I think the fact that formal shoes are light and leather soled is because they were (and are) used for dancing has been overshadowed by the discussion of whether or not they're necessary for dancing. I'm not much of a dancer, so I can't comment on the necessity of such shoes, but I also think that the two sides of the discussion have very different dances in mind.

Whether or not they're necessary doesn't change the fact that anything else would not be traditional. It doesn't matter if you're dancing, standing in a corner, or bowling (actually, leather-soled shoes really are necessary for that last one ), if the event is formal, thin soles are what is generally worn.

I suppose it's a lot like the sgian dubh - it may have been used for far more practical things in the past, but it is now traditional to wear one even if it is purely decorative. You may not use your sgian for much, and you may not dance in your formal shoes, but both are important and traditional parts of Highland dress.

Quote Originally Posted by MacLowlife View Post
And the Whisky Tango Foxtrot