what kilt hose to wear?

[Philip S. Tibbetts]

I find the whole issue abit confusing - I knew that white hose were reserved for pipe bands but was of the opinion that cream was perfectly valid.

I recently appeared on the BBC in my kilts with the cream hose, I did have one person suggest that I should be wearing black with the black kilt and blue with the blue kilt.

Would have these coloured hose not make my flashes (in those tartans) 'invisible' and spoilt the overal effect?

I want my 'look' in the kilt to be quite distinctive with a nod to heritage though not held by it. Restrained but distinctive and 'clean'. That's why i don't think I'll get diced or tartan hose as I think it would detract from the kilt and be too fussy.

Depending on what people say about my above question I may get some pairs of coloured socks, if at least to be able to provide a little variation in my outfit from time to time. Though I do remain convinced that the outfit looks good with cream hose.

[Nanook]

I find the whole issue abit confusing - I knew that white hose were reserved for pipe bands but was of the opinion that cream was perfectly valid.

It is.

I recently appeared on the BBC in my kilts with the cream hose, I did have one person suggest that I should be wearing black with the black kilt and blue with the blue kilt.

No. As mentioned in an earlier thread, I think black hose should be generally avoided by all but those with suitable leg muscle and skin tone... and perhaps even by those. A solid black kilt with black hose can work for some and look very good but not for most.. and when it does not work it looks bad. Some blues can work great with a black kilt. Green hose is a natural for a blue kilt.. Why self-coloured? How about diced or argyle hose with solid flashes to match a minor line of the sock pattern... Solid kilts are, despite history, fashion kilts and so are less bound to rules :-)

Would have these coloured hose not make my flashes (in those tartans) 'invisible' and spoilt the overal effect?

Invisible? Solid red flashes, for example, look good against green tweed hose when worn with kilts with dark greens and a red line. Green flashes against blue hose when worn with a blueish tone tartan etc. Tartan flashes.. Not my cup and not all tartans, I think, are good for flashes but some can look great if worn with hose set in the right colour.