Ghillie brogues, yes or no?

[Bob C]

I like them with the Prince Charlie suit. They're obviously not for casual wear. Those buckle brogues look like the shoes little girls wore when I was in elementary school in the '60s.

[Scotus]

Too costume like. Ghillie Brogues were children's shoes

I think this is the type of response I was talking about in regard to unmeasured responses to this poll. To say you don't like them and give reasons is one thing, to insult the wearing of them by calling them "costume like" steps over a line, I believe. The reason I say this is because they are so traditional, they are a part of MODERN Scottish attire, and they are worn at many functions. There is nothing "costume like" about them.

Children's shoes? Where does that come from?

[Fiddler Doyle]

I think this is the type of response I was talking about in regard to unmeasured responses to this poll. To say you don't like them and give reasons is one thing, to insult the wearing of them by calling them "costume like" steps over a line, I believe. The reason I say this is because they are so traditional, they are a part of MODERN Scottish attire, and they are worn at many functions. There is nothing "costume like" about them.

Children's shoes? Where does that come from?

First - my opinion expressed was not intended as an insult to the MANY wearers of ghillie brogues - so please accept my apologies. I do not like them as I question their authenticity in a historical context - it is, again my observation, most common to see persons kilted wearing the footwear of the period and the occasion. Yes there are occasions when Scots wore ghillie brogues - possibly because it was what they could afford and not what they would choose. Driving that to the modern context and saying that it is authentic Scot wear, seems more of marketing than history. Yes, Ghillie Brogues are part of "modern attire" but I think it is a stretch to say they are part of tradition. In fact, I can't say I have ever seen historical prints with Scots wearing wingtips, and my birkenstocks are probably closer to the original ghillie brogues than the expensive pair of "scottish" wingtip ghillie brogues in my closet.

I wear a kilt often - and am occasionally chided about my "costume" in this context my kilt. I am prepared to defend kilt wearing, less so the wearing of ghillie brogues.

Now, someone elses's opinion -

"A Bit of Background on Ghillie Brogues.

Originally, gillie brogues were simply a flat piece of leather with holes poked along the edges then laced at the top of the foot. Obviously not footwear for royalty! In fact, the word ghillie in Gaelic can be paraphrased as "young boy." (Brogue is translated "shoe.") In other words, if someone tells you that they are wearing "ghillies" on their feet, you are entitled to laugh! Nonetheless, it's common for pipers to refer to these special shoes as "ghillies" as a shortened term."

Source: http://www.bagpipejourney.com/articl..._brogues.shtml

In conclusion, apologies if I have offended anyone, and Scotus, thanks for reading my post and giving me the opportunity to think through my position a little more thoroughly.

[bowser]

Not sure if I like them or not, but I cant agree with the not for casual wear comments, I try and go to a lot of rugby matches at Twickenham (for those the other side of the pond its the English national rugby stadium) and kilts are seen more and more, it has to be said that at least %50 will be wearing gillie brogues with kilt and rugby shirt

[Scotus]

...kilts are seen more and more, it has to be said that at least %50 will be wearing gillie brogues with kilt and rugby shirt

Thanks for that post, bowser. It illustrates the point that ghille brogues are a part of modern Scottish attire and are neither costume-like, only for pipers, nor just for children.

[McMurdo]

Not sure if I like them or not, but I cant agree with the not for casual wear comments, I try and go to a lot of rugby matches at Twickenham (for those the other side of the pond its the English national rugby stadium) and kilts are seen more and more, it has to be said that at least %50 will be wearing gillie brogues with kilt and rugby shirt

I would hazard a guess that these same rugby fans would be wearing dress belts or dress sporrans, this does not mean that it is "proper" to wear dress sporrans, belts or ghillie brogues with a rugby shirt. What it means is that most people will think it acceptable as the only sporran or belt these chaps own are the dress ones. As for the Ghillies the reason, I think of the popularity of these has everything to do with the rental industry, so we are at the point where many see these as proper to wear with the kilt.

[bowser]

I would hazard a guess that these same rugby fans would be wearing dress belts or dress sporrans, this does not mean that it is "proper" to wear dress sporrans, belts or ghillie brogues with a rugby shirt. What it means is that most people will think it acceptable as the only sporran or belt these chaps own are the dress ones. As for the Ghillies the reason, I think of the popularity of these has everything to do with the rental industry, so we are at the point where many see these as proper to wear with the kilt.

Not normally, just plain leather sporran, and a plain leather belt, got to say I have quite a few friends who have at least one kilt, almost all only have one belt and one sporran and it fits all uses.
I only have one kilt belt one pewter buckle, ok I have a SK cargo sporran and a leather one but neither are dress (I would post a pic but haven't worked out how yet). I would agree that it is possibly driven by the hire industry, but regardless, it dosent look out of place, and it is something that is being worn in such circumstances.
Not trying to make a judgement as to right or wrong, just stating what is.

[McMurdo]

Not normally, just plain leather sporran, and a plain leather belt, got to say I have quite a few friends who have at least one kilt, almost all only have one belt and one sporran and it fits all uses.
I only have one kilt belt one pewter buckle, ok I have a SK cargo sporran and a leather one but neither are dress (I would post a pic but haven't worked out how yet). I would agree that it is possibly driven by the hire industry, but regardless, it dosent look out of place, and it is something that is being worn in such circumstances.
Not trying to make a judgement as to right or wrong, just stating what is.

Point taken, the Pewter buckle you are talking about is it one like this:

If so this is what I meant as a dress buckle, for casual wear I tend to wear something less formal, my casual belts look like this:

[bowser]

Point taken, the Pewter buckle you are talking about is it one like this:

If so this is what I meant as a dress buckle, for casual wear I tend to wear something less formal, my casual belts look like this:

I havent worked out how to upload photos, but yes it is very similar, but its a celtic knot work design, and the belt is plain leather.
But that said Its very similar to the sort of buckle I would wear with jeans so nothing special.
as and when I work out how to load pictures I will post some

[auld argonian]

I've voted that I don't like them. This whole costume/traditional discussion seems a bit pointless. If they were made in a traditional way they would just be a foot shaped leather bag with rawhide laces and not these evolved wingtip-brogue things with soles and heels. I guess that my personal perspective is that I prefer to look like a kilt wearing guy who's living right now and not trying to look like it's the Nineteenth Century and I'm hangin' with Queen Victoria.

Best

AA