Kilt Hose Dissatisfaction

[berserkbishop]

Ok, first my disclaimer. . . this is not intended to knock the product sold by USA kilts. . I just happened to purchase their particular standard hose. I have grown used to wearing over the calf socks and rugby socks with my kilt and found them very comfortable and functional. I decided that I would spring for some "authentic" hose from USA kilts. I dont like the Authentic hose. First problem is that they dont stay up. They are constantly inching their way down my calf forcing me to pull them up nearly every time I stand. Maybe I just have too small of calfs but i am not satisfied with that aspect. They also just dont fit right. They bulge down by my ankles because my foot is not 2 feet long and the sock that is supposed to be on my foot rises up to my ankle. Another issue it they just dont cut the mustard for holding my necessay "kit." (thanks for whoever introduced me to that term. All I ask is that they hold my cell phone. Its not much bigger than a dubh, but my hose will not hold it steady. It either slides the hose down my leg or the phone flips out as I walk. Never had this problem with my unauthentic socks. . . . Thats my two cents. Any suggestions are welcome.

P.S. I love the look and the workmanship of the hose from USA kilt. Cant beat the look I just wish they were practical for me.

[davedove]

Do you wear flashes with them? Their original purpose is to hold up the hose.

[berserkbishop]

Do you wear flashes with them? Their original purpose is to hold up the hose.

I dont wear flashes on a regular basis no. . . just for dress even. I think the hose may be alright for dressier events when I use my flashes. I just wanted to take these on a dry run to college and it is cold. . very cold today. I figured they would be a warmer alternative to my rugby socks but perhaps I am just asking for too much from the humble kilt hose?

[ugm84]

Most of the hose I've purchased need to be held up with flashes unless I scrunch them down. I think with the rugby athletic socks, you have a tight enough elastic in them to hold up a cell phone.

But I use my sporran for cell phones/wallet/misc items.

[McFarkus]

I dont wear flashes on a regular basis no. . . just for dress even. I think the hose may be alright for dressier events when I use my flashes. I just wanted to take these on a dry run to college and it is cold. . very cold today. I figured they would be a warmer alternative to my rugby socks but perhaps I am just asking for too much from the humble kilt hose?

You are asking too much (see Howard Clark's post). If you don't like wearing regular flashes you might try the ties that Matt Newsome has at the Scottish Tartan Museum. http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/garters.html (see traditioal garter ties). You could probably improvise something like this yourself. I suspect that the flashes we are used to were originally scraps of tartan which thrifty Scots used to hold up their hose. Matt even has instructions for tying them.

[Howard Clark]

The more traditional kilt hose do not have much, if any elastic in them, depending on which you buy. If you like the compression fit, and do not want to mess with garter ties or flashes, then I would advise stayng with the rugby socks.

I don't like the compression fit athletic socks as well myself, and prefer to use the more traditional hose with garter ties (usually) or flashes if I am going out and about and wish to look nice. That said I do wear athletic socks without flashes or garter ties from time to time.

They aren't going to stay up like athletic socks do, they are just not the same thing.

[Moosedog]

Yes, wool hose will not stay up like synthetics. For casual wear you could try a simple garter tie and just tuck the ends under.

I generally can improve the overall fit of wool hose by washing gently and reshaping carefully while wet to make the foot smaller and the ankle taper in more. If they are way too big I might wash in warm and even dry them for a couple of minutes, this shrinks down the wool fast. BUT I also work with wool a lot and am willing to mess with this stuff--it's easy to "overdo" and end up with felted mini-socklets.

Moosedog

[McMurdo]

I have found that this ebay seller is very good and the cost is reasonable, also they ship quickly and have many different colours. As they are synthetic/wool blends they tend to stay up pretty well.

[CameronTaylor]

I have found that this ebay seller is very good and the cost is reasonable, also they ship quickly and have many different colours. As they are synthetic/wool blends they tend to stay up pretty well.

Aye, I'm quite happy with my Brewins.
Also: www.sock-dreams.com are wonderful, mine stay up and are super comfy.

CT - sock it to me

[Tattoo Bradley]

An easy fix is to just take the "flashes" off and use the elastic bands to hold the hose up. You won't be able to tell they're there from a visual aspect.