Tartan Hose

[JohntheBiker]

They look great Nathan.

In terms of care, I have found that dry cleaning is the best way to preserve colour and shape.

[Domehead]

Very smart, indeed. And, I appreciate the Regimental placement of your flashes. A subtle, but thoroughly respectful detail. Well done.

Slainte,
Ryan

[mookien]

Nathan: Those are indeed splendid! Congratulations. You look like you belong to the regiment. Love those "buckled" shoes.

John

[crash]

Very sharp Nathan. Now you have me thinking I should give John a call.

[creagdhubh]

I like them. Especially paired with your bar and buckle brogues. Well done!

Cheers,

[Father Bill]

I love mine! John has a lady who breeds the sheep for wool quality, cards, spins and dyes it to match the fabric samples he sends her, and knits them to the measurement of your feet. They feel great to wear, and look fabulous. Well worth every cent!

[Orionson]

​Very smairt. Very smairt, indeed.

[TheOfficialBren]

Wow! Now THOSE are hose!!

IM curious about something. How are these tartan hose? In California we would call these Argyle hose.

I do not see the Clanranald sett. I see an Argyle pattern with the Clanranald modern colours. What am I missing?

[Nathan]

Wow! Now THOSE are hose!!

IM curious about something. How are these tartan hose? In California we would call these Argyle hose.

I do not see the Clanranald sett. I see an Argyle pattern with the Clanranald modern colours. What am I missing?

You're quite right that the sett isn't perfectly reproduced. Clanranald would be a very difficult set to reproduce. It just comes down to a question of jargon. The split diamond pattern referred to as Argyll on socks and sweaters is most often referred to as tartan on kilt hose. There are too many things called Argyll already in the kilt world. We need only look to the history of how the hose evolved for a clue as to why they became known as full tartan hose.

Originally, the hose were actually made out of the wool tartan cloth. The cloth hose were fashioned with the cloth cut on the bias because it has more natural elasticity this way. Eventually, when people began knitting kilt hose, it became less important or even practical to replicate the sett exactly, especially for complex tartans. Some, especially in North America, say Argyll hose but most guides and websites from Scotland say that "diced or tartan hose are best for formal evening events". The tartan hose depicted are what you call Argyll hose.
Some examples:

http://www.scotweb.co.uk/mens-wear/s...-hose-and-tops

http://www.mackenziefrain.com/index....duct_id=496839

http://www.houseoflabhran.com/tartan-diced-kilt-hose/


North American vendors like John from Keltoi are sympathetic to the vocabulary of their customers so often say "Tartan or Argyll/Argyle hose".

http://www.gaelicclothing.com/argyletartanhose.htm


Clear as mud?

[TheOfficialBren]

Absolutely as clear as mud, mate. Thank you. I've learned something new!

Your new hose are fabulous.