what kilt hose to wear?

[Bugbear]

I usually do have the wrong opinion, so I have to borrow someone else's. I also have learned to edit or leave out several things that I know would not go over well, but that would be all right to say.

One or two of those involve cream colored hose...

[Bugbear]

I would probably get the most use out of the dark gray lewis hose. While saving up for diced hose.

I am under the impression that only dark shades of colors for hose should be used with the non-casual attire; for example, bottle green rather than lovit. Am I mistaken?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Ok, so I'm going to seek the advice of the more experienced here... I realize this thread has dealt primarily with what is appropriate with formal wear, but I sense a measure of opposition to creme/oatmeal colored kilt hose in general. I have a couple pairs of these which I wear on a fairly regular, casual basis. I do have matching flashes for all of my kilts to bring the ensemble together, naturally. I also have a pair of black and a pair of green hose I wear depending on the kilt as well. My question is simply that in most cases, the higher quality creme hose are what come recommended to those new amongst the kilt world... are they generally frowned upon by those who are more 'in-the-know', even for casual wear? I have enough fashion sense not to wear creme hose with a white shirt or other truly white articles of clothing for obvious reasons, but I don't understand the underlying opposition in general.

I think the reason most of us fuddy-duddy trad types advise against white/creme hose is that no matter how expensive (or cheap) they are, they look rented or they look like the wearer has just come from band practice. For the same amount of effort and cash outlay coloured hose look better (insofar as they don't look rented), and mark the wearer out as someone who knows a bit more about fashion and style than the fellow who sold him the socks.

As I said to Nanook on another thread, creme hose always look like white hose that have "gone off colour". The same can't be said for oatmeal, tan, or any other positive colour. It's my opinion, and one that I share with a lot of other men on this forum, that even for casual wear the kilt demands colour, something white/creme socks fail to provide.

Unless one is in a band, or suffering from a tropical foot disease, I can think of no reason for wearing white hose.

[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.

[Galb]

When my wife and I were going to a Christmas party this past year, I was a bit torn on this same question. I was wearing a white dress shirt, red tie, black vest, and my Galbraith kilt. I was torn on the socks. Do I go with black, or the cream? I went with the cream. I tend to like to match my hose to my shirt. As my wife said "it frames the kilt perfectly with the white shirt and hose." I also looked online and saw many a man in a prince charlie with white hose. Granted, I was not THAT formal, but it looks good. There is something very nice looking about the cream hose with black shoes, and black vest/jacket combo.

Another thing to think about is if you are wearing ghillies. If you are, the white or cream hose offsets the black laces to give it an even better look.

In the end, it is about preference and what you like. If you like the cream hose with the formal items, then go for it. Some here will tell you to stay away from the cream hose. Others, like me, appreciate the look and the contrast. In the end, no one is going to tell you any differently, so choose based on what looks best to you.

[Bugbear]

See that's why I have been causing such a fracas over all this. There are fine details of formal Highland attire, so it seems, that one must learn from those who know these things rather than just reading a black tie manual.

I think I'm going to aim for the diced hose (if and when) I put together a formal outfit. That might be when I sell the "farm."

[RamsayClanCommish]

When I officiate dmy cousins wedding I wore a black waistcoat, gray long sleeve shirt, Ramsay Blue kilt and black kilt hose. I thought it looked good. I dont have tartan hose. I only have 3 pair..cream, black, and navy.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I'll second McMurdo. There are some who claim Argyle (tartan) hose should be reserved for evening wear, but I don't subscribe to that opinion. They evolved from the tartan cadadh that were worn on all occasions, so I beleive they can easily be worn for daywear, which the above photos illustrate well.

[Phil]

I'll second McMurdo. There are some who claim Argyle (tartan) hose should be reserved for evening wear, but I don't subscribe to that opinion. They evolved from the tartan cadadh that were worn on all occasions, so I beleive they can easily be worn for daywear, which the above photos illustrate well.

I quite agree, although it is not traditional in Scotland to wear tartan hose with daywear such as a tweed jacket. Also at £100 a time I think most Scots would opt for the more (financially) sensible choice of self-coloured hose for daywear.