Celtic shoes

[Betty Munro]

Oh Dona Catalina, I would just DIE for a copy of that portrait!!!  Kilt with boots documented - HUZzAH!

[Nighthawk]

Boots... They were worn. By nobles on horses. Not by the common Highland warrior, because they were expensive. Keep in mind that the Highlands in the Renaissance are what we would today call a third world country. If the Highland man had the money to spend on boots, he would have used it to buy a sword or targe instead. So- with that being said, here's a couple pictures of a very accurate portrayal of a Highland man of the period (a picture being worth a thousand words and all...)





So really, all you need is kilt, sporran, pampooties like the ones already linked to from Smoke And Fire, and a shirt. That's not to mention a big stick to fight with! That would be your most basic common Highlander. If you want a step above, meaning a moderately successful man (an artisan for example) you would add certain small touches- targe, dirk, a basket hilt claymore, and tartan hose- not Argyles! Get yourself a couple yards of tartan (USA Kilts sells PV tartan by the yard for like $15) and just make a pair of hose that are stitched up the back. Buckle brogues would have been worn with an upper class outfit. Together they look like this:



And one more thing for now- don't worry about mixing tartans. It was actually normal. The period styles are jokingly referred to by reenactors as a "tartan mess." There was no such thing as a clan tartan, there were no issues with wearing one tartan for a kilt, another for socks, a third for your doublet, and fourth for a waistcoat!

[Robert Phoenix]

Celtic Croft has a decent pair of Sodhopper type boots for only $200.

http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/highland-footwear/boots/new-premium-top-grain-leather-boots.html

[Nighthawk]

Celtic Croft has a decent pair of Sodhopper type boots for only $200.

http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/highland-footwear/boots/new-premium-top-grain-leather-boots.html

That's another case where they're really cool (I personally want a pair!) but not at all historical. I get the impression that the OP wants to be more or less historically accurate. If that's the case, these are not the boots to get. On the other hand... if we're just going for a bada** look, those would sure fit the bill!!

[groomporter]

Latchet shoes are a bit more 17th century, but would be an option as well. You can simulate them by modifying a pair of "Romeo" style slippers, but removing the elastic and adding the "latchets"
http://leatherworkingreverend.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/seventeenth-century-latchet-shoes-part-1/

[Jack Daw at Work]

A pair of these, and what-ever 'leggings' you can muster are the real deal.

http://www.arrowmoc.com/pt.html

[Nighthawk]

A pair of these, and what-ever 'leggings' you can muster are the real deal.

http://www.arrowmoc.com/pt.html

Dude!! Those are PERFECT!! I want a pair!

[Jack Daw at Work]

The leggings can be what are called 'moggins' - just cloth wrapped around the calves and held on by other stitching or the thongs of your shoes.  For the colder months of the TX Ren Fest, my latest purchase is to craft some moggins from some sheepskin pelt.  I just a large enough piece from eBay for less than $100.

[SethB]

These are what I wear with my kilt: http://www.medievalmoccasins.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MM&Product_Code=BOOT

Historically accurate? Probably not, but they look damned good and are very comfortable.

[Jack Daw at Work]

SethB, I also have a pair of these, and I agree, they are comfortable and cool-looking.