The original reason behind the design of Ghillie brogues was purely practical. Shoes without a tongue dried quicker, as did the socks underneath. This meant that they were more practical in the Scottish countryside, where, let’s be honest, getting wet is highly likely!
In this post
What is a ghillie brogue?
Ghillie brogues are the shoes traditionally worn with a kilt outfit. Originally designed for walking through the mud and streams of Scotland, Ghillie Brogues today capture the same traditional look, but use different materials to match the needs of the wearer.
Do you have to wear ghillie brogues with a kilt?
You could choose to wear any type of smart shoe with your kilt outfit but we would always recommend a good pair of either ghillie or day brogues. They are available in many different styles and designs which means you’ll have no problem finding a pair that will suit your outfit needs.
What are ghillie shoes?
Ghillies are specially designed shoes used for several types of dance. They are soft shoes, similar to ballet shoes. They are used by women in Irish dance, by men and women in Scottish country dance, and by men and women in Highland dance.
Why do ghillie brogues have long laces?
The long laces also originally had a purely functional purpose. Tying the laces higher up meant that your shoes were far less likely to be pulled off in the mud: another likely scenario in the Scottish countryside!
Can I wear a kilt if I not Scottish?
How to Wear a Kilt? There is no problem for non-Scots to wear a kilt if they are wearing it for a legitimate reason. Such reasons would include any event – a wedding or some parties but be careful with how you wear it. The Kilt is a flexible outfit made of heavy wool that anyone can wear both formally and informally.
How do you keep ghillie brogue laces up?
Take your Ghillie Brogues and hold the end of the laces, twisting them around each other 5 times, creating a nice column at the front of the leg. If the twists are too loose, the laces may slip down later on, so ensure they are pulled tight.
Can I wear normal shoes with a kilt?
The shoes that are most commonly worn with kilts are the Ghillie Brogues, which are worn just like a regular shoe, but the laces should be wrapped around the ankles before they are tied in front. Though just about any shoe or boot can be worn with a kilt.
What is a Scottish ghillie?
1 : a male attendant on a Scottish Highland chief broadly : attendant. 2 chiefly Scotland and Ireland : a fishing and hunting guide. 3 : a shoe with a low top and decorative lacing.
When were ghillie shoes invented?
Circa 1640 a shawl tongue was added with a fringe to lend a touch of elegance. It was thought Irish landowners started to decorate their shoes with patterned sequence of holes. In the original shoes the holes served a pragmatic purpose i.e. to allow water to flow through.
What are Scottish shoes called?
brogue
The brogue (derived from the Gaeilge bróg (Irish), and the Gaelic bròg (Scottish) for “shoe”) is a style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterised by multiple-piece, sturdy leather uppers with decorative perforations (or “broguing”) and serration along the pieces’ visible edges.
What shoes did Highlanders wear?
We’re talking of course of the brogue which has been fashionable for very many decades and which has, for decoration, a layer of punched holes on the uppers. Those early shoes were also the forerunners of modern Highland dress shoes -the ghillie brogues which utilise the same thonging method for lacing them up.
Where should sporran sit?
Sporrans are worn on the front of the kilt, hanging by light chains or leather belts. It should hang approximately 4 or 5 inches, no lower than a hands width, from the top of the kilt.
How many twists are in a kilt shoe?
Twist them between 2-4 times, however many you prefer. Again, you can hold one lace still and wrap the other around it. A good guideline is to have fewer twists in the back of the leg than in the front.
How do you wear kilt socks and shoes?
Start with your shirt, socks and shoes first. That’s right, it’s much easier to put on your kilt after your shirt and shoes are on. Socks should be worn just below knee level (2-3 finger widths below your kneecap is a good guide) Socks should also be turned over at the top.
Why are kilts illegal in Scotland?
When was the kilt banned in Scotland? Imposed by the English Crown, the kilt ban was created in 1746 and lasted 35 long years. The ban came to suppress the Jacobite rebellion, which was becoming prevalent in the Highlands. The act of wearing a kilt was declared illegal with harsh punishments for consequence.
Is Black Watch tartan offensive?
The Black Watch is actually offensive to some Irish nationalists because of conflicts that occurred while members of that regiment were stationed in Northern Ireland. The ONLY thing to consider with the Black Watch tartan is where you’re going to wear it.
Can you wear a kilt to a funeral?
No the kilt is not generally worn for funerals in Scotland (memorials are not common in the Highlands), in my experience, but the kilt is a bit more common at funerals in the Highlands.
Where should a kilt sit?
Your kilt should be worn with the pleats to the rear and the fringes on the right hand side. It is high on the waist, at the tummy button – this is the correct way to wear a kilt as it will allow it to drop down to the top of the knee.
Where does kilt pin go?
How should a kilt pin be worn? A kilt pin is placed through the top layer of fabric on your kilt only– it should not be put through all the layers as this can cause damage to your kilt. Ideally it should be around 2 inches from the bottom of your kilt and around 1.5 inches from the apron.
How do I look good in a kilt?
Your kilt should be wrapped around your body with the pleats to the rear and the aprons overlapping at the front. The fringes should fall to your right-hand side. A kilt is meant to be worn high on the waist (above your navel), causing it to drop down to the middle of the knee.