Shoes have always been the ultimate style statements when it came to dressing up. Right from Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik to Aldo and Clarks, shoes have always evolved with time irrespective of the fashion trends. Heels to wedges, moccasins to loafers, shoes have been the ultimate fashion statement for all. And guess what the latest fashion trend is ? Unisex shoes.
That is where Brogues come in. From office to casual hangouts, these shoes can be paired with anything and are super comfortable and adds a dash of class to your attire!
The Brogue (derived from the Old Irish bróg) is a style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterized by multiple-piece, sturdy leather uppers with decorative perforations (or “broguing”)
Modern brogues trace their roots to a shoe originating in Ireland that was constructed using un tanned hide with perforations, allowing water to drain when crossing wet terrain. Brogues were traditionally considered to be outdoor or country footwear not otherwise appropriate for casual or business occasions, but brogues are now considered appropriate and also as a trending fashion statement. The best part about a brogue is that it is unisex and can be paired with almost anything!
Brogues are most commonly found in one of four toe cap styles (full or “wingtip”, semi-, quarter and long wing) and four closure styles (Oxford, Derby, ghillie, and monk). The word “brogue” came into English in the sixteenth century. It comes from the Old Irish bróg “shoe”, which itself stems from the Old Norse “brók” meaning “leg covering”. It was first used to describe a form of outdoor, country walking shoe in the early twentieth century traditionally worn by men. 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.
Styles : Types of Brogues
Toe caps
Brogue styles are determined by the shape of the toe cap and include the commonly available full brogue or “wingtip” , semi-brogue and quarter brogue styles, and may also be found in the less common long wing brogue style.
Full brogues (or wingtips)
Full brogues (also known as wingtips) are characterized by a pointed toe cap with extensions (wings) 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
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 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 (or Half brogues)
Semi-brogues (also known as half brogues) are characterized 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. Semi-brogues are more formal than full brogues.
6. Quarter brogues
Quarter brogues are characterized 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. Quarter brogues are more formal than semi brogues and full brogues; they are the most formal of dress shoes with brogueing, making them the ideal fit to pair with business attires.
7. Long wing Brogues
Long wing brogues are derby style shoes characterized by a pointed toe cap with wings that extend the full length of the shoe, meeting at a center seam at the heel.
8. 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 w/o elastic closures.
Wondering where to get your pair of brogues?
Don’t worry cause we got your back!
Shopping: 1. True nomads Shoe // 2. Zidena Brogue Shoe // 3. Genuine leather shoe
(Fashion Trends by Kamalika Mukherjee)
