Kilt hose observations

[Mark Keeney]

Back to Kilt hose - All kilt hose look thin and only barely turn over when they are stretched around my huge calfs. I have knitted a pair myself and they look good but without buying hanc knitted they all look thin.

[Nanook]

Back to Kilt hose - All kilt hose look thin and only barely turn over when they are stretched around my huge calfs. I have knitted a pair myself and they look good but without buying hanc knitted they all look thin.

I don't agree. Have you tried House of Edgar or Hawick? Unless you are sized like Ronny Coleman (23 inch calves) I can't see them stretching to be "thin".

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Not sure what people mean when they say "cheap hose" since you can pick them up at the mill for fairly inexpensively (£4). Bought online and shipped to the US, 4 pair will run you roughly $13 a piece postage included. They aren't hand woven or anything, but they are the real deal. Decent Hose in the States cost around $20 at most retailers.

Of course, some snobs might scream that there are synthetic fibres in these hose, but the manufacturer does sell them under a brand name. Which can't be mentioned at those prices.

So, I am not sure why people wear everyday dress socks under these circumstances, or even the crappy rental hose out there.

On the other hand, you don't need to blow £200 for hose. US$20/£10 can pick up some decent hose that will last.

[toneinedin]

Not sure what people mean when they say "cheap hose" since you can pick them up at the mill for fairly inexpensively (£4). Bought online and shipped to the US, 4 pair will run you roughly $13 a piece postage included. They aren't hand woven or anything, but they are the real deal. Decent Hose in the States cost around $20 at most retailers.

Lets be honest, what kind of hose can you expect for £4.00 ? Its not really a realistic price for socks of any description although i wouldnt suggest every should wear £100 kilt hose it is obvious you cannot really compae the two. We are too accustomed to cheap imported chinese clothing which is often just disposable clothing to see the value of a pair of hand linked argyll hose made in merino wool in a british factory paying decent wages.

As for the shoes i saw pictured, they might not be ghillie brogues but they were a fine looking pair of shoes and a heck of alot better than alot of so called ghillie brogues one can see people wearing.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Back to hose !
I often make a compromise in buying Swiss mountain walking hose AND add home made knitting to make it tip-top.

[string]

Back to hose !
I often make a compromise in buying Swiss mountain walking hose AND add home made knitting to make it tip-top.

Those are lovely! and that is an excellent time saving idea.

[cacunn]

Back to hose !
I often make a compromise in buying Swiss mountain walking hose AND add home made knitting to make it tip-top.

I have always appreciated dual tasker. Hose toper have been one of the things on my mind. A plain pair of hose with a simple design could be turned into evening hose by the addition of hose toppers with an entrelac design or some other pattern. It would be a simple way for someone on a budget to go more formal at a lower cost. Or, someone traveling could have a couple of hose toppers wash their hose at night and with the addition of another hose topper have a different set of hose.

[McMurdo]

Harwick seems to be a mixed bag. I have some pairs of heavy cashmere/silk (50/50) hose and socks from them that are absolutely wold class. Most of the socks I've more recently seen in shops, by contrast, seem nice but common polywool (and vastly inferior to my "more common" hose from Hose of Edgar). At the other end , however, I've heard that they've taken to make some socks of out Vicuna wool-- not that I've ever buy a pair. Corgi is another company that have made some fine kilt hose over the years but today seems to offer a mixed bag (from high end to mass market).

Nanook
Do you recall what it is that you write up? First you reply to me by saying that in your experience Hawick hose are a "mixed bag", then a few pages later you are recommending them to someone...

I don't agree. Have you tried House of Edgar or Hawick? Unless you are sized like Ronny Coleman (23 inch calves) I can't see them stretching to be "thin".

I think there are times when you are contrary just to be so, if in fact, as I have stated Hawick Hose are some of the best on the market for the price point why would you disagree with what I had to say about them?

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Because some people like being contrary. I'm glad you like Hawick, but you're going to have to dig to find the manufacturer's outlet!

[gilmore]

Because some people like being contrary. I'm glad you like Hawick, but you're going to have to dig to find the manufacturer's outlet!

I wrote them and received this reply:

<<<We have an agent in the USA who will be able to help you, his details are:

Jeff Robertson
Caledonian Fine Arts
12 Hatchetts Hill Rd
Old Lyme
Connecticut CT 06371

Tel 860 434 8899>>>