Need help! (White hose and in-laws)

**carlb** · 26th November 13, 07:08 AM

Last Christmas, my mother-in-law gave me a pair of kilt hose. She didn't know I had a kilt; she thought they were a "down-payment" for when I actually got one. Not quite joke gift, but not entirely serious either.

They are, of course, white.

We'll be spending some time with them around New Year's, and I plan to be kilted at least some of the time (Dunedin, FL seems an appropriate place to do that, don't you think?) I feel like I should wear the hose she gave me at some point; my mother always made sure that, as kids, we wore gifted items in the presence of the gifter, and I guess it stuck.

So, is there anything I can do to either tone them down, or otherwise soften their effect? I have one kilt (in the German Heritage tartan; see profile photo), and not much else that's kilt-specific in my wardrobe. I tend to wear it in casual-ish environments with just a polo shirt, a solid-colored button-down long sleeve shirt, or a solid-colored sweater. I have both black and brown leathers.

At the risk of being too "matchy" I wondered if I wore a white shirt if it would help - the hose wouldn't be the only white piece of the ensemble, and so maybe wouldn't stand out quite so much. Every other combination I can think of would leave the white hose popping out kind of garishly.

Any and all advice or comments are more than welcome.

**Chas** · 26th November 13, 07:25 AM

Depends on what they are made of, but you could try dying them. If there is any natural fibre in them they will take some dye, but they will end up a lot lighter.

Personally I would not wear a white shirt with them. You might have to just bite the bullet and wear them as is.

**artificer** · 26th November 13, 07:26 AM

They were a gift,
wear them to make the MiL happy. Wear whatever you'd wear for the rest of the outfit.

Enjoy the holidays without worrying about the hose.

ith:

**Father Bill** · 26th November 13, 07:27 AM

Just wear them a few times, then let them disappear into the "rarely used" category. After the dust settles, then you can try the dye!

**carlb** · 26th November 13, 07:33 AM

Oh, they will definitely be a one-time-only thing. And, yeah, Artificer, I'm not really going to stress about it; just looking for tips.

**GRKilt** · 26th November 13, 08:32 AM

Depending on your style and the event, maybe wear them with boots, scrunched down. That will reduce the impact of all that white! Also, make sure to wear them ironically. You know they are 'wrong' but nobody else will.

**Kilted Cole** · 26th November 13, 09:23 AM

I'll be honest....I do wear white hose. BUT, I tend to wear them with my Doc Martens and scrunched down for a more casual look. You could do that if it would ease your mind. As the above post has mentioned....it also takes away the "pipe band" look.

**Panache** · 26th November 13, 09:59 AM

Carl,

I advise you to wear your white hose and be happy to have family that is supportive of your interest in highland dress!

Personally I think a white shirt is a good idea. I would also wear a tie with the shirt as, to me, white hose are not the best for casual wear. In general I no longer wear white hose save for when participating in my SCD demonstration team, but here here is an example for an outfit from a few years back.

I would still wear such an outfit and feel that I was well turned out.

Enjoy the holidays and remember that white hose given by family with love are far better than just the "right" colored ones you got online or off the shelf.

Cheers (and Happy holidays!)

Jamie

**carlb** · 26th November 13, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

Carl,

I advise you to wear your white hose and be happy to have family that is supportive of your interest in highland dress!

Personally I think a white shirt is a good idea. I would also wear a tie with the shirt as, to me, white hose are not the best for casual wear. In general I no longer wear white hose save for when participating in my SCD demonstration team, but here here is an example for an outfit from a few years back.

I would still wear such an outfit and feel that I was well turned out.

Enjoy the holidays and remember that white hose given by family with love are far better than just the "right" colored ones you got online or off the shelf.

Cheers (and Happy holidays!)

Jamie

I agree - they are exactly the "right" color considering the source and the thought.

Your pic above has given me ideas. I think a tie will be too "formal" for anything we're likely to do, but a sweater or vest over a white shirt might do the trick. Some white up top to support the white of the hose, but then another garment to break up the large amount of white from the shirt.

Thanks all, for the help.

**Panache** · 26th November 13, 10:06 AM

One more thing...

White hose are neither "wrong" or "right", they are just long socks that happen to be white in color. I have seen a lot of them worn over the years. I have seen them worn well and worn poorly. Don't worry about them being "wrong" or "right", just worry about coming up with an outfit you think looks good.

Cheers

Jamie