Evolution Of Brogue Shoes

The mantra in todays fashion world is to unearth the winners of the past and give them a modern twist. Were seeing a comeback of trends that were prevalent in the 60s and 70s, whether it is in clothes, hairstyles or even footwear. The most recent reappearance in footwear is that of brogue shoes.

Though brogue shoes for men never truly went out of fashion, they did go in hibernation for some time. But designers have rediscovered their evergreen style, and have brought it back on the ramp. Theres more variety and more designs than ever before, and this time, even women will be able to experience the uniqueness and class of this shoe.

Originally designed as a casual shoe for the menfolk in Ireland and Scotland, brogue boots were marketed as an inexpensive shoe to serve a purely functional purpose. The humble Irish workers adored the shoe due to their unique perforated front and tongue-less laces. These were so created so as to aid the workers in being comfortable on the damp bogs of the countryside where they worked. The holes helped drain out water from inside the shoes, if it filled in during the rainy season.

Dress brogue shoes also became popular in Scotland, where they were worn during formal dances. These shoes had a little heel that made a distinct sound as they were tapped on the wooden floors. These were usually made from untanned leather, which is why they retained its original brown color. The lacing was a cross-over style that could be tied up till the calf, for better grip, and looked great with Scottish kilts. These are available as full, half or quarter variants, where the fractions refer to the amount of perforations on the shoe.

Today, the brogue shoe has come a long way and is worn on most formal occasions. Available in black and brown tanned leather, they are considered as some of the most stylish mens shoes, with innovations taking place for the last 150 years. The sale volumes of brogue shoes for men have reached new limits in recent times, and still continue to grow. No other shoe offers style and comfort in the way these shoes do, which is why they have a huge fan following.

Become A Stylish Man By Wearing Brogue Shoes

Have you ever had a bad day when your friends laughed at you for wearing a distasteful pair of shoes? It is time to build your credibility and invest in trendy brogue shoes that are sure to mesmerize all around you. Famous with men and women all over Europe, these shoes make a special addition to your personality. Brogues have their origins in Ireland and Scotland and are characterized by their multi-piece construction. These shoes traditionally feature low heels that are typically made from superior leather, but are also available in rubber sole.

Brogue shoes traditionally belonged to a sophisticated section of society and are fast catching up with the modern day fashion trends. You can see them worn by teenagers, men in 20s, middle-aged men and also by octogenarians. One of the most attractive parts of these shoes is their toe caps that are strikingly distinct in appearance. These are typified by elegant decorative perforations that add beauty to these shoes. Their serrated edges make them stand apart in a heap of shoes. Brogue shoes are widely becoming popular with men around the world. Even famous designers and shoe brands are giving a lot of attention in bringing out stylish and unique designs in brogues to take advantage of their increasing popularity and demand.

Modern men do not make any compromises when it comes to style. Even the colour of the brogue shoes that they wear must coordinate with their clothes. Most men do ensure to have shoes in black and brown in their closet. This is because black is an evergreen colour and the most ideal colour option in case of men’s footwear. Brown has also become very versatile as it gels with every colour in men’s clothing. This can be further categorized in classic brown and tan brown that huge hits with men. Brogues in contrast colour combinations are also in demand. The popular combinations in brogues are black and white, black and brown, and classic brown and tan brown.

High quality full grain or suede is widely used to manufacture brogue shoes. Branded shoes also have a full-length footbed covered in leather inside the shoe. This makes it slip-resistant ensuring complete safety to the wearer. These are traditionally lace-up shoes that make an ideal wear with a business suit. This, however, does not mean that you cannot wear them with jeans. Many celebrities also complement their blue jeans with a pair of full, semi- or quarter brogue shoes.

Make sure that the pair you buy fits you properly. An unfit pair will only lead to fashion faux pas that will linger as a bad moment in your memory for years to come. Go to the right online store that features a number of sizes of shoes so that you can make an easy choice without spending hours on searching a suitable pair of brogue shoes.

Scottish Clothing – Traditional Dress

Traditional Scottish clothing is characterised by the appearance of tartan or plaid patterns in some form. Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Originally it was made from woven cloth, but now additional materials are also used.

Until the middle of the 19th century, highland tartans were associated with regions or districts, rather than by any specific clan or family. This was due to the fact that the designs were produced by local weavers, with a limited range of local dyes and for local tastes.

Male Scottish dress includes a kilt or trews, sporrans and gillie brogues.

The kilt is a knee-length skirt with pleats at the rear. It was first worn in the 16th century, by men and boys in the Scottish Highlands. It is typically made from one piece of fabric that is wrapped around and fastened at the side.

Since the 19th century, it has been associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic – and more specifically Gaelic – heritage further afield.

Today, the Scottish kilt is most frequently worn on formal occasions or at Highland games and sports events. It has, however, all been adapted for more mainstream fashion, and can be seen on catwalks across the globe, worn by Scottish and non-Scottish fans alike.

The sporran is made of leather or fur, and serves as a wallet and container for any other necessary personal items, as the traditional Scottish kilt does not have pockets.

In medieval times, it would have been attached to the belt. Today, it generally hangs just below the belt buckle on a chain, but can be turned around the waist, to let it hang on the hip in a more casual and convenient position.

Gillie brogues are traditional thick-soled shoes, with no tongues and long laces. The laces are secured by wrapping them around the ankles then tied. The shoes deliberately lack tongues, so the wearer’s feet can dry more quickly in typically damp Scottish weather.

The Gillie brogue is named after the Gillie, the traditional Scottish gamekeeper and outdoorsman.

Traditionally, women and girls didnt wear kilts, but sometimes wore ankle-length plaid skirts. In the absence of this, or in addition, a tartan sash or shawl may also be worn to indicate clan affiliation.

Female dress also includes gillie shoes that are tied on the same way as their male counterparts, but they tend to have thin soles for indoor wear and dancing.

Women may also wear dress tartans, which have white threads woven into the patterns. The light colour of this fabric was a status symbol. It was used to demonstrate prosperity, because the wearer could wear the tartan without fear of it being soiled.

White tartan was also worn to social events as a sign of peace and harmony – indicating it would not be stained by bloodshed.