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.