Diced hose

[Sir Didymous]

Okay, I know that diced or tartan hose are expected for white tie events. I have further seen them worn at black tie functions and even as part of smart day wear, but is there a time where they are inappropriate? I know that they are considered costumey as part of the pirate/Jacobite shirt look (that whole look is costumey). But is there a time where they are considered too much in the more accepted range of kilt attire?

[ASinclair]

Personally, I follow the 20th century convention that tartan hose and diced hose are formal wear, and solid color hose are informal, day wear. But I'm an old guy and current 'authorities' say you may wear tartan hose and diced hose whenever you like, so if you have tartan hose or diced hose and want to wear them informally, go right ahead.

[OC Richard]

Yes in the "modern traditional Highland Dress" which has come down to us from the early 20th century there were three distinct modes, each with its dedicated shoes, hose, sporran, and jacket, and the mixing of these things was avoided.

The previous period, say, c1840-1900, was rather different, with less clear-cut distinctions, with long hair sporrans and tartan/diced hose commonly worn in all modes.

The distinction between the c1900-c1960 period and the c1840-c1900 period can be summed up in two images





I myself rather like going back past that c1900 barrier and being a bit looser with things.

[Thomas H]

OK is it OK then to wear dice hose with day wear as I love that look . And side note ,is it OK to wear a long hair sporran with day wear ?

[Jock Scot]

OK is it OK then to wear dice hose with day wear as I love that look . And side note ,is it OK to wear a long hair sporran with day wear ?

If that is what you want to wear then do so. However you will look, at the very least, rather theatrical.

[Ron Abbott]

If that is what you want to wear then do so. However you will look, at the very least, rather theatrical.

.........to put it mildly.

[Jock Scot]

.........to put it mildly.

British understatement my dear chap, remember the British understatement!

[Pipersson]

Here are two pages from MacKinnon's book "Tartans and Highland Dress" - a very good book in any case - where he gives a statement.
A dress occasion - which can also happen in day time - requires dress hose...simple.
Maybe not common today but correct.
(By the way he also suggests to wear the Argyll which he calls "dress jacket" with a jabot!)

1.jpg2.jpg

Finally to me kiltwearing is not so much about following rules but about feeling comfortable.
(but some need rules to feel comfortable...)

Tom

[McMurdo]

I know that they are considered costumey as part of the pirate/Jacobite shirt look (that whole look is costumey). But is there a time where they are considered too much in the more accepted range of kilt attire?

I would say as part of White tie or even Black tie diced or tartan hose are fine, and not costumey at all. Of course if you wear them with a Jacobite shirt it will look costumey, but then anything would. As for when they are too much I think they are too much for day wear. As I have said in the past it is important to make sure not to mix formalities, if you do you open up the door to looking like you are wearing a costume.

[Ron Abbott]

I have to say that diced hose look superb with evening dress, and on some occasions whether they match the tartan or not. Especially when worn with buckled shoes.

However there are occasions when even they look rather weird. The Royal Scottish Pipers Society wears green and white diced hose when in evening dress. With most tartans it looks fine, but there are some tartans it almost looks as if the wearer has colour blindess issues.

I'm not sure what they are called, but the plain day wear hose with checks (rather than dicing) on the foldover/tops can look great with day wear.