What Makes a Brogue a Brogue?

You know what a brogue is: it's that classic, slightly wingtip-looking lace-up shoe with perforations on the toe. It's a shoe that turns up at the front just enough to be stylish. Brogues are crafted with fine leathers and time-honored techniques that ensure lasting comfort, durability, and style. A brogue is a shoe or boot with perforated holes – the broguing – cut into the leather upper. It's not just for show, though – this distinctive design keeps your feet cool and comfortable on warmer days. 

A History of Brogue Shoes-

The brogue is one of the original perforated leather shoes, a style that has a long and unique history dating back hundreds of years, and is credited with being the first decorative shoe in the world. They were originally used in the United Kingdom and Ireland as utilitarian shoes to wear while attendees would tend to farm animals for work. Eventually the shoes grew so popular, they were then worn outside of farm life as a "fashionable" shoe all around Britain and Ireland. The style still retains its original design by being more heavily decorated on the right side of the shoe as that side was always shown in Western culture when one made a social bow or curtsy. Trading as far back as the 9th century B.C Roman merchants wore perforated sandals, and by the Middle Ages, hard leather boots were being sold with hundreds of holes punched on the upper part of it.  

Types of Broguing-

Derby Brogue-  

Derby brogue Shoes with Open Lacing System- The Derby shoe is characterized by its open lacing system and the absence of an overlap, which means the top part of the shoe has a small hole punched on the upper part of it . It also is known for its distinctive perforations.

Full Brogue-

A full brogue is also called a wingtip brogue because it has a toe cap that looks like a W, with wings that run along the side of the shoe, ending just before the ball of the foot. Designed with comfort in mind, the shoes feature a natural leather sole unit.

Ghillie brogue-

Gillies are tongueless shoes with a lacing system that is open. Laced around and up the ankle, this unique brogue has long laces that tie around the calf. A kilt is often worn with this traditional brogue shoe, which draws attention to the lacing.

Longwing brogue-

The Longwing Brogue is a style icon, recognised by its distinctive hand welt, and considered a modern classic for the discerning gentleman. Crafted from one piece of leather it has a clean refined aesthetic. The heavy brogue punching creates additional styling while further contributing to the shoe's durability. This style features punched holes on the sides and back as well as punched broguing along the toe and heel points.

Monk brogue-

The shoe's strap or buckle (also known as a monk strap shoes) secures it to the wearer. Monk brogues do not feature laces.

Oxford brogue-

Round toe cap Oxford brogue shoes have holes punched on the surface, which is quite novel and special. It also brings you a traditional charm and mature personality.

Quarter brogue-

Quarter brogues have perforations on the edges and a straight toe cap. The quarter brogue shoe is a classic two colour stitched suit made to a higher standard with premium Italian leather and super soft full-grain cow leather inside the shoe. 

Semi brogue-

Semi Brogue Shoes have a brogue pattern on one or two parts of the upper. Broguing is a decorative perforated design. These semi brogue shoes will look great with a pair of jeans, khakis, or even a suit.

You can shop the Barker collection online by colour to find all the styles of dress shoes available in black and/or brown.