Brogues are leather shoes with decorative perforations and low heels. They originated in Scotland and Ireland as heavy-duty shoes for outdoor use, but evolved into more formal dress shoes. Ghillie brogues are worn for Scottish attire and dancing.
Brogues are leather shoes that feature low heels and decorative perforations on their upper parts. They are commonly used as men’s dress shoes, but there are women’s versions as well. Various styles of footwear may be referred to as brogues, including the type of footwear historically known by this name and the special dance shoes known as ghillie brogues or ghillies. In some countries, such as the United States, these shoes are sometimes called wingtips.
The origins of the brogues
This type of shoe originated in Scotland and Ireland. The word “brogue” comes from the Gaelic word for “shoe,” illustrating how ubiquitous these shoes were in Scottish and Irish culture. Over time, this heavy-duty shoe became specifically associated with the lower classes. The shoes also lent their name to a slang term for the Scottish and Irish accent, again showing how closely these shoes were linked to the culture of these regions.
The reason for perforated leather
The original brogues were purely functional shoes, made of heavy, rawhide that was perforated so that the shoes could easily drain. Easy drainage was crucial, because many Irish and Scots spent a lot of time outdoors, crawling through damp fields, damp bogs, or other damp environments. Without drainage, the shoes would fill with water, becoming heavy and unpleasant. These traditional brogues eventually evolved into more formal shoes that retained the perforations, or brogues, along with the low heel.
Modern Versions
Although the modern brogue is related to the traditional version, this type of shoe should no longer be worn while touring the countryside. Although leather tends to be heavier than other dress shoes, modern shoes are generally made of tanned leather and should look classy. The perforations on these shoes are often designed in a distinct pattern known as a wingtip, referring to the W shape at the toe of the shoe.
Ghillie Brogues
Dress shoes are designed with a tongue under the laces. By contrast, ghillies have no tongue, reminiscent of the days when a shoe’s tongue would have trapped water inside. The lacing on the gills also runs the length of the leg, securing the shoe firmly to the wearer’s foot. Ghillie brogues are worn with formal Scottish attire or for traditional Scottish dancing. They also have a low heel, and shoes specifically for dancing sometimes have a soft sole to allow the dancer greater flexibility and traction.
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