The Brogue, bròg "shoe") is a style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterised by
multiple-piece, sturdy leather uppers with decorative perforations and serration along
the pieces' visible edges.
Modern brogues trace their roots to a rudimentary shoe originating in Scotland and Ireland that
was constructed using untanned hide with perforations, allowing water to drain when crossing wet
terrain such as a bog.
Brogues were traditionally considered to be outdoor or country footwear not otherwise
appropriate for casual or business occasions, but brogues are now considered appropriate
in most contexts.
Brogues are most commonly found in one of four toe cap styles and four closure styles.
Today, in addition to their typical form of sturdy leather shoes or boots, brogues may
also take the form of business dress shoes, sneakers, high-heeled women's shoes, or any
other shoe form that utilises or evokes the multi-piece construction and perforated, serrated
piece edges characteristic of brogues.
History Modern brogues trace their roots to a rudimentary
shoe originating in Scotland and Ireland that was constructed using untanned hide with perforations
that allowed water to drain from the shoes when the wearer crossed wet terrain such as
a bog.
The word "brogue" came into English in the late sixteenth century.
It comes from the Gaelic bróg, bròg "shoe", from the Old Norse "brók" meaning "leg covering".
The word "brogue" was first used to describe a form of outdoor, country walking shoe in
the early twentieth century traditionally worn by men.
At that time the brogue was not considered to be appropriate for other occasions, social
or business.
Over time perceptions have changed and brogues are now considered appropriate in most contexts,
including business.
Brogues continue to be most common as leather dress and casual shoes and boots, but can
also be found in many other forms including canvas and leather sneakers and high-heeled
women's shoes.
Although Brougues are similar to the "Oxford shoe", they are two completely different types
of shoes and are not to classified into the same family.
Styles Brogues are most commonly found in one of
four toe-cap styles and four closure styles.
Most commonly offered as a leather dress shoe, brogues may also come in the form of boots,
canvas or leather sneakers or any other shoe type that includes or evokes the multi-piece
construction and perforated, serrated edges characteristic of brogues.
Toe Caps Brogue styles are determined by the shape
of the toe cap and include the commonly available full brogue, semi-brogue and quarter brogue
styles, and may also be found in the less common longwing brogue style.
Full brogues
Full brogues are characterised by a pointed toe cap with extensions that run along both
sides of the toe, terminating near the ball of the foot.
Viewed from the top, this toe cap style is "W" shaped and looks similar to a bird with
extended wings, explaining the style name "wingtips" that is commonly used in the US.
The toe cap of a full brogue is both perforated and serrated along its edges and includes
additional decorative perforations in the center of the toe cap.
A shoe with a wingtip-style toecap but no perforations is known as an "austerity brogue",
while a plain-toe shoe with wingtip-style perforations is a "blind brogue".
Spectator shoes are full brogue Oxfords constructed from two contrasting colours, typically having
the toe and heel cap and sometimes the lace panels in a darker color than the main body
of the shoe.
Common color combinations include a white shoe body with either black or tan caps, but
other colours can be used.
Ghillie brogues
The ghillie style of full brogue Oxford has no tongue, to facilitate drying, and long
laces that wrap around the leg above the ankle and tie below the calf to facilitate keeping
the tie clear of mud.
Despite the functional aspects of their design, ghillies brogues are most commonly seen as
a component of traditional, formal Scottish dress and are worn primarily for social occasions.
Semi-brogues
Semi-brogues are characterised by a toe cap with decorative perforations and serration
along the cap's edge and includes additional decorative perforations in the center of the
toe cap.
The half brogue was first designed and produced by John Lobb Ltd. as an Oxford in 1937 in
an effort to offer his customers a shoe more stylish than a plain oxford, yet not as bold
as a full brogue.
Quarter brogues
Quarter brogues are characterised by a cap toe with decorative perforations and serrations
along the cap's edge, however, unlike semi-brogues, quarter brogues have no decorative perforations
in the center of the toe cap.
Longwing brogues Longwing brogues are Derby style shoes characterised
by a pointed toe cap with wings that extend the full length of the shoe, meeting at a
center seam at the heel.
Longwing Derby brogues were most popular in the US during the 1970s, and although the
popularity of this style has decreased, it remains available.
Closures Closure style is not a defining characteristic
of the brogue and therefore brogues can be found in a variety of closure styles.
Brogues are commonly available in laced Oxford, Derby or ghillie styles, but can also be found
as buckle and strap monk shoes and slip-on shoes with or without elastic closures.
See also Oxford shoe
Derby shoe Ghillies
Monk shoe Notes
References
External links Media related to Brogues at Wikimedia Commons