Formal Hose--loads of questions

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Went back and re-read the e-book "Kilts & Tartans Made Easy" by Dr. Nicholas J. Fiddes (founder, Scotsweb & Governor, Scottish Tartan Authority) and no where in the section on kilt hose can I find black being restricted to funerals.

Yeah, And Fiddes also says that the cream hose are "acceptable":

Recently however white or off-white hose
have become common. This is mostly due to
their popularity with the kilt hire trade
(where providing only one colour reduces
costs). Cream or white hose can still offend
some traditionalists. But it is possibly time
to accept that white is now orthodox.

Given that I wear the Modern Forbes Tartan for dress, which is a pretty dark combination, I would like something with a wee bit of colour when I am dressing up. On the other hand, I want to be proper.

So, cream is OK with the Argyll or the PC, but not any of the real formal doublets from what I am reading.

Besides, if you are splashing out for a formal doublet, you may as well go the whole hog. So, I agree with Matt.

[BoldHighlander]

Yeah, And Fiddes also says that the cream hose are "acceptable":

Actually he says:
"Recently however white or off-white hose have become common. This is mostly due to their popularity with the kilt hire trade (where providing only one colour reduces cost). Cream or white hose can still offend some traditionalists.
But it is possibly time to accept that white is now orthodox."

Sounds more like a suggestion than an out & out endorsement...

I'm not offended by white / off-white, its just not for me personally

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Actually he says:
"Recently however white or off-white hose have become common. This is mostly due to their popularity with the kilt hire trade (where providing only one colour reduces cost). Cream or white hose can still offend some traditionalists.
But it is possibly time to accept that white is now orthodox."

Sounds more like a suggestion than an out & out endorsement...

I'm not offended by white / off-white, its just not for me personally

That's pretty much splitting hairs on "acceptable". You aren't going to be tossed out of the club, stabbed with sgian dubh, or beheaded with this:
<IMG SRC="http://a367.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/86/l_280a71fa4002919b24fb329629e2fb1e.jpg">

[gilmore]

My own theory/guess on why white hose are considered an abomination by some is that the last time it was accepted by all that they could be worn at formal events was at a time when liveried footmen were the only people wearing them. And no one wanted to be mistaken for a servant.

I agree with Matt on this. If you are going to all the trouble of accumulating formal wear---and it's not just the kilt and doublet. There are also formal sporran, fly plaids, kilt pins, formal skene dhu, dirks, jabot and cuffs, possibly outerwear, bar and buckle brogues, silver buttons, etc to consider---why start scrimping when it comes to hose? One doesn't have to buy everything all at once, not even we Americans, but it is something to keep in mind.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned about white hose is that, lacking color, they stand out, especially when contrasted with the black of brogues and laces, drawing the eye to them and away from the kilt, doublet, and the rest of the ensemble that you spent so much money on.

This effect of using pure white to call attention something surrounded by color was used effectively in movies made in the 1930's-70's, where you often see the leading lady as the only person in white on the screen.

(There is a story about a battle between two divas, Raquel Welch and Mae West in the last movie the latter made, "Myra Breckenridge," over who was going to wear white in the only scene in which the two appear together. Beauty yielded to age, and Mae wore white while Raquel wore cream. But the animosity had grown to such intensity that the two women refused to be on the set at the same time, so the scene had to be shot twice, once for each actress, with some one else reading the other's lines off camera.)

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Yes, that's the picture I wanted to show, although it would have been better with my post.

Cream is acceptable with an Argyll or PC, but you will notice that I have on Navy hose in the picture.

BUT I'M NOT WEARING SHOES!

Reason for this is that I wanted to send the person I picked up the doublet from a picture of me in it. I also made a comment about my claymore collection in another post (see the post on blades). So, no buckle brogues (or even ghillies), even though I have a pair of each.

Anyway, I wasn't going formal.

Also, I ordered some hose from Matt today. What a way to drum up business!

[BoldHighlander]

That's pretty much splitting hairs on "acceptable". You aren't going to be tossed out of the club, stabbed with sgian dubh, or beheaded with this:

Depends upon the club your in

[BoldHighlander]

I'm not sure that my message got across.

I LIKE white hose with a kilt, my Eton/Spencer jacket, a white formal shirt and a black tie. I think it looks good and no amount of telling me that it's "incorrect" is going to change that.

And I for one would never seek to tell you what to wear.
My only personal comment about white hose was the following:

I'm not offended by white / off-white, its just not for me personally

But me?............ I'll stick with those really sharp-looking cream or brilliant white hose that I like just fine.
(*emphasis mine*)

And in the end that is the only thing that is really important, isn't it?

[Alan H]

And in the end that is the only thing that is really important, isn't it? :

Yup!

[BoldHighlander]

Besides, if you are splashing out for a formal doublet, you may as well go the whole hog.

I would agree