Ghillie brogues, yes or no?

[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.