Matching Kilt Hose

[PatrickHughes123]

Hello rabble!

I have a question, is it incorrect in modern kilt wearing to wear matched tartan hose? It used to be in the past that Highlanders didn't wear matching hose. This is something that I've been going back and forth on for a good bit now, I just can't decide. I don't have tartan hose, but will do in the future. I think that it is perfectly fine to wear non-matching hose but can't decide if it also applies the other way.

[Manu]

I believe tartan hose (matching or not) are saved for the higher end of black tie and white tie occasions. Is it done outside of that context? Some probably do, but it will be outside of highland kilted attire conventions.

[The Wizard of BC]

May I ask for just a little clarification please. When you say matching, do you mean hose in a color that matches the color of your kilt or are you perhaps using the word matching to mean the same tartan as your kilt?

[Tarheel]

Patrick here is my take on matching hose with a kilt.
Here is a shooting sock with the colors of a kilt and other colors that give different texture to the overall look.
Here is an Argyle pattern that can match the tartan colors or compliment a kilt's secondary shade.

Many will look to these fine details in hose.

[Manu]

When I hear matching tartan hose, I think of the gentleman in the very front row. Is it not?

[Tobus]

It used to be in the past that Highlanders didn't wear matching hose.

What makes you think that, if I may ask? As far as I can tell, history is full of examples of Highlanders wearing hose that either match their tartan exactly or come as close as they can in a knitted pattern.

It is the modern tradition that seems to reject Argyle/tartan patterned hose for anything but the most formal of occasions. But still, it's not that they don't wear them; they just wear them selectively.

I think that it is perfectly fine to wear non-matching hose but can't decide if it also applies the other way.

*edited to add:

Just to clarify, the modern tradition is that patterned/diced hose are reserved for formal occasions or military uniforms. I do own a pair of Argyle/tartan hose that match one of my kilts, but rarely find occasion to wear them (my stepdaughter's evening wedding was the only time I felt they were appropriate).

Some people do wear plain hose with a patterned top cuff, and that seems somewhat more acceptable than full-blown patterned hose. Also, separate hose top bands have been tried out as a passing fad as you can see in the image at the top banner of this page. But for the most part, the modern tradition is pretty well limited to plain self-coloured hose for most occasions.

[Tobus]

When I hear matching tartan hose, I think of the gentleman in the very front row. Is it not?

Perhaps Patrick could clarify his meaning, but I take it that way as well: patterned hose that are a near match to the tartan.

A couple of historical examples from Kenneth MacLeay's Highlanders of Scotland, published 1870 (there are a lot more with matching hose, but these are just a taste):

Note - these fellows were obviously dressed in their finery for the portraits, and one should not assume that these would be everyday clothing choices. I only post them to show that Highlanders did, indeed, wear matching hose.

[McMurdo]

My take on it is that Argyll hose are correct for Black or White tie wear, not sure if that's modern or not, but in general that is where these fit, here are a couple of photos of what I mean.







Here is a photo from Burns Night this year, my hose are matching Argyll hose and Kit is wearing the Gordon tartan with Argyll hose that do not match.



This one was from a Black Tie dinner at Nathan's home you can see several different ideas on hose from matching, to not matching to diced or solid hose.



Of course diced hose work well also if thats what you mean



Honestly most of this would be considered traditional kilt wear as these hose are mostly reserved for black or white tie. I have recently tried Argyll hose with day wear as I was given this pair and thought they worked well with my recently purchased Hunting Stewart kilt



I suppose if you like them go ahead and wear them, but they are expensive which is one big reason why they are used for formal occasions.

[PatrickHughes123]

May I ask for just a little clarification please. When you say matching, do you mean hose in a color that matches the color of your kilt or are you perhaps using the word matching to mean the same tartan as your kilt?

I mean tartan hose.

[figheadair]

It used to be in the past that Highlanders didn't wear matching hose.

You don't quantify 'the past' but assuming that you mean pre mid-18th century, some did.

7th Earl of Wymess - Allan Ramsay c1748 - B&W.jpg

Kenneth 3rd Lord Duffus.jpg

James Moray, Yr of Abercairney c1750 by William Mosman.jpg