Brogues Shoe Guide: History & Best Brogues Styles

What is brogue shoes & their history? “Brogue” is the modern-day English spelling of the Gaelic word “bròg,” which translates to “shoe.” Centuries ago, brogues were worn by Scottish and Irish peasants, and the holes (known as “broguing” or perforations) were functional, existing to allow the brogue shoes to drain water after crossing a river or marsh. They were made of untanned leather, had no heels, and often had fur attached. Nowadays, the only similarity is the presence of the perforations, which are purely aesthetic. The perforations are often surrounded by “pinking” which is leather cut in a repeating “V” pattern. While very common, pinking isn’t a prerequisite for a brogue to be defined as such. How Many Different Brogue Styles Are There? Brogue shoes have evolved over time and now come in various styles, patterns, and shapes. The variations are what makes them so hard to style. The following is the modern styles of brogues - 1. Wingtip or Full Brogues The most po...