Tartan hose vs plain hose

[Bugbear]

Actually, I don't knit, so never mind what I was saying.

One other thing, I was planning on adding a cuff to the cadidh, so they would not look like knee socks.

[JSFMACLJR]

Hi Timothy,

While I genearlly think tartan and diced hose should be left for the evening, a friend of mine from South Uist (who you may know) has been known to wear diced hose in the daytime, even at the Argyllshire Gathering. He almost always is impeccably dressed.



Best regards,
Sandford

[Larry124]

Hi Timothy,

While I genearlly think tartan and diced hose should be left for the evening, a friend of mine from South Uist (who you may know) has been known to wear diced hose in the daytime, even at the Argyllshire Gathering. He almost always is impeccably dressed.



Best regards,
Sandford

"...almost always..."
Wow. Different appreciation of style for sure. I view that outfit as mismatched and overly busy. Or is that what you meant?

[JSFMACLJR]

"Almost always" -- but perhaps not on that occasion...?

I think he looks very well dressed, actually, although I'm not a fan of plum coloured shirts!

[1MUNK3]

I like everything about the gentleman's outfit except for the plum shirt. Other than that it is quite right. I don't see a problem with wearing diced or tartan hose anytime really. I don't understand why people think their use (diced, tartan) should be so limited. I wish I saw more of it. I know cost is a limiting factor though and that's rather sad.

[macwilkin]

"...almost always..."
Wow. Different appreciation of style for sure. I view that outfit as mismatched and overly busy. Or is that what you meant?

Actually, "mismatched and overly busy" is quite correct for traditional Highland dress; see David Morier's contemporary painting of Highland clansmen at Culloden (with Jacobite prisoners serving as models) as an example of "mismatched" attire.

Personally, I rather like this gent's attire.

T.

[JSFMACLJR]

Actually, "mismatched and overly busy" is quite correct for traditional Highland dressT.

Exactly! That's what so many who have never spent time in the Highlands fail to grasp. Things just don't "have" to match.

[Larry124]

Actually, "mismatched and overly busy" is quite correct for traditional Highland dress...

Similar to the flamboyance or idiosyncrasy allowed for golfing outfits?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I agree there is a place for tartan hose during the day but for a more formal occassion, ie weddings etc. Not with a tweed day jacket at your local games.

I would disagree. The gentleman with his back to us in the below photo is Alistair Buchan, owner of Lochcarron of Scotland. (A lot of you have kilts made from his fabric).


This was taken at the Stone Mountain Highland Games a few years back. I frequently see Alistair at the Games wearing Argyle hose and a tweed jacket (almost always with a waistcoat, if I recall correctly). He always presents a very professional and well-put-together image.

I really see no reason why Argyle hose couldn't be worn during the day with a tweed kilt jacket, especially if one has dressed it up with waistcoat and tie, as Alistair almost always does.

~M

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The only thing wrong with this picture is that the hose are too short, by about 3 inches (7.25cm). The cuff should meet the pattern of the tartan, not show a gap (as is the case with this gentleman's hose).