Honestly, if you’re staring down a pair of kilt shoes and the laces look like a Gordian knot designed by a sadist, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. My first Highland games, I spent a good fifteen minutes wrestling with those thin, slippery things, feeling like an absolute imbecile while everyone else seemed to be effortlessly gliding into their kilts.
They sell you these fancy shoes, right? With the tassels and the ghillie brogues, looking all dapper. Then they toss in a pair of laces that seem determined to make you question your life choices. It’s not rocket science, but it feels like it when you’re sweating before the pipers even start.
So, let’s cut the crap. This isn’t about some elaborate, multi-step ritual passed down through generations of cobblers. It’s about getting those shoes on your feet without wanting to yeet them across the field. This is how to tie laces for kilt shoes, the practical, no-nonsense way.
Kilt Shoe Laces: Why They’re Different (and Annoying)
Look, most shoes have laces that are pretty straightforward. You loop them, you knot them, you’re done. Kilt shoes, specifically the ghillie brogue style, are a different beast. The laces are typically longer, often flatter, and designed to wrap around the ankle multiple times, disappearing into tiny eyelets that seem to actively resist progress. It’s less about a simple bow and more about securing a shoe that’s meant to stay put through vigorous dancing or marching. My first pair of ghillies, I swear the laces were at least six feet long, and they felt like they were made of greased silk. I ended up with this giant, lopsided knot that kept snagging on everything. Total nightmare. I spent around $40 on fancy insoles because I was too embarrassed to admit I couldn’t even tie my shoes properly.
The standard advice you’ll find online often involves a double knot or a specific way to tuck the ends. Some of it’s decent, sure, but most of it feels like it was written by someone who has never actually had to do this in a hurry, possibly while wearing a heavy wool kilt.
[IMAGE: Close-up of ghillie brogue kilt shoe laces wrapped around the ankle, showing the numerous eyelets and the long laces.]
The Basic Ghillie Tie: What Actually Works
Forget elaborate bows. For ghillie brogues, the goal is a neat, secure tie that won’t unravel or look like a bird’s nest. The laces go through the two lowest eyelets, then up and across to the opposing eyelets, and then you continue this criss-cross pattern all the way up. The key difference is that you don’t just tie a knot at the top like you would with a sneaker. Instead, you’re wrapping the laces around your ankle, usually twice, before securing them. (See Also: Can You Machine Wash Hoka Running Shoes)
Here’s the simple method that’s saved me countless minutes of frustration. Most people think you need to do some intricate lacing pattern all the way up, but frankly, that’s overkill for most occasions. You want a secure fit that looks clean. Honestly, I think the complex lacing patterns are just marketing to make you feel like you need to be some kind of expert.
It’s a two-stage process, really. First, get them laced correctly through the shoe. Second, tie them securely around your ankle. That’s it. No hidden secrets, no ancient Scottish rites involved.
Step 1: Lacing the Shoe
- Start with the laces threaded through the bottom two eyelets, with an equal amount of lace on each side.
- Bring each lace end up to the next set of eyelets on the opposite side.
- Continue this ‘criss-cross’ pattern, going up through each subsequent pair of eyelets. You’ll have two laces, each going from one side to the opposite.
- When you reach the top eyelets, you’ll have two lace ends dangling.
[IMAGE: Step-by-step visual of lacing ghillie brogues, showing the criss-cross pattern.]
The Ankle Wrap: Securing Your Kilt Shoes
This is where most people get it wrong. They try to tie a regular shoelace knot, and it looks sloppy or comes undone. The ghillie brogue is designed for the laces to wrap around the ankle. I once saw a guy at a wedding whose laces were wrapped so high they were practically touching his knees. It looked ridiculous. The common advice is to wrap twice, and I generally agree with that, but the *way* you tie it off is what matters.
Here’s my go-to method. It’s not fancy, but it’s quick and it holds. After you’ve laced the shoes, take one lace in each hand. Bring them around your ankle, crossing them over the front. Wrap them around your ankle, usually going from front to back, and then again if you have long laces or a smaller ankle. You want them snug, not cutting off circulation. Think of it like securing a bandage – firm, but not constricting. The actual knot comes after the wraps.
Step 2: The Secure Knot
- Take the two lace ends and cross them over the front of your ankle.
- Wrap each lace around your ankle, going from front to back. You might do this once or twice, depending on lace length and ankle size.
- Bring the laces back to the front.
- Tie a standard shoelace knot (a bow knot) right over the point where you crossed them. Make sure it’s tight.
- Tuck the resulting ‘bow’ neatly so it lies flat against your ankle, usually to the side. The goal is to hide the knot as much as possible.
This method works because the wraps provide the tension, and the knot just secures those wraps. It feels incredibly sturdy, and it doesn’t look like a giant bow perched on your shoe. I learned this after about my fifth attempt at various ghillie-tying techniques, and it’s been my standard ever since. It’s surprisingly effective.
[IMAGE: Person demonstrating the ankle wrap and knotting technique for ghillie brogues.]
What If They Still Come Undone?
Okay, so you’ve followed the steps, and your laces still feel like they’re trying to escape. What’s the deal? Sometimes, it’s the laces themselves. If they’re old, worn, or made of a super slippery material, they’re going to be a pain. The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has standards for fiber friction, and some laces just don’t meet them for reliable knot retention. Seriously, I’ve bought new laces, and it made a world of difference. If you’re using the laces that came with cheap shoes, that’s probably your first upgrade. Get some waxed cotton laces. They have just enough grip without being bulky. (See Also: Can You Put Hey Dude Shoes In The Washing Machine)
Another thing: your wrapping technique might be too loose. If you’re not getting enough friction from the laces against your skin or the shoe itself, they’ll slip. Try wrapping a bit tighter, or adding that extra wrap around the ankle. It’s like trying to tie a boat fender; you need tension to keep it from sliding.
And sometimes, it’s just bad luck. A rogue gust of wind, an enthusiastic dance move – who knows. If they come undone mid-event, a quick double-knotting of the ends you have left is better than letting them drag. You can always re-tie them properly later.
Contrarian View: Do You *really* Need Ghillies for Every Kilt?
Everyone says ghillie brogues are *the* shoe for a kilt. You see them everywhere, and they look the part. But here’s my hot take: for many occasions, especially if you’re not a dancer or attending a very formal event, they’re overkill. I’ve worn my kilt with well-polished plain oxfords or even smart loafers to less formal gatherings, and nobody batted an eye. In fact, I often find plain shoes more comfortable for extended periods. The ghillie laces, as we’ve discussed, can be a hassle, and the shoes themselves aren’t always the most supportive. If you’re just attending a family wedding or a casual pub night where you’re wearing a kilt, don’t feel *obligated* to struggle with ghillie laces if a simpler shoe works better for you. Save the ghillies for when the occasion truly calls for them, or when you’re ready to commit to mastering the tie.
[IMAGE: A person wearing a kilt with polished oxfords, looking comfortable and stylish.]
Table: Kilt Shoe Lace Options Compared
| Lace Type | Pros | Cons | My Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Round Shoelace | Easy to tie, widely available. | Too short for ghillies, looks wrong, prone to slipping. | Just don’t. It’s like putting car tires on a bicycle. |
| Flat Waxed Cotton (1.5-2mm wide) | Good grip, durable, looks classic. | Can be slightly stiff, might need an extra wrap for security. | My personal favorite. The best balance of function and form for ghillies. |
| Flat Unwaxed Cotton | Soft, easy to knot initially. | Slippery, can fray easily, knots come undone if not perfectly tight. | Avoid unless you have very short laces and a low-stress event. |
| Leather Laces | Very durable, looks premium. | Can be stiff, expensive, may stretch over time, knots can be bulky. | A high-end option, but often unnecessary and can be a pain to break in. |
Faq: Your Kilt Shoe Lace Questions Answered
How Many Eyelets Do Kilt Shoes Typically Have?
Most ghillie brogues have between 5 to 7 pairs of eyelets, so 10 to 14 holes in total. The exact number can vary slightly depending on the shoe manufacturer and the size of the shoe. You’ll see two at the very bottom, and then they’ll continue up the sides of the shoe, leading to the area where you’ll do your ankle wraps.
Should Kilt Shoe Laces Be Tucked in or Tied in a Bow?
For ghillie brogues, the laces are meant to wrap around the ankle and then be tied securely in a knot, often appearing as a neat bow or tuck on the side. They are not typically tucked into the shoe like some casual sneakers might be, nor are they usually left with long, dangling ends. The ankle wrap is a key part of the ghillie style and its function.
Can I Use Regular Shoelaces for Kilt Shoes?
Technically, you *can* thread regular shoelaces through the eyelets, but it’s highly unlikely they will be long enough or the right style to properly tie ghillie brogues around your ankle. Standard shoelaces are designed for a simple bow on top of the shoe. Ghillie laces are much longer and specifically designed for the wrap-around ankle tie. Using regular ones will likely result in them being too short and looking very out of place. (See Also: Can We Wash New Balance Shoes In Washing Machine)
How Do I Prevent My Kilt Shoe Laces From Coming Undone?
Ensuring your laces are a good quality, like waxed cotton, helps. Make sure you’re wrapping them snugly around the ankle at least once, preferably twice. The knot itself needs to be pulled tight. Some people even use a tiny dab of discreet fabric glue on the knot after tying, though this is usually unnecessary if your laces and technique are good. The key is consistent tension during the wrap and a firm knot.
[IMAGE: A close-up of a neatly tied ghillie brogue ankle wrap, showing the laces secured.]
Final Verdict
So there you have it. It’s really not that complicated once you get the hang of it. The key to how to tie laces for kilt shoes is understanding that the ankle wrap is the functional part, and the knot is just the fastener. Don’t overthink it. My biggest mistake for years was trying to make it look like a fancy dress shoe knot instead of a secure, practical wrap.
If you’re still struggling, or if your laces are just plain awful, do yourself a favor and invest in a decent pair of waxed cotton laces. Seriously. It’s a small change that makes a massive difference in how secure and neat your shoes look.
Honestly, the whole thing feels like a small victory each time you get it right without a fuss. It’s one less thing to worry about when you’re dressed up and ready to go. Just get them tied, and enjoy the event.
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