Ghillie brogues, yes or no?

[Fiddler Doyle]

Dislike em. Too costume like. Ghillie Brogues were children's shoes - never understood why the pipe bands wear them. I wear shoes to match what is on top... shiny dress (even wingtips) with formal... flip flops with tshirt.

[DTrain]

Personally, I like them. I think they help "dress up" the formal kilt outfit but can "overdress" a daywear outfit. Kind of like a pocket square, or the PC in the right setting. Casual with ghillies? NO.
Formal with ghilles? Yes. But that doesn't mean that formal MUST include ghillies.

I like them. Just my two cents.

[Bob C]

I like them with the Prince Charlie suit. They're obviously not for casual wear. Those buckle brogues look like the shoes little girls wore when I was in elementary school in the '60s.

[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?

[bowser]

Not sure if I like them or not, but I cant agree with the not for casual wear comments, I try and go to a lot of rugby matches at Twickenham (for those the other side of the pond its the English national rugby stadium) and kilts are seen more and more, it has to be said that at least %50 will be wearing gillie brogues with kilt and rugby shirt

[Scotus]

...kilts are seen more and more, it has to be said that at least %50 will be wearing gillie brogues with kilt and rugby shirt

Thanks for that post, bowser. It illustrates the point that ghille brogues are a part of modern Scottish attire and are neither costume-like, only for pipers, nor just for children.

[McMurdo]

Not sure if I like them or not, but I cant agree with the not for casual wear comments, I try and go to a lot of rugby matches at Twickenham (for those the other side of the pond its the English national rugby stadium) and kilts are seen more and more, it has to be said that at least %50 will be wearing gillie brogues with kilt and rugby shirt

I would hazard a guess that these same rugby fans would be wearing dress belts or dress sporrans, this does not mean that it is "proper" to wear dress sporrans, belts or ghillie brogues with a rugby shirt. What it means is that most people will think it acceptable as the only sporran or belt these chaps own are the dress ones. As for the Ghillies the reason, I think of the popularity of these has everything to do with the rental industry, so we are at the point where many see these as proper to wear with the kilt.

[DWFII]

I like them with the Prince Charlie suit. They're obviously not for casual wear. Those buckle brogues look like the shoes little girls wore when I was in elementary school in the '60s.

Not all buckle shoes are created equal.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/a...&pictureid=546

On the other hand, we call the shoes you're referring to "Mary Janes" simply because they are very similar to what little girls wear/wore.

As a shoemaker, I think they look silly or odd because they violate a number of aesthetic principles...not the least is having a big honking buckle right over the ball of the foot--the area of the foot that must bend and flex, and deeply. I've never worn a pair but I suspect they cannot be all that comfortable. Many of the old books on making shoes speak of techniques and styles that are reserved for people who don't move around much...it's not hard to imagine some styles of footwear and or clothing evolving and coming into vogue in an era when (ahem) "leisure" time was reserved for the very rich.

[bowser]

I would hazard a guess that these same rugby fans would be wearing dress belts or dress sporrans, this does not mean that it is "proper" to wear dress sporrans, belts or ghillie brogues with a rugby shirt. What it means is that most people will think it acceptable as the only sporran or belt these chaps own are the dress ones. As for the Ghillies the reason, I think of the popularity of these has everything to do with the rental industry, so we are at the point where many see these as proper to wear with the kilt.

Not normally, just plain leather sporran, and a plain leather belt, got to say I have quite a few friends who have at least one kilt, almost all only have one belt and one sporran and it fits all uses.
I only have one kilt belt one pewter buckle, ok I have a SK cargo sporran and a leather one but neither are dress (I would post a pic but haven't worked out how yet). I would agree that it is possibly driven by the hire industry, but regardless, it dosent look out of place, and it is something that is being worn in such circumstances.
Not trying to make a judgement as to right or wrong, just stating what is.

[piperdown]

Everything has its place and time.
No doc martins on a formal night and no gillies with a t-shirt at the pub.
But to each their own...whatever makes YOU comfortable is what you should wear.
It's just that simple.