Brogues, The IKEA Effect and the toughest man in history
Design Ideas and Random Thoughts
Read Time: 2-3 min
Wise words:
“It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong.”– John Maynard Keynes
Behavioral bias of the week:
🧠 The IKEA Effect –
We tend to overvalue things we've helped build. This explains why DIY projects, custom shoes, and co-creation feel more meaningful — even if imperfect or rubbish.
→ Read more here
From bogs to boutiques – The Story of the Brogue
The brogue is one of those rare designs that balances rugged utility with lasting elegance. Originally made for trekking across wet bogs in Ireland and Scotland, early brogues were fashioned from untanned hide. The perforations — or broguing — weren’t decorative at first. They were there to let water drain out.
The name itself comes from Scottish and Irish Gaelic bròg, simply meaning "shoe", but also linked to Old Norse brók, meaning leg covering. Over time, the functional holes morphed into iconic detailing.
By the early 20th century, brogues were considered too informal for town or office wear. But as with denim or sneakers, what began as working-class utility has been embraced across all levels of fashion. Today, brogues are found in everything from wingtip dress shoes to high heels to minimalist sneakers.
Here’s a breakdown of the more common types (weather in various Oxford, Derby, ghillie or monk closures)
Full brogue (wingtip): A W-shaped toe cap with "wings" and a central medallion.
Semi-brogue: A straight-edged cap with a medallion.
Quarter brogue: A more reserved version, without the medallion.
Longwing: Wings that extend all the way to the heel.
Ghillie brogue: Tongueless with wraparound laces — part of traditional Highland dress.
Spectator: Full brogue in two-tone colourways.
At Studio Fahy this week, we’ve playfully reimagined the medallion and 2X1 detail of a classic brogue and brogueing in general, — nodding to tradition while deliberately breaking it. (plus an equally playful interpretation of the classic bowler hat.
My Recommends this week:
📘 What I’m Reading:
Adrian Carton de Wiart – One of the most incredible Wikipedia bios out there, and quite possibly the one man capable of fighting Chuck Norris. Wounded in war over ten times, shot in the face, lost an eye, escaped a POW camp, and once said “Frankly, I had enjoyed the war.”
→ Read his Wikipedia entry here
Till next time…
Help us! Share the shoesletter to just oe person or invite them to sign up here
👉 share
Let’s grow the conversation on linkedin or instagram below