very large or you're a far braver man than I. Of course, I suppose that a full mask sporran with trousers would definitely make a fashion statement.

Tim P, it really depends upon what you like and feel comfortable with. I own a (as in, "one") ghillie shirt, and it works as well for jeans as for a kilt. I find it to be perfectly reasonable for a very casual occasion (i.e., one where a T-shirt or equivalent would be suitable). I'm not a fan of sneakers, cross trainers and the like, so my footwear for such occasions generally ranges from casual leather shoes to hiking or tactical boots.

[TheOfficialBren]

Tobus, spot-on, sir. Exactly what I meant.

BCAC, no offence was intended, my friend.

Jock, I, too, wear my hose with trousers on extra-chilly occasions when trousered, as do I also wear my bonnet whilest trousered. Practicality.

Rmccool, pretty much the basics to suit most occasions, you know? I'm a less-is-more kind of guy. Understatement rather than overstatement.

[Sir Didymous]

I have considered a ghillie shirt or two for casual wear. They look like their cut would be about the same as some of the renfair accurate historical shirts that I own. Those are quite comfy, if that's your thing. Anyhow, when going casual I normally wear a pair of loafers. That being said; I have also seen work boots with scruntched down socks worn with ghillies. It seems to look okay, but it's not my style (which if you ask around is eccentric at best).

[Aussie_Don]

IMHO, the "ghillie shirt" screams "hire shop newbie" (as do ghillie brogues on informal occasions and although I never wear them they have their place).

Agreed about a jumper and boots.

I believe that the prevailing viewpoint currently is to think of your kilt like this:
"How would I wear this [insert garment or accessory here] whilest trousered?"

With that in mind, where do ghillies and these so-called "kilt shirts" or "ghillie shirts" fit into your wardrobe?

One parting penny for your thoughts:
Personally, I never buy an article of clothing (kilt jacket aside when I have the need of one) that cannot also be worn trousered as well as kilted.

Just an opinion.

We can agree to disagree about the newbie comment...

I have a couple of ghillie shirts and wear them with both kilts and jeans on occasion.

Admittedly, I'm often wearing them while performing folk music and I'm trying for
an "archaic" look. But I find them comfortable.

Then again, I also wear skivvies with a tweed jacket with a kilt and I recently
bought one of the "We kilt the last one that called it a skirt" T shirts, so I'm an
equal opportunity type from the waist up.

To answer the original question....

I had initially formed the mistaken impression that "one wore ghillie brogues with
a kilt". This forum has disabused me of the notion. I now generally wear either a
pair of black walking shoes (for casual) or black wing-tip brogues for semi-dress and
reserve the Ghillies for when I pull out the PC. I don't own a pair of Docs, or I might
wear them casually. And I'm not too sure about the look of a "proper" hiking boot
anywhere but on a trail with a kilt, though I have worn hiking boots with jeans in
my misspent youth.

-Don