Tartan hose

[figheadair]

How common are full tartan hose nowadays? They are standard for highland dancing but otherwise its usually plain color, including the dreaded cream hose or coloured for a more casual look.

In simple terms, tartan hose have gone out of fashion and are less often seen today. When they are worn, they are generally reserved for evening wear; even then, plain or diced hose are more often seen. The reason is two-fold: firstly, the cost is prohibitive for many which is why plain hose are the norm. Secondly, the move, particularly in N. America by people to have more than one kilt and thus, the potential need for more than one set of tartan hose.

I’ve worn a kilt for 50 years and never owned a pair of tartan hose, preferring diced hose instead which have greater utility. Even rarer are Gairloch style hose although they have seen a small resurgence recently.

[Touchstone]

Even rarer are Gairloch style hose although they have seen a small resurgence recently.

Had to refresh myself on what Gairlock style hose look like, and the first image that came up on Google Images was ... McMurdo.

[figheadair]

Had to refresh myself on what Gairlock style hose look like, and the first image that came up on Google Images was ... McMurdo.

Here are mine.
20220512 - Innerpeffray.jpg

[McMurdo]

Had to refresh myself on what Gairlock style hose look like, and the first image that came up on Google Images was ... McMurdo.

Funny thing is I've just got the one pair. As for Diced hose I have Black and Red and Red and White. I prefer my Argyll hose for Black or White tie with the Scottish Wildcat tartan, as the designer I thought it was a worthy expense. I agree the price can be prohibitive however, once you have a pair that were made for you, there is nothing like it.

Diced


Argyll


Gairloch