When to wear my new hand knitted hose

[JonathanB]

This is just for interest, as I am very unlikely to be attending a black tie event in the forseeable future.

But as a matter of interest, I have bought two pairs of hand knitted socks. I specified the length (which is a great plus) and also the colours.

One pair was meant to coordinate with my Cornish Hunting kilt



and one to coordinate with my Black Watch (I overdid the enhancement in Photoshop - the colours are less bright in reality and my knees less pallid.)



I'm really pleased.

But my question for this august and knowledgable body is: Could I wear them with formal wear?

[piperdbh]

Sure, you can wear them with formal wear. They look really nice. Where did you get them?

[Tobus]

I may be in the minority (I often am), but I don't really think of patterned-top hose as being anything other than daywear. For formal occasions, you'd want to go with full-blown patterned hose, not just a patterned cuff. Decorative hose tops just seem to fall short of "formal" to me.

I know the Duke of Rothesay wears patterned-top knit hose with his daywear, even "dressy" daywear. It can be a great look.

[Jock Scot]

I am not particularly keen on patterned hose tops, they are neither fish nor fowl, in my view-----I probably see too many out shooting----- but for me, they are daywear.

[MacRobert's Reply]

All a matter of personal taste, but I really like the diced tops. They are more appropriate for day wear with tweed and not the best choice with formal evening wear.

[Nathan]

I really like patterned hose tops. Of your two pairs, I especially like the ones with the checkerboard pattern. I'd say day wear for both of your pairs although John the Biker has a pair of dark ones with Argyll pattern tops which I thought looked very smart for less formal black tie in the picture he posted in the overdoing it thread.

[creagdhubh]

Well done, Jonathan! Lovely hose, mate.

May I ask, is the second pair (in sage) of hose with the chequered tops from Almost Unwearoutable? Judging by the photo, they look like they are. All of my hose with patterned (coquet; 2 colour style and 8-ply) come from them and they are absolutely top-notch! I only wear mine with my Highland day attire (with tweeds) and never for black or white tie affairs. It is my personal preference that either solid coloured, Argyll style, or diced hose are far better suited for formal functions, especially the latter two. Naturally, this is simply my opinion on the subject.

Cheers,

[JohntheBiker]

Like so many things, I think it depends. The hose that Nathan referred to are black with an Argyll pattern top that was ordered to match the tartan. In this case, I was trying to give the hose some visual interest. My fully accessorized formal outfit would have matching tartan hose.

[JonathanB]

Well done, Jonathan! Lovely hose, mate.

May I ask, is the second pair (in sage) of hose with the chequered tops from Almost Unwearoutable?

Spot on, Kyle. I wasn't sure whether I could mention the firm by name here. The first pair are a unique pattern. I'd ticked on the website for Coquet pattern (the diced pattern in the sage pair) but specified that I wanted a band of black and red (meaning alternate squares) and black and white (picking up the colours from the tartan).

That was interpreted as bands of black, white and red. All my own pattern.

My feeling is that they might be a bit rustic for formal wear, but the sage pair with Coquet pattern would be more appropriate.

I like them and mean to get a claret pair in due course.

[creagdhubh]

Spot on, Kyle. I wasn't sure whether I could mention the firm by name here. The first pair are a unique pattern. I'd ticked on the website for Coquet pattern (the diced pattern in the sage pair) but specified that I wanted a band of black and red (meaning alternate squares) and black and white (picking up the colours from the tartan).

That was interpreted as bands of black, white and red. All my own pattern.

My feeling is that they might be a bit rustic for formal wear, but the sage pair with Coquet pattern would be more appropriate.

I like them and mean to get a claret pair in due course.

Wonderful! Excellent choice, my friend. I started a thread concerning Almost Unwearoutable some time ago, and there have been other discussions and threads concerning their patterned hose, since several members are keen on them. I really like the colours you chose for the tops, well done on that. I too have a sage coloured pair, but with the coquet pattern in dark red and sage. I have thought about have a pair made utilising three different colours for the pattern, just as you have, and may do that in the future. I have other pairs too in various colours and maintaining the coquet (chequered/diced) theme. I probably wouldn't branch out and try another pattern, even though Almost Unwearoutble offers quite a nice variety to choose from.

One thing is for certain, these hose are absolutely well made and are meant to last forever! They truly are, "almost unwearoutable!"

Cheers,