Is there any hope or help for cheap hose?

[Tobus]

I have a pair of cheap cream kilt hose that's a blend of wool/acrylic/nylon/polyester. It was the first pair of kilt hose I bought, before I discovered the wonders of thicker knitted colored hose with a higher wool content.

I know a lot of people refuse to wear cream or white hose, and stick only to real colors. I am kind of moving that direction myself, but would perhaps like to have the one set of cream hose in reserve, in case I ever feel it would be appropriate with something.

But my complaints about this pair of hose are that they're so thin, they look like glorified gym socks (as someone else put it in another thread). The ribbing on the leg doesn't really stand out. And the decorative stuff on the turn-down lays so flat it's not noticeable. They just look like a pair of long white socks folded over, if you see them from more than two feet away. But worst of all, they're so thin that they 'print' the shape of the garter around my leg (especially the hooks where the elastic connect), and you can see the shadow of the flashes through the turn-down. The material feels very elastic and just doesn't have any body or bulk to it.



I didn't really notice it until I started wearing higher quality hose that seemed to have more bulk to them, especially at the tops. I have skinny bird-legs, so any help I can get to make my calves look more manly would be good.

So this pair really doesn't get worn any more. But I hate to throw them out.

Aside from spending big bucks on hose cuffs to cover the tops up, is there anything you'd recommend? I was thinking that I could maybe take some 1/4" thick batting or thin foam and cut it into strips that could go inside the turn-down. This might give it some bulk and hide the printing/shadowing of the garters and flashes. But I don't know if it would just end up looking stupid. Like padding a bra or something.

Is there any way to save these hose and make them look better at the tops without spending an arm and a leg?

[bricelythgoe]

Where did you get these hose from?

[Big Mikey]

PM sent.

[Tobus]

Where did you get these hose from?

They're the ones Rocky sells for $9.99 a pair. I don't wanna knock him or his products, though (I'm not even sure who the manufacturer is). There is nothing "wrong" with the hose; they're worth what I paid for 'em. It just turns out that I prefer thicker hose.

[Heming]

Many people will like thin hose, but if you don't I can't see what you can do other than buy thicker hose... To me, the bottom line is "will I wear this", and if the answer is "in a pinch" then I donate the item to charity and move on.

[KFCarter]

I'm not sure you'll get a satisfactory result trying to "rig" something up... they are what they are. I suggest you set these hose aside for hot weather use and save up for some hose with substance.

[Chas]

I recommend Big Mikey.

Regards

Chas

[Tobus]

Looks like Big Mikey's hose cuffs may be the answer. Thanks guys!

[lethearen]

Additional options: If you're just concerned about colour, maybe you can dye them. Ritts (?) dye can be found at most supermarkets and only costs a buck or so.

If they're just really too thin to be worn well, could you use them as hose liners on really cold days? I.e. wear them under your normal hose to add some extra warmth and reduce any irritation your nice woolies might cause.

[ShaunMaxwell]

If you're wanting help to bulk up your calf, you might consider wearing piper hose, which are longer and fold over multiple times. I've gotten to where I wear them almost all the time when kilted.

I know the Scottish Tartans Museum giftshop and the College of Piping both sell them in colors as well...