A Hose too long

[AKScott]

Maybe I need to learn to do this. How many fingerwidths (about) should I (usually) be able to fit between the bottom of my kneecap and the top of my hose? Three-ish?

[Jock Scot]

Maybe I need to learn to do this. How many fingerwidths (about) should I (usually) be able to fit between the bottom of my kneecap and the top of my hose? Three-ish?

I notice that kilt hose tends to be worn rather too high these days, so I would go 4+(ish) large fingerwidths.

[AKScott]

I notice that kilt hose tends to be worn rather too high these days, so I would go 4+(ish) large fingerwidths.

My hose are definitely long enough to fit someone much taller than me. I shall commence practice directly.

[OC Richard]

I notice that kilt hose tends to be worn rather too high these days

Yes indeed!

In this as in so many other aspects of Highland Dress, the Army tends to preserve the older ways.

Note how much knee is showing in this photo of Army Pipe Majors (and Drum Major) from the 1960s:



Contrast this with a modern civilian pipe band, with low kilts and high hose and little or no knees:

[Tobus]

I notice that kilt hose tends to be worn rather too high these days, so I would go 4+(ish) large fingerwidths.

I find the finger-width measurement to be sort of misleading, since everyone has a different thickness of fingers and not everyone has the kind of knee that makes for a good reference point.

A more understandable guideline (for me) is that the hose should come just high enough to allow the garter to be tied above the widest part of the calf. Looking at the military pipers above, this seems to be the rule they follow.

*edited to add: I have the same problem with most hose being made for someone way taller than me, even if I get the foot size correct. And finding an attractive way to fold it over is difficult, depending on the type of hose top. This is why I'm really liking custom-made hose more and more, where I can specify not only the foot size but the overall height.

[auld argonian]

Well, I got a pair of the Gaelic Themes piper hose and they were generally a tad too large both in the foot and length wise...I did order the size suggested for my shoe size...

So....stand by for some sacrilege...I washed 'em in the machine with a regular load of dark clothes in cold water and THREW THEM IN THE DRYER! Not once but a couple of times...they have shrunk a bit and are now a better fit. Bear in mind that these do have some synthetic in them besides the wool and your mileage (and dryer) may vary...I have a "low heat" setting on mine and use that for jobs such as this. Worked well, though. When they get to the point where I'm sure that they're tuned up, I'll start throwing them over the clothesline instead.

Best

AA

[SlackerDrummer]

I did order the size suggested for my shoe size...

In US or UK sizes?

[auld argonian]

In US or UK sizes?

US...I'm pretty careful about that.

Though, I gotta tell ya...it'd be better if the whole world went over to the Euro shoe sizing system...I've found that I have to buy running shoes and hiking boots according to the Euro size rather than the US size if I expect them to be even close to a good fit.

Best

AA

[Spc. Scott]

Well, I got a pair of the Gaelic Themes piper hose and they were generally a tad too large both in the foot and length wise...I did order the size suggested for my shoe size...

So....stand by for some sacrilege...I washed 'em in the machine with a regular load of dark clothes in cold water and THREW THEM IN THE DRYER! Not once but a couple of times...they have shrunk a bit and are now a better fit. Bear in mind that these do have some synthetic in them besides the wool and your mileage (and dryer) may vary...I have a "low heat" setting on mine and use that for jobs such as this. Worked well, though. When they get to the point where I'm sure that they're tuned up, I'll start throwing them over the clothesline instead.

Best

AA

Ha! I knew I wasn't the only one who did this!