Ghillie brogues, yes or no?

**JRB** · 24th September 08, 05:43 AM

I love brogues (wing tips here in the USA) but I really don't like ghilli brogues. Too costumey for my tastes. That being said, I don't mind seeing them on pipe band members. They are wearing a uniform after all and ghilli brogues seem appropriate in that context.

**thanmuwa** · 24th September 08, 05:45 AM

Not a fan, but I have yet to see anything better for a formal or semi-formal kilted occasion....

**Spc. Scott** · 24th September 08, 05:59 AM

I don't care for them but they do have their place.

**DWFII** · 24th September 08, 06:04 AM

I don't like them...if someone else does, 'sok with me.

But as a shoemaker, I am not convinced that they really have any place in traditional Sottish dress, except maybe for piping. You would not have seen anything like a ghillie brogue at Culloden or anywhere through the 18th, 19th or even early 20th century.

Ancienne Alliance started a thread about old photos in the "Show us your pics" area and I've yet to see a pair of ghillie brogues being worn in those photos...maybe I missed something. But show me evidence of ghillie brogues being worn pre-1930, say, and I'll change my mind.

**bowser** · 24th September 08, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by DWFII

I don't like them...if someone else does, 'sok with me.

But as a shoemaker, I am not convinced that they really have any place in traditional Sottish dress, except maybe for piping. You would not have seen anything like a ghillie brogue at Culloden or anywhere through the 18th, 19th or even early 20th century.

Ancienne Alliance started a thread about old photos in the "Show us your pics" area and I've yet to see a pair of ghillie brogues being worn in those photos...maybe I missed something. But show me evidence of ghillie brogues being worn pre-1930, say, and I'll change my mind.

being new to the board don't like to be a pain but a quick search and I found this which is a picture from 1869 quite clearly shows the figure on the right wearing gillie's

**DWFII** · 24th September 08, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by bowser

being new to the board don't like to be a pain but a quick search and I found this which is a picture from 1869 quite clearly shows the figure on the right wearing gillie's

That's great! I stand corrected. And, lo and behold, the two on the left are wearing Mary Janes...although the date is 1869--somewhat late for the buckle shoes I was talking about but no matter.

Thanks for posting that picture.

PS. What's the source for that painting/picture?

**bowser** · 24th September 08, 11:17 AM

http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/Univ...ocus/victoria/

Maclachlan, Graham, Macfarlane & Calquhoun

(Loch Lomond, Ben Lomand from Luss, 1869)

I just did a search on John Brown (Queen Victoria)

**Tommy Hunt** · 24th September 08, 06:08 AM

I think they look cool with their laces tied the way they are. I'd probably only wear then with formal or perhaps semi formal attire.

**Thunderbolt** · 24th September 08, 06:27 AM

I didn't have a good pair of ghillies for many years wearing the kilt and I always felt that I wasn't quite "dressed". Since I've gotten them, I like them and haven't looked back.

However, they aren't the most comfortable shoes, but only wearing the occasionaly dosen't help them break in!

T.

**Tim Little** · 24th September 08, 06:59 AM

I'm actually rather partial to them w. a PC or semi-formal dress, or for piping (aesthetically only). Following Thompson's lead, I feel they clearly don't belong w. "white-tie" dress (Montrose doublet, etc.) when "Mary Jane" type shoes seem more appropriate, nor for casual wear when any good pair of shoes/boots will do nicely.