Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

[Oshare]

Those are called “Ghillies”. They are made as part of dress wear for a Scottish outfit. Knee socks, garters, a dirk and your kilt.

kilowatts

Ah! Interesting information there.

I had seen these (to me) strange John Lobb shoes, and now realize that they are styled after Ghillies, down to the tassels on the laces.

Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

I've been wearing these 1960s Bostonians lately while there's still some summer left. Nice! Definitely something to be said for lighter weight and breathable shoes in the summer. Although, -these- may be the ultimate breathable summer dress shoes. And the maker is...

www.styleforum.net

 

[kilowatts]

Ah! Interesting information there.

I had seen these (to me) strange John Lobb shoes, and now realize that they are styled after Ghillies, down to the tassels on the laces.

Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

I've been wearing these 1960s Bostonians lately while there's still some summer left. Nice! Definitely something to be said for lighter weight and breathable shoes in the summer. Although, -these- may be the ultimate breathable summer dress shoes. And the maker is...

www.styleforum.net

If you ever see the British royal family at Balmoral on TV all the men wear traditional Scottish dress and many wear ghillies to finish it off. They are also worn in traditional Scottish dancing. I think some regiments wear them with trews, those tartan tight pants. Not completely sure about that though.
Maybe they should try blue suede long wings,eh?
Kilowatts

 

[kilowatts]

Hi guys:

I’ve often looked at the UK version of eBay for shoes. I purchased a wonderful pair of Dinkelackers for next to nothing. I searched for British officers shoes and often you get Scottish heavyweight ex army brogues which are usually made by Sanders & Sanders and are a great deal. They have a British army sizing system which I don’t quite understand but nevertheless they are great shoes. Take a look and see if there are any.
Kilowatts

 

[stook1]

Ah! Interesting information there.

I had seen these (to me) strange John Lobb shoes, and now realize that they are styled after Ghillies, down to the tassels on the laces.

Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

I've been wearing these 1960s Bostonians lately while there's still some summer left. Nice! Definitely something to be said for lighter weight and breathable shoes in the summer. Although, -these- may be the ultimate breathable summer dress shoes. And the maker is...

www.styleforum.net

Hah! This is too funny. Earlier in the day, I had remembered the discussion about those Lobbs since at the time it prompted me to present some horrid (modern) cole haans that i'd purchased for some crazy reason prior to getting into proper shoes. I figured there was no possible way I could dig up my post... but now that you dug up your Lobb post, I was now able to find my post!

By the way, I will add that now that I am reviewing these few options for Ghillies... I do think I like the John Lobbs the most.

Vintage Dress shoe appreciation, tips, maintenance and advice

I've been wearing these 1960s Bostonians lately while there's still some summer left. Nice! Definitely something to be said for lighter weight and breathable shoes in the summer. Although, -these- may be the ultimate breathable summer dress shoes. And the maker is...

www.styleforum.net

 

[suitforcourt]

How to hide new purchases from spousal customs

 

[nikolau]

Hi guys:

I’ve often looked at the UK version of eBay for shoes. I purchased a wonderful pair of Dinkelackers for next to nothing. I searched for British officers shoes and often you get Scottish heavyweight ex army brogues which are usually made by Sanders & Sanders and are a great deal. They have a British army sizing system which I don’t quite understand but nevertheless they are great shoes. Take a look and see if there are any.
Kilowatts

What’s the UK version of eBay? Is it just “.co.uk” or is there a distinct, separate auction site?

 

[Nealjpage]

I think you’re spot on on the age. Very cool find.

So, how do I wear them? They look too casual to pair with slacks. Do I wear them with jeans?

 

[kilowatts]

What’s the UK version of eBay? Is it just “.co.uk” or is there a distinct, separate auction site?

Yeah, that’s right. I usually just google UK eBay.
kilowatts

 

[kilowatts]

I’ve often found that on European eBay sites they attach little value to Florsheim and other American makes. I haven’t had any luck with my size but I have seen substantially lower sales for “our” kind of shoes. Of course, English makes are all over the place.
kilowatts

 

[kilowatts]

How to hide new purchases from spousal customs

View attachment 1358098 View attachment 1358098

Very sneaky. You’ll make a great QC.
Kilowatts

 

[Dit_rich]

To me it looks like an aftermarket hack job on those shoes to make them like a cutaway summer shoe.

100%. I didn't have time to look at them carefully in the store but it's obvious on the pictures.
But hey, "Ghillies" - I learned something new thanks to that

 

[suitforcourt]

Very sneaky. You’ll make a great QC.
Kilowatts

Ontario gave up the QC designation. Who knows, they might revive it. By that time, it might be KC.

 

[mormonopoly]

Here’s one of my last pre-quarantine thrift finds. These are 1950s Boyd’s threadneedle st. Shoes. Boyd’s was known for super heavy duty shoes in the mid century era. These are size 8C

 

[suitforcourt]

Given that most of us are stuck at home, let's keep the mind sharp.

First pair of "nice" shoes.

Most money you've ever paid for a pair of shoes.

Your unicorn pair of shoes?

What you're willing to pay for the unicorn pair.

 

[suitforcourt]

First pair of "nice" shoes. My grandpa bought me a pair of Florsheim LWBs in 1997. Likely one of the last US made, or US assembled ones. I eventually threw them out. They were bought at a Florsheim store in Hong Kong. Grandpa was really into shoes. But only wore Bally of Switzerland for the comfort.

Most money you've ever paid for a pair of shoes. Oh. Man. All in? Over $600 (Canadian).

Your unicorn pair of shoes? NOS John McHale LWBs in 8.5eee. The iconic cherry coloured pair.

What you're willing to pay for the unicorn pair. $500+. Depends on my budget and financial circumstances obviously.