brogue

/brōɡ/

noun

noun: brogue; plural noun: brogues

A strong outdoor shoe with ornamental perforated patterns in the leather.

A rough shoe of untanned leather, formerly worn in parts of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands.

 

In this strange 2020 I have to stare whenever I see a man dressed in a suit. Will the suit be a fixture to be found only in politics or in business districts?

In the early 70s my Rosmary and I taught English in American Companies in Mexico City. I felt I had to dress properly. It was around 1970 that I purchased a pair of black leather brogues at Sears Roebuck de México. I wore them for many years. Here in Vancouver when I photographed politicians, lawyers or an annual report at the Vancouver Stock Exchange I would wear a suit and my brogues. This way I could blend in and make my subjects relax when they faced my camera and lights.

Now my brogues and suit are in my closet and I cannot see how I could possibly wear either of them. I have a fine collection of ties. What will happen to them?

It is now about five years that I have worn my rubber/plastic Native shoes. Leather and I have parted company.

But because I am an old man with old man ideas I find it thrilling to photograph lovely women wearing my suits, smoking expensive cigars or in this case wearing my brogues.