Hose up....hose down

[Robin]

Just wondering...

When I wear low shoes...hose down (or short socks) doesn't look good...well..that's what I think when I look in the mirror.

High shoes/boots...hose down look perfectly fine...again...that's what I think when I look in the mirror.

To me this is optical, but it's also a (minor) burden, because when it's hot I don't always want to wear boots or high rise shoes...but hose down is of course less warm.

On this forum I see pictures of sandals and flip-flops...I perfectly understand, but I think they look terrible with a kilt...I'm not a fashion geek, but when I stand in front of the mirror and I don't like it...well...it's no option.

I'm hopeless...I know

What do you guys think?

[bubba]

I think some sandals look fine with a kilt. I'm wearing my sandals today, no hose. Temperatures are going to be crowding 100 and humid and I'm not going to suffer to fit an image. IMO the heavier looking sandals work fine with a kilt.

[Pour1Malt]

ai wear boots wi low hose nay matter whit the temp is....

ai am considerin guid heavy leather sandals wi no hose though...

it is possible...

[pdcorlis]

I've seen plenty of photos with gents wearing kilts and sandals - I won't say it looks terrible but I have to admit I don't see me wearing sandals with my kilts. I suppose that paints me in the traditionalist category but there you have it.

I agree with Robin that its a visual thing. I think a kilt needs a good solid anchor to look masculine - boots or shoes with hose provides that visual anchor. One exception might be something like a pair of Keen cap toe sandals - discussed in a earlier thread.

[Kilted KT]

boots - hose up or down.
low shoes - hose up
sandals - I don't wear them.

for really tall boots, I always wear them down.

[starbkjrus]

Robin,

I think you're right -- you're hopeless.

[auld argonian]

I don't wear sandals...never have. As far as wearing thm with a kilt...personally...don't like the look at all.

It's pushing 100 F here in Chicago today and I'm wearing a USAK casual...socks (or hose...I just can't call them hose...) are wool...I think that that's part of the trick to wearing socks in this kind of weather...I've been wearing wool socks almost exclusively for years and they are always comfy no matter what the weather. I've found some Wigwam brand merino wool socks that are fantastic for everyday wear and the Bridgedale over the knee socks that I have are like 90% wool...scroonch those babies down and you're still fine with boots on.

Best

AA

[Scottish Chi]

It's up in the high 90's or 100 with the usual 90+ humidity in my area. In the summer I am almost always in sandals though not always kilted.

Although it may have been posted in the past could any of the historians enlighten me on how the feet were covered long ago other than running around bare footed? For sure they didn't have Dr Martens or hiking boots.

Cheers! Bill

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I posted some thoughts on the socks up/socks down issue in my blog a while back:
http://blog.albanach.org/2006/04/new...ock-style.html

I, too, think that to pull this look off requires a boot of some type. It's a visual thing. Also, this is definitely a casual look. Not for formal wear.

As for me, I consider myself a kilt traditionalists and on a hot day in the summer, and I am dressing casually, I will wear sandals in a heartbeat. Nothing wrong with it. Again, this is for casual wear only. With a t-shirt, polo shirt, or a casual short sleeve button shirt.

Highlanders were known historically for going bare-legged after all!

One of my favorite MacIan prints, the MacQuarrie, shows the figure in mid-calf boots and no hose!
http://albanach.org/macquarrie/MacQ.jpg

Aye,
Matt

[Kilted KT]

I would like to ammend my previous statement..

I don't wear flip-flops ( or thongs in some areas). A decent leather sandal would work well ( like some that birkenstock or sketchers put out)

but those foam flip-flops...I just can't stand them..