Checked Hose... when??

[IsaacW]

My wife recently knit me a pair of wonderful checked hose (white and blue). I absolutely love them but am seeking advice on when to wear them (or with what). I have seen them, on this site, explained as being worn with more formal attire. Something about the extreme pattern seems a bit less formal (although I am usually wrong). I am also afraid of the fact that most checked hose I have seen on people have been on pipe band members of soldiers. Am I wrong to feel ackward for this reason?

Thank you.

Isaac

[McMurdo]

Issac, perhaps photos of your new hose would help. They sound like diced hose to me but can not be sure. If so they are mostly reserved for formal wear. Below is a photo of my diced hose, now I know Matt Newsome will wear his in a daywear situation and there is evidence to support this, however I prefer to wear them for formal wear

[MacLowlife]

Don't be confused by the pattern/ formal part. They are suitable for all formal occasions. I am given to understand that patterned hose are usually reserved for dressier occasions because they are inherently expensive. I would add that some diced/ checked/ argyle/ tartan hose look slightly less dressy if the colors are more muted- in the same way that some hunting tartans seem slightly less dressy. Depending on how bright that white is, yours may or may not fall into this category.

I believe the current thinking in some quarters is that, good looking as they are, patterned hose ought to be worn as much as is practical- but see above regarding expense.

Before going any further, be sure to thank your wife again and tell her how much you love the hose. If you poke around the internet you will find several poignant stories about people who died saving something for a special occasion - and never got to enjoy it. SO, wear them as often as you can, with pride and gratitude, but bear in mind that these are your "good" hose and ought not to be worn for washing the car, shoveling stalls, etc.

Watch the space below for more advice, possibly contradicting mine...

[piperdbh]

My neighbor from the Palmetto state speaketh wisdom. Nothing more need be said.

[IsaacW]

Here is the best photo I have handy. It is from earlier in the year (JUST after she finished them), I wore them to work (I teach High School).

[Father Bill]

Very handsome. Your lady is incredibly talented. Give her lots of hugs!

[Jack Daw]

Wow! I like those! What did your students say?

[IsaacW]

Very handsome. Your lady is incredibly talented. Give her lots of hugs!

I certainly will, and YES... she is talented and a "keeper!"

[IsaacW]

Wow! I like those! What did your students say?

Students... they are pretty used to me being the strange and unpredictable. Most of them loved it, some were a bit weirded out.

IW

[piperdbh]

Those hose were made from Joannie Newsome's "Large Shepherd's Plaid" pattern posted on Ravelry. They're a lot of work to make, and your lovely Mrs deserves a very nice (expensive) token of thanks.