Greetings,

Well, I just received my fourth pair of bespoke kilt hose from Almost Unwearoutable (AUW) today, and thought I’d share a bit of a review. I am quite certain that several members of the rabble have heard of this Northumberland based company before, as many of you are already regular patrons. For those of you who aren’t too familiar with AUW and the sort of products they sell, I have included a link to their website below for more detailed information.

I am a loyal customer of AUW for one reason and one reason alone...bespoke kilt hose...handmade to the highest standard and quality. Not all of my hosiery worn with Highland dress is bespoke, as it can become quite expensive if I decided to go that route completely, but it is a delightful experience to have kilt hose made to your own specifications. I think for many, their first experience with custom made kilt hose is usually in the form of diced or ‘Argyll’ style hose to be worn with Highland evening attire – I know this was my first experience with ordering bespoke hose.

Initially, I was inspired by HRH Prince Charles and his lovely chequered top kilt hose that he almost always wears whilst wearing Highland dress in Scotland. HRH has an array of colour and style combinations, yet it seems that HRH typically adheres to the chequered, or coquet pattern for the cuffs of his hose. I have always admired the look and I know that many members of the rabble have also.

The hose I received today from AUW are made in this style, with chequered cuffs in a single colour of dark red and the base colour of sage, which is a bit like an olive-moss green, but not quite a Lovat green. AUW offers their kilt hose and country socks in a variety of patterned tops, but I find the chequered pattern to be the most attractive. You can opt to have the hose made in either a 4 or 8-ply with the latter being about twice the thickness of the 4-ply and designed to be worn with Wellys, or any other type of outdoor boot. The 4-ply is designed to be worn with shoes, such as your typical leather brogue; however, I have a mixture of 4-ply and 8-ply hose from AUW and find the thicker sock to be much more my style and slightly more comfortable. I would compare the 4-ply thickness to be about the same as House of Cheviot’s Lewis line, if not just a wee bit thicker, but not by much.

The foot of each sock is reinforced and feels equally great in both Wellys and leather brogues. The ribbing on the hose is absolutely gorgeous and the fact that each pair is completely handmade, with exquisite attention to detail, is evident. The fit is perfect, which is to be expected since they are bespoke to my measurements. The measuring is easy too. Much in the same as bespoke evening hose. All AUW requires is your heel to top of cuff measurement (I always opt for the top of the hose to hit at about two-three finger widths below my kneecap), foot measurement, and calf circumference. Ms. Victoria Robertson of AUW is also quite a delight to deal with and makes ordering very quick, easy, and painless. From the date of ordering to today, the date I received the hose, was about 25 calendar days.

So, if you are in the market for bespoke kilt hose (or will be in the future) for basically any type of occasion, but specifically for your Highland day attire, then be sure to check out Almost Unwearoutable. I highly recommend them and their products are truly, almost unwearoutable!

The newest addition to my bespoke hose family in sage and dark red, 8-ply wool/polyamid.


HRH Prince Charles demonstrating his chequered top hose very well. HRH's hose appear to be rather thick too.





http://www.almostunwearoutable.com/k...ngs/440881936/

Kind regards,