so this is what we've come to? (Prince Charlie)

**Tobus** · 11th December 13, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

Given my druthers, I'd either go one extreme and wear a PC with a snazzy waistcoat (to avoid the sometimes-decried uniformity yet still have my feet firmly planted in tradition) or a completely modern (and respectable) garment [that fits THCD criteria] that has yet to be invented (and, in all seriousness, needs desperately to be invented for the 21st century).

What?! Methinks you're completely missing the point. How can you invent a garment that's modern yet fits THCD criteria? It's either one or the other. Traditional is, by definition, not a new modern look.

Doublets, in my opinion, are too militaristc and a bit costumey (not to mention dated). Then again, these to-dos often really are just a grownup's occasion to play dress-up. Lol.

BELIEVE ME--the kilt will turn enough heads without the jarring effect of archaic (anachronistic?) clothing designed to be elegant in its day and in danger of teetering on irrelevant today. K.I.S. (Keep It Simple.)

While it can be dangerously easy to over-do a formal rig with a doublet, I strongly disagree that a doublet is automatically anachronistic or costumey. It is very traditional and quite striking. If you don't like doublets, that's cool; you're entitled to your own opinion. But if you think the doublet is "in danger of teetering on irrelevant today", you're simply in your own special world, and not at all in touch with the real meaning of THCD.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 12th December 13, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Starhunter451

I thought that the hose was to match the tartan or black. Am I wrong?

Not excactly "wrong" per se. With formal Highland attire tartan and argyle pattern hose, or diced hose, are to be preferred -- if you have them. If not, then a dark conservative colour is the best choice, whether or not it matches your kilt. Light colours and "bright" colours are best reserved for day wear. White and off-white hose, although seen in many ads, are best avoided as they tend to give one's outfit a "rented for the event" look.

**Starhunter451** · 12th December 13, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

Not excactly "wrong" per se. With formal Highland attire tartan and argyle pattern hose, or diced hose, are to be preferred -- if you have them. If not, then a dark conservative colour is the best choice, whether or not it matches your kilt. Light colours and "bright" colours are best reserved for day wear. White and off-white hose, although seen in many ads, are best avoided as they tend to give one's outfit a "rented for the event" look.

Then how would I make my cream colored hose not look so "rented"?

**Hopper250** · 12th December 13, 01:17 PM

Well, they say to use solid color flashes or ties. Avoid weaing the tartan flashes for formal events and that makes them look like you intentionally bought them.

**CMcG** · 12th December 13, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Starhunter451

Then how would I make my cream colored hose not look so "rented"?

If they are thick, high quality, and knitted with a nice cable pattern that is visible at a distance, you're OK, though some people still avoid any white, off-white, or cream hose altogether. If they aren't top quality hose and you don't want the rented look, dye them a different colour.

**Tobus** · 12th December 13, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

dye them a different colour.

This.

I did just that with a pair of cream hose, and the colour came out very nice. Be advised that most cheap hose have a large content of acrylic, nylon, rayon, or some other petroleum/plastic-based fibers which will not readily accept a dye. But they generally will have some fiber content that can be dyed. So you'll end up with a final colour much lighter than the dye colour you were going for, but at least the hose won't be white any more. Below is a pair of thin, cheap cream hose that I dyed using a dark green Rit dye. The final colour is more like a Lovat green since the artificial fiber content is so high. These now make for a decent daywear pair of kilt hose (though this colour would not be appropriate for evening wear as MacMillan of Rathdown mentioned). Nothing will fix the fact that they're thin, cheap hose, but at least they're no longer cream coloured.

You can also coffee-stain or tea-stain cream hose for a nice tan colour (again, not a good colour for evening wear). You might be able to get a grey/charcoal colour by using a black dye, though, which could work OK for evening wear.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 12th December 13, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by Starhunter451

Then how would I make my cream colored hose not look so "rented"?

Well, as Tobus has pointed out you can try dying them. Last I looked a packet of Ritt dye was about $5 -- or roughly the cost of a cup of designer coffee at Starbucks. If you can afford the initial outlay (probably something in the neighborhood of a hundred bucks) I'd suggest you acquire a pair of tartan, argyle, or diced hose. I have four pair bought exactly 40 years ago, and they are as good as new. Because they will get less wear than your solid colour hose it well worth the investment. If you keep an eye out here on X-Marks diced, and sometimes argyle hose regularly turn up for sale, and usually for less than the cost of buying them new.

**McMurdo** · 12th December 13, 09:28 PM

Scott I could not agree more, a few years ago I was lucky enough to receive a pair of black and red diced hose from the Scottish Tartan Museum. Are they a luxury? Certainly, but they are oh so worth it. If cared for properly they should last a lifetime.