Ghillie brogues, yes or no?

[Bugbear]

I think I would prefer the black, polished "mary janes" with the single funtional buckle and round toe.

I'm not sure how that would look with black hose, but since they would be shined, it would probably be alright. I'm not exactly trying to stick to traditional dress in a kilt, though.

It's not an issue to me if someone prefers to wear the ghillie brogues; they look fine. I don't read anyone saying that someone has to wear them.

[Bugbear]

Well... I don't own a sword.
I feel a little bit the same way. Very glad that people are keeping traditions in Highland dress alive and around, but that's not the direction I'm going. It's a little more like trying to blend in some different fashion ideas with the kilt, but not too far out there. I was inspired by The Wizard's threads on the Freedom Kilts kilt jackets and some other ideas.

This thread has focused me on shoes, so I got out the shoes I bought to dress up my daywear outfit and looked them over. They do have a square toe, but I've seen much squarer. They are brown, four hole lace ups with a heal. Not a real leather sole, but fairly thin. They also have a bit of a shine, and match the color of the casual belt for that outfit. It's a brown corduroy jacket and waistcoat conversion And to dress it down, I have a pair of brown tweed slip on shoes that match a tweed flatcap and go well with the belt. Ehh, minus the waistcoat of course.

Guess those will have to do for my kilt shoes until I put together my eveningwear outfit... Which is why I keep reading this thread.

[Scotus]

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.

[JRB]

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.

Alright, I'll change my opinion of Ghilli brogues from too "costumey" to too Brigadoonish (or Brigadoony, if you will). I feel the same way about jacobite shirts and wearing a pipers dirk or baskethilt. All traditional. All not to my liking.

[Tommy Hunt]

Thanks for the info on the dancin' gillies guys. That's what this little dude is wearing.

[RedLichtie]

I voted "Yes, I like them".

I think that in the correct setting they look great.

[English Bloke]

50/50 again... Ooooooh It's a split decision still....

[fluter]

(I personally think that dress shoes should have leather soles, but, that's not really the point.).

Since many band members will be marching in them, I would encourage them to protect their feet. That is to say, Vibram soles are a good thing!

50/50 again... Ooooooh It's a split decision still....

Isn't it interesting that after 10 days, it's a dead heat again.

[Jack Daw]

It could be worse - they could come in a two-toned version. I hope not to see those.

[Bugbear]

I wonder if there is a special kind of shoe tree that has to be used with ghillie brogues...

I also wonder if there are a bunch of special care techniques-other than regular shoe care-that have to be used with them...