A decent alternative to hose?

[MacMillans son]

I think, given your overall casual look, the hose work just fine Clockwork. Although, it is my opinion that once out of the traditional Highland attire mode, anything goes as there is no base line to compare anything too. You are either within the boundaries of tradition (allowing for personal flair) or you are outside of tradition where anything goes. To be clear, that's not a judgement of your choice of going casual, I frequently wear a kilt with activity appropriate accessories like hiking boots and a fanny pack for instance, it's just my opinion of what works and how to know if it works or not.

For what it's worth, a few of our members have posted photos of themselves in tartan kilts and those toe shoes (NO, not the ballet kind the other kind!

Regarding my opinion of the overall look, if you choose to wear a belt I think a wider one may be a better look. And if wearing high hose/socks I would typically wear them a bit lower relative to my knee cap (3 fingers or so below). But again once outside the box of tradition, it's all up to you what looks right.

If I didn't say so in another post, welcome aboard and best of luck in you kilting!

[Chas]

It just shows how my mind works when I am tired. When I saw the title "A decent alternative to hose?" - I thought that you were going to get your legs tattooed!

Regards

Chas

[Clockwork]

I think, given your overall casual look, the hose work just fine Clockwork. Although, it is my opinion that once out of the traditional Highland attire mode, anything goes as there is no base line to compare anything too. You are either within the boundaries of tradition (allowing for personal flair) or you are outside of tradition where anything goes. To be clear, that's not a judgement of your choice of going casual, I frequently wear a kilt with activity appropriate accessories like hiking boots and a fanny pack for instance, it's just my opinion of what works and how to know if it works or not.

For what it's worth, a few of our members have posted photos of themselves in tartan kilts and those toe shoes (NO, not the ballet kind the other kind!

Regarding my opinion of the overall look, if you choose to wear a belt I think a wider one may be a better look. And if wearing high hose/socks I would typically wear them a bit lower relative to my knee cap (3 fingers or so below). But again once outside the box of tradition, it's all up to you what looks right.

If I didn't say so in another post, welcome aboard and best of luck in you kilting!

I think your perspective of casual vs traditional is a good one. I guess it comes down to "wear what you will" the casual style. Depending on the situation, I may eventually sport the toe shoes (excellent for hiking imo), but I am still a little surprised that other people have worn them, especially with a tartan kilt. I don't think it's a bad thing by any means, it's just not something I had expected. I also agree on the belt, and do have one on the way. I will probably try having the top of the socks a little lower as well, and see how I like it. Thanks for the advice, and thank you for the welcome!

And don't worry Chas, I'm sure it could have been a much worse interpretation. Besides, if the right person reads your posts, they may try it and a new trend of tattooed hose may begin. Wouldn't you like to take credit for that?

[Dajo95]

Nice kilt and I really like the socks too. Like others have said don't be afraid to scrunch them if you want to feel a little more casual. I might wear them like you do if I could stand them up for so long. Lol. Good job

[Clockwork]

Nice kilt and I really like the socks too. Like others have said don't be afraid to scrunch them if you want to feel a little more casual. I might wear them like you do if I could stand them up for so long. Lol. Good job

Thank you sir! I will admit, they can get a bit warm when they're up, which is great in the winter, but not so much in humid summer heat. I can definitely see your point there.

Martainn, I guess the saying is true, that form follows function. I suppose that for the more open-minded individual, the combination may not seem so odd or may even make sense from a purely functional perspective. But around here....well let's just say that I haven't seen another kilt to date and the folks around here like their guns. I don't want to startle them too much! We'll see how they handle the idea of a kilted fellow first.

And Kiltbook - thank you for the information! I'll be definitely be checking out those links. I need some better socks for summer time, as the ones in the pictures are UnderArmour winter socks (all I had of that length). I do think that is a good combination of kilt and socks you picked out.

Alas, I have just received my black 100% hemp Rkilt and am awaiting my kilt pin and sporran to arrive. I'll post a picture soon with that stuff and with the socks from these previous picture for the sake of diversity to see how those socks do with something non-tartan.

[Alan H]

By way of answer, I can just tell you what I do.

If I'm wearing a "better quality" tartan kilt...as in wool and 6 yards+, I tend to put on "real" Kilt sox even if I'm just going to work or knocking around town that day. If I'm going to a "Scottish Function" where I expect to stay reasonably clean, and I'm wearing this kilt, then I'll wear "real" kilt sox.

If I'm wearing a polyester-viscose kilt or a wool/polyester blend kilt for some sort of athletic endeavor in a Scottish setting like throwing at the Games, then I'll use something like those acrylic soccer sox, or inexpensive wool blend kilt sox, which happen to be white. They're pulled up and usually worn with flashes.

If I'm wearing a polyester-viscose kilt or a wool/polyester blend kilt at work or around town, then I usually wear the acrylic sox, or the inexpensive wool kilt socks, scrunched down with black "combat" boots, which are really boots made for service guys like UPS delivery guys...stuff like that.

If I'm wearing a cotton/poly contemporary kilt (not tartan, so roughly analogous to your R kilt) for something "rough and outdoorsy" like backpacking, then I wear footwear appropriate for what I'm doing, and I wear sox to match, and hang what anybody thinks I "ought" to be wearing or what I look like. If I wear the same cotton/poly kilt to work or around town, I usually strap them on with black combat-type boots and scrunched-down acrylic soccer sox or maybe the wool hiking socks.

[Fat Irish]

Clockwork,
My oppinion is irrelevant as I am new here and still a newbie to being unbiforcated. However, I think the pics are fine. I too am limited on budget and cannot go out and get top notch everything. That being said, I want to say I really appreciate your desire not to do anything to besmurch the kilt wearers. I also have thought about this and just try to do the best I can with what the situation, and my budget allows. Also, kuddos to all the other posters for helping support Clockwork (and others like him such as myself) with the positive feedback and constructive resposes.

Joe

[mookien]

Joe: Your opinion is just as relevant (perhaps not as knowledgeable) as anyone else's. But, that never stopped me!

You and Clockwork are going to get along just fine on this forum. Once you're kilted the rest is kind of 2nd-order significant. Just keep reading, posting, and sharing your pictures. Can't wait.

John

[Clockwork]

Thank you for the ideas, Alen. Although I may not make use of all of them, I may refer to some of them later for ideas. That will probably end up being the case too, because I'm new to the kilting experience and maybe build a small, but diverse collection over time.

Thank you for the kind words Joe; I as long as we carry ourselves about in a respectful manner, I think we could provide some positive PR, even when improvising here and there. Still, I believe that function should be first, comfort should be second (although this usually compliments function), in fashion should be third in the order of importance; even with being the least important in my book, I still try to remain conscious of my aim to represent kilts in a socially acceptable way. Oh, and how could I forget - have fun and enjoy the freedom!

John - you got it! Like I said, once my sporran comes in, I'll post more pics. The Jonesing at this point is almost unbearable.

At this point Mike, I find my interest particularly biased toward contemporary/casual wear, but I admit more time I spend on XMTS, the more I become fascinated by the other styles. I've grown especially fascinated with the great kilt because of its basic, yet functional use. Never in my life did I know that a large blanket could serve so many purposes. I've learned a lot from the short amount of time I've been lurking and active on here; it's great!

[MacGumerait]

Clockwork ,

Keep on keeping on ! I too like the contempoary/casual wear .

I was raised around my Scottish family ( they were imigrants, I'm 2nd generation American, my grandparents and the rest from Scotland ) and have great appreciation and respect for the traditional side , however , I also like the contemporary / casual style . I wear both and like both looks .

I've only been a member here since Feb ( been kilted way longer ) and have found that everyone here are good folks , some may be passionate in their opinions but that's okay and a good thing . Also , as you have stated , there is always something to learn here . That is true, no matter who you are or how long one has been a kiltie !

Welcome to the rabble and welcome to the Jonesing ! Currently Jonesing myself , over a particular rustic / casual kilt belt on order !

Best to ya , Mike