What is brogueing?

Brogueing is the name given to decorative punched detailing along the seam of various styles of shoe, most notable it's namesake the Brogue, as below.

More about brogues

Originally outdoor country shoes Brogues were traditionally a sturdy leather shoe (or boot) with a low heel and a perforated pattern. Over time the use of brogues has broadened and instead of a county shoe it is considered a dress shoe for formal or casual wear. Brogues most commonly fasten with Derby or Oxford style lace-ups.

Types of brogues

Full Brogues are recognisable primarily for their punched pattern but also usually sport a 'wingtip' toe cap, a 'w' shape toe section so named because it resembles a bird with spread wings (see above). Sometimes the toe cap is cut in a contrasting colour creating a two-tone shoe (see below).

Half brogues have no shaped toe cab but instead a straight edge toe cap with the addition of a decorative perforation in the middle of the toe cap.

A quarter brogue has the straight edge toe perforation but no decorative perforations in the centre of the toe cap.

The ghillie brogue is a tongueless full brogue with laces which tie around the leg and is most commonly worn as part of traditional Scottish dress.

For the decade brogues have evolved and had big influence on the high street producing many cross-over styles of shoe including broguing but with a high heel and available in a variety colours and materials.

I confess to owning 12 pairs in various forms, I might have a problem.

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