Brogueing or perforations refer to punched holes in shoes. They are originally thought to have started in Scotland where the holes allowed water to drain out of the shoes when the wearer crossed wet boggy terrain. Nowadays, they are used just as a decoration and to highlight, particularly in the Brogue, which is a style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterized by multiple-piece, sturdy leather uppers with decorative brogueing and serration along the pieces’ visible edges. Originally they were meant for country footwear and not appropriate for formal wear. Quite the contrary today where brogues take the form of business dress shoes, sneakers, high-heeled women’s shoes or any other shoe form that utilizes or evokes the multi-piece construction and perforated, serrated piece edges characteristic of the original Scottish designs. This particular wingtip pair was found in a Milan storefront, photo credits go to Matilda Hambrook.
