White socks

**Clisgett** · 5th February 17, 03:58 PM

So can anybody explain to me what the deal is with white kilt socks and why they are such a big no no?

**ratspike** · 5th February 17, 04:53 PM

It's part of the poorly packaged look pushed so hard by rental shops, along with laces-up-the-calf brogues and those awful ruche ties. With all the really nice color options available, white is just so uninteresting. And bright. The first thing I think of when I see white hose is tube socks.

**cck** · 5th February 17, 05:17 PM

Ratspike gave a fairly good answer to your question. Remember - many members of this group want to dress in the most correct manner. White hose is commonly associated with rental attire. On the other hand, white hose would be better than no hose and is frequently seen.

**Terry Searl** · 5th February 17, 06:31 PM

Personally I don't see a problem with White hose but as is stated there are so many colour options, why wear white...once again respect is most important, I don't believe there are colour rules, and opinions are just that, opinions, just because someone "thinks" they know best, doesn't mean it is so...respect for the attire is most important. You are NOT wearing a costume, unless you are in some reenactment club,..... just my opinion and as valid as anyone else's

**sailortats** · 5th February 17, 06:33 PM

I know this goes against the grain but as far as I am concerned nothing looks better than white hose with formal attire.

**jumper** · 5th February 17, 07:22 PM

To me it is all personal preference, some take pride in being able to keep the hose pure white others like black, then there is those that like to use a color from the tartan that stands out. Honestly be yourself and be respectful to the heritage and the other persons choice. With me I like black hose, but also like the muted greens and blues I some times will wear white in the summer during a more formal event.

**fflex** · 5th February 17, 07:23 PM

I don't have any issues with white hose, some of the best known kilt makers show white hose on their web sites.. white and cream hose are seen everywhere, wear what you like. I'm not a kilt cop!!

**Clisgett** · 5th February 17, 07:46 PM

I've got a cream pair and a blue pair, I was just reading in some other posts where they made remarks about white socks and didn't know that was offensive to some people's eyes

**dcommini** · 5th February 17, 09:29 PM

I've heard it said that white hose are supposedly only for pipe and drum bands, and black reserved for funerals. How true that is, I don't know.

I'd say if white is what you like then go for it.

**Mathew MacKillop** · 5th February 17, 10:07 PM

I think the general idea is that white hose are used extensively by rental places, and by some kiltmakers who also rent out apparel. They tend to give the cookie-cutter look that screams "rental". Because of their other distasteful practices (such as insisting that everyone always needs to wear a Prince Charlie, regardless of time of day or the formality of the function, setting people up with tartan flashes, assuming that ghillie brogues are appropriate footwear, etc.) that are unheard of with actual kilt wearers in Scotland.

If you look through the photos on this forum of actual Scottish kilt wearers, you'll note that none of them look like they're wearing the typical rental package, which is telling.