Checkered Kilt Hose Etiquette?

[Casper]

Keith, they will never match your kilt (I was going to say "no matter what the tartan", but someone will probably find a tartan they'll match). I think they will go very well with your Lamont. Congratulations on such a good buy!

Those would match perfectly with a Black Stewart...

[Woodsheal]

The early Highlanders (17th, 18th C's) wore tartan hose sewn up from woven cloth, not knitted stockings. The red and black "checked" tartan (now called "Rob Roy") was an extremely common sett, so hose of that pattern would've been widely seen.




The Highland regiments of that period by-and-large used red and white diced hose, probably because the government could cheaply acquire large amounts of cloth in that simple pattern.

I would say that today the red and black diced hose are meant to go with any kilt for any of the same situations that you'd wear so-called "Argyle" tartan hose....

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Yeah, what everyone else said. I just want to point out that this style of hose did not originate in the military. Like Woodsheal pointed out, it was very common in the 16th and 17th century to wear hose (called cadadh) cut and sewn from tartan cloth. And the most common, perhaps, was the simple red and black tartan "check" today referred to as "Rob Roy."

This is the origin of the diced hose (as well as Argyle hose), and they were not worn exclusively by the military. Modern knit diced and Argyle hose are simply meant to mimic the appearance of the tartan cadadh, cut and sewn on the bias.

I think that red and black hose will look good with just about any tartan in the modern color scheme, but look especially nice with tartans that are primarily dark green and blue (like your modern Lamont).

They are well suited to formal occasions, as has been pointed out, but I don't think you need to strictly limit yourself to formal wear.
Aye,
Matt

[Jennifer D]

The bargain hunter in me salutes you and your amazing find



The rest of me is jealous as hell!

[keith_b]

I'd take a picture, but my girlfriend went home for Christmas and took the camera. Arg! I'm afraid it's just me and the dog, but thanks for all the info guys. And thanks Woodsheal for that great pic! I think I'm going to have to get a pair of old-school garters from you Matt; these hose are not meant to be worn with a cuff, as they'd be a little too short. i just found that out after trying them on. I was a bit confused...no cuff??? What??!!???

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Sounds like you need to get some traditional garter ties!
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/garters.html

[keith_b]

Jeez Matt!!! I think we just posted our messages at the same time!

[Joel]

I'm wondering if Matt has the ability to read minds...

...well, at least kilt a wearer's mind.


Concratulations on the find!

[PiobBear]

Pipers of the RHR wear red & black diced hose:

[Drillagent]

Great deal on some nice looking hose. I've been looking for some like that myself. I'm jealous.