White socks

[jhockin]

?.. in some parts of the Scottish Highlands and Islands there is a very conservative part of the Christian community where the kilt is not necessarily viewed with enthusiasm, particularly at funerals.

If you would ,Jock, purely for the edification of those of us who have not grown up in Scotland, but may one day visit, could you tell us where, and why?

[Jock Scot]

As I hold no truck with religion of any sort I don't think I can tell you the "why", but I can give you a very rough idea of the 'where'. The Western Highlands and the Western Isles(Hebrides mainly) is probably regarded as the stronghold of the "Wee Frees", but there are ,I think, pockets of supporters dotted around Scotland. Before someone jumps down my throat, I understand that particular description is not encouraged these days, but that is what they have been known as up till now. As I understand it, they are of a Protestant persuasion. I am sure if you google "Wee Frees" you will get a much fuller explanation than I am able to give.

[Dollander]

Okay, I did google it, and essentially they're Evangelical Presbyterians.

But back to the topic at hand, I'm guessing that the reason the hire companies go with white hose is not a matter of aesthetics but simply practicality: unlike colored hose, white ones can be cleaned with bleach and thus properly sanitized after prolonged contact with such a potentially unsavory part of the body. But seeing as how Scotweb has the Gaelic Themes hose for under £15, perhaps they could just add the price of the hose to the fee and allow the customer to keep them afterwards. Is that a lot to tack on to a rental fee? I've no idea, as I've never rented a kilt outfit, or indeed any clothing since the tuxedo I wore to my then-girlfriend's junior prom in 1993. Or again, maybe it's the practical matter of not needing to have all the various colors and sizes in stock and instead keeping it simple by only offering the most neutral option.

Meanwhile, if I may go off on my own side topic...why exactly do we hate cravats? I'd think it much more aesthetically viable to have a shorter tie when one is wearing a kilt at full rise.

[David]

I have noticed that here in the central belt, black is becoming the new white as far as the kilt hire shops are concerned. I wonder if in 20 or 30 years people will be saying that black kilt hose should be avoided at all costs, and giving the same reasons as are now given for not wearing white hose. I'm not keen on (plain)black hose for what I see as the wedding hire outfit connection, but I recently got myself a pair of black ones with argyle tops.

[Terry Searl]

Okay, I did google it, and essentially they're Evangelical Presbyterians.

But back to the topic at hand, I'm guessing that the reason the hire companies go with white hose is not a matter of aesthetics but simply practicality: unlike colored hose, white ones can be cleaned with bleach and thus properly sanitized after prolonged contact with such a potentially unsavory part of the body. But seeing as how Scotweb has the Gaelic Themes hose for under £15, perhaps they could just add the price of the hose to the fee and allow the customer to keep them afterwards. Is that a lot to tack on to a rental fee? I've no idea, as I've never rented a kilt outfit, or indeed any clothing since the tuxedo I wore to my then-girlfriend's junior prom in 1993. Or again, maybe it's the practical matter of not needing to have all the various colors and sizes in stock and instead keeping it simple by only offering the most neutral option.

Meanwhile, if I may go off on my own side topic...why exactly do we hate cravats? I'd think it much more aesthetically viable to have a shorter tie when one is wearing a kilt at full rise.

The second time I rented a PC kilt outfit I was charged for the white/cream coloured stockings and told to keep them, the charge was $12.00CAN. so it wasn't a big deal. Now that I have my own Kilt attire I also have 4 different colours of stockings and am amazed at the difference the colour of stockings can make to the attire. If it is coordinated with the colour of shirt worn that can be attractive but isn't necessary in my opinion. My hose is quite different in the knit pattern as well as the colours......some fancy some not so..... My mood dictates what I will wear

[dcommini]

I have noticed that here in the central belt, black is becoming the new white as far as the kilt hire shops are concerned. I wonder if in 20 or 30 years people will be saying that black kilt hose should be avoided at all costs, and giving the same reasons as are now given for not wearing white hose. I'm not keen on (plain)black hose for what I see as the wedding hire outfit connection, but I recently got myself a pair of black ones with argyle tops.

I mentioned this earlier in the thread, but when I first started wearing the kilt I was often told that black hose should be avoided at all costs, save for funerals. This was mentioned to me a lot because I often wore black hose as I thought they looked better.

So some people apparently already have this attitude concerning black hose, but I wouldn't be surprised if, like you say in a few decades, people regard black hose more widely with the same disdain they do with white hose. Mainly I think some people just want to complain.

[neo71665]

I mentioned this earlier in the thread, but when I first started wearing the kilt I was often told that black hose should be avoided at all costs, save for funerals. This was mentioned to me a lot because I often wore black hose as I thought they looked better.

So some people apparently already have this attitude concerning black hose, but I wouldn't be surprised if, like you say in a few decades, people regard black hose more widely with the same disdain they do with white hose. Mainly I think some people just want to complain.

When I first got my Baird kilt I was told to avoid black hose. Ended up with navy hose to wear with it, I wanted a purple to match the stripe in the kilt and yet to find one that matches to my tastes. When I got my black modern kilt I got some black and charcoal hose and like the black better.

None of my kilts I think white hose would even look good with so I haven't ever felt the need to own a pair. I might be biased because I have never liked any white clothing. I don't even wear white shirts or shoes. I have been looking at some lighter gray, oatmeal, or even cream hoses.

[Crawdaddyjc]

Right now i have that off white color (ecru?), oatmeal, and black. I plan on ordering from j. Higgens: bottle green, charcoal, navy, and lovat blue. I also would love to get a deep or dark red to match the red in the crawford tartan. Step by step i will get there. But along the way i will stay away from the white!

[The Q]

I have a pair of Black hose which I wear with my Black Stewart Kilt,
A pair of Green and gold( off yellow ) for wearing with my Hunting Stewart Kilt
A pair of Red and Gold for wearing with my Dress Stewart Kilt,
I also have a pair of Ecru (off white ) which I can wear with the off white back ground of the Dress Stewart kilt. But bright white would just bring attention to my big feet.

As to Jocks Comments about the "Wee Frees" which I agree with.

Protestantism / Presbyterianism spread from the south of Scotland in the 1500s. At that time the highlands were viewed by the majority population of Scotland, as a savage, uncultured area. When the early Presbyterian reforms took place, the kilt was seen as a non Christian form of dress for heathens (The Catholics as seen by them).
So the kilt was not being repressed not just by the effect of the Jacobites rebellions, but many years before that (nearly 200 years), by the Presbyterian church of Scotland. Later splits in the way the church was governed led to the creation of the Free Church of Scotland.

This very conservative group has a large following in many highland areas, when posted to the outer hebridies, we were warned not to travel around on a Sunday, nor to hang out washing on a Sunday, as the Base Commander was fed up being lectured by the local Free church minister..

[sergeantmike]

I prefer to wear black hose on formal occasions. Not right or wrong, just my preference. I do not care for the look of white kilt hose in formal attire. I like something that enhances the tartan in one's kilt. This is just my opinion. I am not the kilt police. If you like white hose, by all means wear them.