Argyll Hose with Day Wear

[Nathan]

NOTE: In case you found this thread through New Posts, just an FYI that it is in the Traditional Kilt Wear section and I'm looking to discuss the traditional approach in this thread.

I ended up in an interesting debate recently with some of my fellow kilt wearing friends with a traditional leaning about whether Argyll (aka tartan) hose or diced hose worn with tweed day wear could be considered a traditional choice.

Certainly there are plenty of examples of people doing it in the 19th Century and there are contemporary examples of Highland chiefs and chieftains such as Invercauld and MacPherson of Pitmain choosing to wear such styles in recent years as well as some sharp dressed xmarks members.

My basic understanding is that diced and tartan hose should really be left to the most formal of black and white tie occasions, but I've encountered considerable push back to this view by some who hold that while the look isn't as popular a choice as it once was for day wear, it still qualifies as a traditional option.

So what say the traditionalists among the rabble? Is this combo still traditional or has it crossed the line into historical? Are the folks who choose this combo exhibiting personal flair or committing a faux pas?

[Liam]

Nathan...I am always of the opinion "what ever floats your boat". That being said, I would reserve diced and Argyll hose Long with buckle brogues for formal wear.
Cheers...

[Jock Scot]

Well there is no doubt that there is historical precedent to back up the argument, but these days I think that argyll hose with tweed jackets could be considered rather on the more theatrical side and generally unnecessary and is rarely seen worn thus, by the locals, these days here. So I suppose, they are really considered to be in the historical category, but if you want to wear them, then its hardly a hanging offence.

Interestingly, argyll hose, or diced hose can and are worn with daywear. They are worn with the black barathea silver buttoned(BBSB) argyll jacket as morning coat equivalent for day weddings. Not for general wear of the kilted guests though, but for the members of the "first eleven" should they so choose.

In fact, I would have worn a pair of argyll hose for just such an occasion a few weeks ago, had I been able to fit them over my calves-------but that is another story entirely.

[Macman]

For me, argyll hose are formal wear. It's just the way I was brought up. If others like to wear them with tweed jackets, I won't get fussed about it. I like to pull mine on when I'm in formal rig, or, like Jock says, with a BBSB jacket for formal day wear. They are special to me and I don't like to wear them for non-formal occasions. But then, I'm the one who doesn't pull out the fine china very often, either.

[Nathan]

Thanks! I use "day wear" as a shorthand for "tweed Argyll + long tie aka informal day wear". I wasn't speaking about formal day wear or morning suit equivalent but Jock's clarification is useful and worth noting.

[Liam]

Thanks! As a point of clarification, I use "day wear" as a shorthand for "tweed Argyll + long tie aka informal day wear". I wasn't speaking about formal day wear or morning suit equivalent but the clarification is useful and worth noting.

I understood your meaning and use the term "formal" to include the "morning coat" day wear.

[Jock Scot]

I understood that as well, however, experience tells me to avoid ambiguity on these matters, particularly as some members are unaware that formal day wear even exists, or they think a black bow tie and accompanying evening attire is proper formal daywear, which of course it is not. These omissions can haunt one overtime, here.

[ASinclair]

I consider tartan hose and diced hose as part of formal wear. However, I think (like the Pirates' Code), our rules are more like guidelines. So if one chooses to wear tartan or diced hose with informal day wear, and it 'works', then it's personal flair.

[JohntheBiker]

Given the cost of made-to-order tartan hose, I can fully appreciate why one would be reluctant to wear them as daywear, or perhaps more accurately as daily wear. After wearing tartan hose, I dry clean them rather than washing them in order to preserve size shape and colour, so wearing them about is a not inexpensive proposition.

Aside from the practical consideration, there are lots of photos about with Mat Newsome wearing tartan hose with tweed and frankly it's a very sharp look - check out the photo gallery at New House Highland - http://www.newhousehighland.com/kilt_gallery.html

Would I do it, absolutely, but not often. I wouldn't consider it a highland fashion faux pas.

[CMcG]

I see diced/tartan/argyle hose for daywear—apart from with morning dress—as more historical than traditional.

For the aforementioned Chiefs it might be traditional because their fathers probably did it and they may very well have inherited the family hose. For others folks to do so seems more like an effort at revival of a historical style. This is a question of convention, which has generally and widely moved to plainer hose for daywear.

I don't think it would be a faux pas to wear fully patterned hose with tweedy daywear, but it can be a bit over the top. There's nothing wrong with it per se, and one might make a case for it being personal flair.... For someone who likes a little extra impact, patterned hose tops might be a better choice.

All that being said, diced/tartan/argyle hose for daywear is close enough and reasonable enough on the traditional-historical continuum that a revival might be possible