Kilt hose questions

[McMurdo]

Well said DoK, I have the Lewis Hose from Matt, as well as the Argyll top hose from the supplier of Lewis hose the Hawick Hose co. I find them to be grand for smart daywear, and am wearing a pair right now, I will be getting a pair of tartan hose to match the Royal Naval Association tartan as soon as I can though, as you say tartan hose only really go with the tartan they are made for, and I too find I like to wear different kilts when dressing formally, until then I will wear a pair of solid colour hose from Hawick.

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Also, one point about tartan hose is that they are "bespoke" (made to measure) in your specific tartan. Hence the expense. The person who is making mine wanted a swatch of my kilt to get the colour correct.

There are lesser priced alternatives out there, but they aren't as "personally tailored" to your needs. So, you have loads of factors which make these costly and take a while to receive from the maker.

I don't knock lesser priced (or more expensive), but realise you are paying for something which isn't common. The more unusual your tartan, the harder to find the hose to match. From one site:

Obviously it is not always possible for you to supply us with a swatch to enable us to match the colours. We do have samples of many of the stock tartans from the bigger mills in Scotland, so if you can tell us your tartan and mill, we can try to match that. Alternatively we can simply make up diced hose to the colours and shade you indicate. However, you must understand that under these circumstances we cannot guarantee that the colours will match your existing tartan.

This place sells tartan hose for US$ 180.08. Not sure what the shipping will be. I think this place had tartan/argyll hose, but they only stocked better known tartans.