I may be in the minority (I often am), but I don't really think of patterned-top hose as being anything other than daywear. For formal occasions, you'd want to go with full-blown patterned hose, not just a patterned cuff. Decorative hose tops just seem to fall short of "formal" to me. I know the Duke of Rothesay wears patterned-top knit hose with his daywear, even "dressy" daywear. It can be a great look.
creagdhubh
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