Here is my take.

Stop thinking about what rental businesses do because of the bottom line and feeling superior to them.

OK?

No, you haven't done it. You are still feeling smug and superior. I want you to clear your mind of all preconceptions about cream and white hose.

OK?

Much better.

Now think about your kilted outfit.

Are white hose going to work with YOUR outfit or not?

It is as simple as that.

I have previously mentioned that formal outfits have a wonderful balance of balck, white, and the vivid tartan. White hose can work just fine. Even more so if you are planning on wearing formal ghillie brigues as the lacing will show up magnificently against the white. Now diced hose or matching tartan hose are going to be even sharper. But it will be at the sacrifice of that simple balance of black, white, and tartan.

For non-formal outfits I would ask you to think about the tartan in question . I was recently given a purple based tartan kilt by my wife. I don't have purple hose, but the tartan has white and black in it. I have worn it now with both black and purple hose and the white work just fine.

My point? Rather than take either the rental shop's position as white (or off white) as a one-color-fits-all solution, or a reactionary "it's commonly used so it must be wrong" attitude, try to see white and off white as an option. Just like red, lovat blue, purple, or maroon. It's just a color. Use it as an option as needed and appropriate.

Just my thoughts.

Cheers

Jamie