All You Need to Know About Brogues

Warning: this is a totally random subject that likely only I found interesting. So you may want to skip this post, unless you share my same nerdy tendency of enjoying learning about shoe terms! Anyways . . . I kept coming across a variety of terms used to describe the type of shoe with small, decorative perforations in it. So I finally Wikipedia-ed it. Apparently the category of shoe that I have been calling oxfords for years is actually brogues. There are 4 main groups of perforation designs, and 4 main types of closures.

Trivia: The shoes originated in the back country of Ireland and Scotland. The holes were to allow liquid to drain from the shoe after a day slogging through the bogs!

Types of Perforations:

Full (Wing Tip): perforated toe cap with a pointed serration that extends along the shoe

Semi (Half): perforation on toe cap with a flat serration on cap edge

Quarter: flat serration on cap edge only

Longwing: perforated toe cap with a pointed serration that extends to the back of the shoe

Types of Closures:
Oxford: shoelace eyelet tabs are underneath the vamp (aka upper part of the shoe)

Derby: shoelace eyelet tabs are above the vamp

Monk: buckle, no laces

Ghillie: no tongue (for dancing)

If that wasn't enough choices for your brogues, don't forget you can always choose between a solid color or spectator style!

Who knew men's styles had so much variety packed into them?
PS: Click on the pictures for their sources.