Smartness in kilts

[David E]

Hi folks,

Not posted for a while (wife said she wasn't seeing any of me - always on that .... forum!).

Anyway, I have a question to ask:

Do you think its possible to be "smart" in a kilt without wearing "over the calf" kilt hose?

Reason I ask is that, now that summer is coming (well at least in this hemisphere...), kilt hose is becoming a little warm to wear, especially during the day. The wearing of short socks or rolling down the kilt hose looks more "casual" to me (and I do wear short socks this time of year).

If you wanted to go for the "smart-casual" look (none of my kilts are appropriate for very formal occasions) is it a must that the kilt hose is "over the calf"? For example, we have a smart-casual policy at work, and it would be nice to wear a kilt to work during the summer and get the benefit of being cooler than if wearing trousers, but you'd lose the benefit if you were wearing kilt hose.

Opinions gratefully received....
David.

[bubba]

The way i see it, there are a couple options. You can wear over the calf hose that aren't wool, some lighter and cooler material, or just go ahead and wear shorter socks. I don't think it really much matters as long as you look reasonably neat.

[Calico Jack]

If you weren't In th UK, I would recomend a pair of Baseball socks. They are the same thickness as a regualr pair of socks (sometimes thinner) and they go right up to the knee.

[Colin]

I do think it is possible to be smart in a kilt without over the calf socks. Of course, low white socks in dark loafers always look odd with any little bit of leg. You could always try rugby or football (soccer) socks, as they are a bit more breathable and a lighter material.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

In all the time I've been around this, it's virtually impossible to wear lower shoes and shorter socks with a kilt, and not look like a lunatic or a cross-dresser. Either that, or it just looks ragged.

It IS, however, possible to wear tall(ish) boots and have the socks just peek-out over the top. the only reason for the socks is to keep the boots from rubbing your legs.

Thinner socks CAN look kind of whimpy, unless you have some girth to the calves. You're better off just having the socks be the same height as the boots.

Just my own take in what I see out there.

[Casey]

I agree with Colin. It's Barbarian rugby socks for me.

Now if it's that warm. Sandals! And one never wears socks in sandals! I make sure the rest of the outfit is masculine to avoid the crossdresser image.

Casey

[Blu (Ontario)]

In all the time I've been around this, it's virtually impossible to wear lower shoes and shorter socks with a kilt, and not look like a lunatic or a cross-dresser. Either that, or it just looks ragged....

I tend to agree for the most part. Regular or ankle socks tend to look "not quite right" to me. The rolled down kilt hose looks fine with the right boots but only proper kilt hose goes with shoes IMHO.

[Graham]

Hi there David, I wondered where you had been, I was thinking of you just yesterday.

short socks are not "smart" IMHO, a kilt and short socks is casual for me. I spend more time in short socks than long kilt hose.

But then, this is Australia, more casual than many places.

[Robbie]

Hi David -

Here in the UK "smart casual" is much more conservative than that favoured by our neighbours across the pond and for office wear shoes, not boots, are the preferred choice - however short socks do not go with these and rolled down hose just looks sloppy. Sandals with a kilt (with or without socks) are a definite no-no under almost any circumstances.

If you find ordinary hose too warm I have found the best alternative to be lightweight knee length socks which are long enough to give a good turn-down at the top. These are widely available in a good selection of colours to tone with your kilt from the ladies/girls section of most good, and not so good, stores, and the ones I have I purchased at a local weekly street market.

[Alaskan]

I would definitely say do not roll down kilt hose. Here in Japan, it used to be the fashion (and there are still some stragglers) for high school girls to wear "loose socks" which if extended would go well above the knee, but they bunched them up much lower. Add to that fact that a lot of the high school girls uniforms are plaid pleated skirts, and if you wore your kilthose rolled down you would probably look like a Japanese high school girl.

As someone mentioned high boots with normal socks look good (see Samuel L. Jackson in The 51st State aka Formula 51 aka Chemical 51). However, I would just call that casual... not "casual smart."

I think that the best idea is, as some have mentioned finding calf high socks such as soccer or rugby socks... though it may be hard to find any without stripes or corporate logos on them.