'Black tie' questions

[CMcG]

As far as I know, solid colour hose are perfectly acceptable with black tie attire. Personally, I prefer a darker shade and, to that end, have a pair of navy hose, but there are other options. I'd like to get a pair of charcoal hose or maybe a nice deep red.

If you look on eBay, you could probably find a pair of second hand diced, tartan, or Argyle hose for half of what Kinloch Anderson charges for new, solid colour ones. I did! Some people on Xmarks like patterned hose with formal wear and some people don't. I like to keep my options open

As for the shirt, I think you can't go wrong with the marcella/piqué, studs, and turn-down collar. A pleated front is another option and that is what I have.

[Chas]

I only wear a wing collar for white tie events. A fold down collar for black tie.

Regards

Chas

[Tobus]

From what I've gleaned over the years, I think you're spot on. A turn-down collar shirt with studs is perfect for black tie. Solid-colour hose (anything but white) is perfectly acceptable, and probably even the best choice if you're trying to be conservatively within tradition. I don't think matching tartan hose are too much for black tie, but that's just me. If anything, I think tartan hose are perfect for black tie and diced hose are perfect for white tie.

Personally, I dislike black hose almost as much as white hose. Too extreme. I much prefer a middle-of-the-road approach with a colour that is neither too loud nor too boring.

[creagdhubh]

From what I've gleaned over the years, I think you're spot on. A turn-down collar shirt with studs is perfect for black tie. Solid-colour hose (anything but white) is perfectly acceptable, and probably even the best choice if you're trying to be conservatively within tradition. I don't think matching tartan hose are too much for black tie, but that's just me. If anything, I think tartan hose are perfect for black tie and diced hose are perfect for white tie.

Personally, I dislike black hose almost as much as white hose. Too extreme. I much prefer a middle-of-the-road approach with a colour that is neither too loud nor too boring.

***

The late David Gordon Allen d'Aldecamb Lumsden of Cushnie, Garioch Pursuivant to the Chief of the Name and Arms of Mar, ever so smart in his traditional manner of wearing Highland dress.


With all due respect towards the late Lumsden of Cushnie, wouldn't you agree that it's a bit contradictory that he deplored the wearing of off-white kilt hose, as he can be seen wearing a pair in the photo below. I think in this particular context of traditional Highland day attire, he looks quite smart and the off-white hose work well with his overall outfit.


A few more photos.




Cheers,

[Tobus]

With all due respect towards the late Lumsden of Cushnie, wouldn't you agree that it's a bit contradictory that he deplored the wearing of off-white kilt hose, as he can be seen wearing a pair in the photo below. I think in this particular context of traditional Highland day attire, he looks quite smart and the off-white hose work well with his overall outfit.

I'm not familiar with what he actually said about white or off-white hose, but it looks to me like the hose he's wearing in the photo you posted may actually be more like oatmeal or a light tan/khaki or tea-stained colour, with perhaps the colour being washed-out a bit in the sunlight. And while I also tend to dislike white or cream hose except in rare circumstances, I do own a pair of light tan hose. I rarely wear them (in fact, I haven't even seen them in quite some time and had forgotten about them until now), but I think it's dark enough that it doesn't give off the same look as white/cream. Especially, as you said, with daywear. Personally, I think he looks great with those hose and wouldn't think twice about wearing some like that.

Which is the long way of saying no, I don't think he's being contradictory.

[creagdhubh]

I'm not familiar with what he actually said about white or off-white hose, but it looks to me like the hose he's wearing in the photo you posted may actually be more like oatmeal or a light tan/khaki or tea-stained colour, with perhaps the colour being washed-out a bit in the sunlight. And while I also tend to dislike white or cream hose except in rare circumstances, I do own a pair of light tan hose. I rarely wear them (in fact, I haven't even seen them in quite some time and had forgotten about them until now), but I think it's dark enough that it doesn't give off the same look as white/cream. Especially, as you said, with daywear. Personally, I think he looks great with those hose and wouldn't think twice about wearing some like that.

Which is the long way of saying no, I don't think he's being contradictory.

Tobus,

I think Cushnie looks great too and I actually did mention that above. Hmmm...perhaps Cushnie's hose are indeed more of the oatmeal/light tan colour, just washed out a wee bit from the sunlight and the photograph, as previously stated. In the long run, I guess it really doesn't matter too much. I also own a pair of oatmeal/light tan coloured hose and have worn them on occasion, but not often. There's nothing wrong with the oatmeal/light tan hose at all and I do agree with your points regarding the more off-white/cream coloured hose that are typically a lighter hue.

Me (center in the fawn Balmoral) wearing hose in the oatmeal/light tan colour.


Cheers,

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

***



With all due respect towards the late Lumsden of Cushnie, wouldn't you agree that it's a bit contradictory that he deplored the wearing of off-white kilt hose, as he can be seen wearing a pair in the photo below. I think in this particular context of traditional Highland day attire, he looks quite smart and the off-white hose work well with his overall outfit.

Cushnie was one of my dearest friends -- and I can assure you that the hose David is wearing in this picture are tan, not off white! (And yes, he really did hand out cards that had ACBW printed on them!)

[creagdhubh]

Cushnie was one of my dearest friends -- and I can assure you that the hose David is wearing in this picture are tan, not off white! (And yes, he really did hand out cards that had ACBW printed on them!)

Wonderful!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

A few words about David Lumsden of Cushnie, and his famous ACBW cards, would seem to be in order. For those who didn't know David, I should like to point out that he was a most genial gentlemen. At 6'4" tall, and a former athlete (played polo, rowed at Cambridge), to mention nothing of his time in Africa during the Mau Mau rebellion where he actively engaged the insurgents in the bush, David was more than capable of dealing with those he deemed offensive, especially if they became physical. I well remember a September evening in Edinburgh when David and I were waiting for a taxi and David was accosted by a thick set man in his thirties who obviously thought he was tougher than the 60+ year old Baron of Cushnie. Annoyed that Cushnie was ignoring him, the thug made the grave error of poking David in the chest with his finger. Fast as lightning David grabbed the man's arm, spun him around, dislocating the thug's shoulder, and rammed him face-first into the lamp post at the taxi rank. The confrontation was over in a few seconds...

If the recipient of one of David's ACBW cards asked of its meaning, David would, in the most jovial (and conspiratorial) manner gently explain why "white socks" weren't "the done thing". No one, at least as far as I'm aware, ever took offense at David's rather amusing "sock lectures", and if they had, I'm sure he would have been the first to apologize for having caused offense when he merely meant to tease.

I'm also quite sure that he'd have had no trouble putting down anyone who wanted to express their sense of indignation in a physical manner.

[creagdhubh]

A few words about David Lumsden of Cushnie, and his famous ACBW cards, would seem to be in order. For those who didn't know David, I should like to point out that he was a most genial gentlemen. At 6'4" tall, and a former athlete (played polo, rowed at Cambridge), to mention nothing of his time in Africa during the Mau Mau rebellion where he actively engaged the insurgents in the bush, David was more than capable of dealing with those he deemed offensive, especially if they became physical. I well remember a September evening in Edinburgh when David and I were waiting for a taxi and David was accosted by a thick set man in his thirties who obviously thought he was tougher than the 60+ year old Baron of Cushnie. Annoyed that Cushnie was ignoring him, the thug made the grave error of poking David in the chest with his finger. Fast as lightning David grabbed the man's arm, spun him around, dislocating the thug's shoulder, and rammed him face-first into the lamp post at the taxi rank. The confrontation was over in a few seconds...

If the recipient of one of David's ACBW cards asked of its meaning, David would, in the most jovial (and conspiratorial) manner gently explain why "white socks" weren't "the done thing". No one, at least as far as I'm aware, ever took offense at David's rather amusing "sock lectures", and if they had, I'm sure he would have been the first to apologize for having caused offense when he merely meant to tease.

I'm also quite sure that he'd have had no trouble putting down anyone who wanted to express their sense of indignation in a physical manner.

Thank you for sharing this, Scott!

Best wishes,