Sock Decorations

[sorcererdale]

I haven't wanted the white socks yet, only have black, but I think the white looks nice and more dressy. I only have a tan Mocker and a black Survival from Utilikilts, right now. I was wondering about the decorative ribbon that is worn in each sock on the side. I don't know what they are called or what significance they have, but I do think they add a bit of flare!

Is there a certain length? Does the color mater or just match a kilt or shirt? When I order a belt and more socks, I was wondering about getting those too.

Thanks for the info.

DALE.

[bubba]

Those are called flashes. Essentially they're colored ribbon for decoration attached to elastic garters to hold the hose up. The colors I like best are ones that pick up one of the colors in the kilt. As for the length, it should hang a couple inches or so below the turnover of the hose. I also made a pair of garters without flashes for those times I don't have appropriately colored flashes, they're just elastic straps with velcro on the ends.

[Blu (Ontario)]

You can buy everything you need to make flashes from the fabric section at Wal*Mart or other department store. Get a yard of the grosgrain fabric ribbon and a packet of 3/4" wide underwear elastic and you'll have enough for sevarl pair. They can be simple or fancy depending on personal preference. You can buy the commercially made ones for $10 or more. And your kiltmaker can make some from wool to match the kilt. I find that the black ribbon goes with just about any color or style of kilt.

Good luck

[Robin]

Flashes are nice! You can buy them or make them yourself.

There also tartan flashes to match your kilt (sometimes you get them with your kilt, sometimes you must order them seperatly)

About kilt socks (they're called hoses...don't ask me why)...the pure white hoses are for pipers, the off white/cream/arran hoses are worn when dressed up. All other colours (oatmeal/stone, lovat and navy blue, lovat and bottle green, charcoal etc.) are for more casual occasions.

[Iolaus]

I haven't wanted the white socks yet, only have black, but I think the white looks nice and more dressy.

You'll find, if you do some reading of the archives here, that some people consider the bright white hose to be only suitable for wear with the piper's uniform. These folks will recommend that off-white be chosen instead.

Of course, since you're wearing UKs, the rules of style are extremely fluid. I, myself, don't have any bright-white hose, but I do tend to bend and twist the rules of style in other ways. I would suggest that, before investing too much into accoutrements, you should spend some time reading some of the back-threads here, and viewing as many of the members pictures and photo-galleries as you can. That'll give you a more informed idea of what you're looking to do.


-Edit-

About kilt socks (they're called hoses...don't ask me why)...the pure white hoses are for pipers, the off white/cream/arran hoses are worn when dressed up. All other colours (oatmeal/stone, lovat and navy blue, lovat and bottle green, charcoal etc.) are for more casual occasions.

What he said!

[KiltedKnight]

I have a couple pair of pure white hose and have never had any negative feed back when they've been worn, however, if white were only for pipers then pipers should never wear any other color kilt hose. The majority of pipers that I've seen wore spats and diced uppers anyway and the Glengarry should only be worn by pipers since the Glen is a military type bonnet and the Highland pipes are a weapon of war...see, this could get very confusing and there's an arguement for just about every article of clothing. I any case, I don't see anything wrong with wearing white hose. (Especially since the ones I have are the thickest and warmest and feel so good on cold winter nights)!

Chris :rolleyes:

[macwilkin]

About kilt socks (they're called hoses...don't ask me why)...the pure white hoses are for pipers, the off white/cream/arran hoses are worn when dressed up. All other colours (oatmeal/stone, lovat and navy blue, lovat and bottle green, charcoal etc.) are for more casual occasions.

Actually, coloured hose may be worn for formal occasions as well, not to mentioned diced and the "Argyll" or tartan hose, which usually match the colours of the kilt.

Cheers,

Todd

[Andrew Breecher]

About kilt socks (they're called hoses...don't ask me why)

Indo-European *(s)keu- "to cover, conceal"
Proto-Germanic *khusan "covering"
Old Norse: hosa
Middle High German: hose "covering for the leg" (pronounced "hosa")
German: Hose "trousers" (i.e. Lederhosen)
English c.1100 hosa "covering for the leg"

Hosiery is first recorded in 1790, from Middle English hosier "hose-maker" (1403).

Andrew.