Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

**Cardinal** · 15th July 14, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I am not sure that you are thinking of the picture that I am Glen, I seem to recall some sort of gathering at Culloden , but perhaps I am wrong?

I think the bigggest handicap and culprit for misleading the new kilt wearer are the internet pictures with no, or misleading information attached to them. They allow the new and enthusiastic kilt wearer's mind to run riot, often with disasterous and expensive consequences.

Jock,

The thread you are referring to is called "Too Traditional?" The discussion of the photo you've mentioned begins in earnest on page 23:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...8/index23.html

And I am grateful for the insights you offer in these forums. If you ever need persuading, shoot me a PM and I'll loudly and publicly sing your praises. I frequently check your profile to see where you've commented, so I can read your thoughts.

Best,
Patrick

**Jock Scot** · 15th July 14, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by Cardinal

Jock,

The thread you are referring to is called "Too Traditional?" The discussion of the photo you've mentioned begins in earnest on page 23:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...8/index23.html

And I am grateful for the insights you offer in these forums. If you ever need persuading, shoot me a PM and I'll loudly and publicly sing your praises. I frequently check your profile to see where you've commented, so I can read your thoughts.

Best,
Patrick

Oh well done and thank you so much. Yes indeed that is the very one that I was talking about.

Now I had better have a look at what I said, just in case I am taken to task over something!

**CeilidhDoc** · 15th July 14, 10:38 AM

I just had a minute to read through that thread and am quite thankful you posted the link. Excellent discussion and photos.

Can I add a satellite question to the discussion that comes up for me looking at photos and reading through threads but that I have never personally seen addressed? I am sure it has been somewhere, but I just haven't found it.

I see a lot of talk about the proper kilt length, as there should be. I often see no discussion about sock / hose height.

Sometimes looking at photos where the kilt is just right (at halfway up the knee to the top of the kneecap range) the hose strike my eye as quite low, leaving a rather large gap of the middle of the leg showing. Sometimes this is due to the hose slipping and scrunching up about the ankle, which is somewhat sloppy for my taste. Sometmes it is because someone is going for the casual rugby shirt look and has athletic socks intentionally scrunched all the way down. But what I see more often and am a bit perplexed by is hose that are tight, not slipping, and quite far below the knee, with the rest of the outfit in perfect order, at least as far as my untrained foreign enthusiast eye is concerned.

Do any of you have any rules of thumb on what range of hose height, or maybe distance from kilt bottom to hose top, is acceptable?

Perhaps I am going about it all wrong, or perhaps my legs are oddly proportioned, but when I find hose that fit my feet, and turn down the top, I would be hard pressed to get it down as low as many seem to intentionally wear their hose top while still having the hose look properly rolled. This usually results in the hose coming just about 1-3 finger breadths below the bottom of my kneecap, give or take. But I see a lot of photos of smartly dressed men with the hose tops far lower than that.

From the perspective of a traditional purist, what is proper? Is there a different set of guidelines for day attire vs evening formal attire?

Any input would be appreciated. I am not trying to hijack the thread, but as a related side note it might be helpful to me, and possibly others, trying to get it "right."

Slàinte

And PS to Calgacus--Thanks a ton for going after my question with such detail!

**Cardinal** · 15th July 14, 10:59 AM

The ever-impeccably dressed creagdhubh mentioned in another thread that he always buys his kilt hose a size small, which fixes the problem. The advice has worked well for me.

My apologies to Kyle. He may be at Bannockburn--hasn't been logged in here since 3 July, or I would have let him post that tidbit himself.

Regards,
Patrick

**CMcG** · 15th July 14, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by CeilidhDoc

...

Do any of you have any rules of thumb on what range of hose height, or maybe distance from kilt bottom to hose top, is acceptable?

...

The cardinal rule of kilt wearing, as laid down to me my Scottish auntie, is: "show some knee."

This means don't wear your kilt too low or your hose too high. Adjust the details to personal taste, your individual physique, and/or the specifics of your kit. For example, some of my hose need a double the cuff to get the right height.

**CeilidhDoc** · 15th July 14, 11:05 AM

Ah yes... but what exactly is "too high?"

And where is "too low?"

I love that tip on buying a size smaller. Although I would have to replace a lot of hose to go that route, lol. Perhaps I will have to attempt to master the art of multiple rolls. When I have done it in the past, then it has frankly looked terrible so I just undid it.

Perhaps then my thoughts ARE all wrong on where the hose should be. I agree with "show some knee," but my hose seem to be showing less than is perhaps desirable in many cases.

Slàinte!

**Nathan** · 15th July 14, 11:10 AM

Perhaps another thread would have been useful for a discussion about hose height.

There's nothing wrong with one thread inspiring another.

I use the 3 finger breadths below my kneecap rule but would rather go with 4 than 2 if I had to choose. I have slender fingers.

**creagdhubh** · 15th July 14, 11:28 AM

Whilst in Scotland, I wear Highland Dress in the Highlands where I have never been viewed as a tourist; but then again, perhaps that's simply because I don't act like one.