Quote Originally Posted by The F-H.C.A.G.
I don't like the gillie brogues, because they seem to be costumy. By this, I mean they have parts to them that are just for show and serve no real purpose (the lacings).
I have found the continued reference to not liking ghillie brogues because they're too "costumy," or too "costume like," to be interesting. It's okay to wear a kilt in America, thousands of miles away from Scotland, and that's not costumy; however, you put a few extra laces on a shoe, and that crosses some mythical line into costume? I must confess, I really don't get that. For example, what, pray tell, is the real purpose of tartan in a society that doesn't know the difference between a MacDonald or a Campbell, a Douglas or a Graham? There isn't a "purpose," other than the fact that we like the various tartans because they're colorful, they're traditional, they help bring a sense of belonging to a clan, or they are reminders of a district we love; however, to people who don't know about the kilt, it's "costumy." I could say the same thing about clan badges, kilt jackets, or anything else one might associate with traditional Scottish attire.

BTW, I do respect those who don't like them as a matter of style or taste and give their honest reasons, even if I don't agree. I understand that, as there are some modern things in the kilt world that I detest, but certainly, ghillie brogues are quite traditional and proper to wear with the kilt. If you don't like them, fine, but a costume? No.