Hose: just the bare essentials

[Jock Scot]

How about cream? Ok I'll get my coat!

You will go far young sir, very far!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

All the recent talk about Argyle hose and the like is great, but the fact remains that unless you find a real bargain somewhere they are expensive; and no one says they are a requirement for formal wear. Most gentlemen these days wear solid hose for formal wear, and look just fine doing so.

So if we are on a budget and just getting the essential hose, I usually advise new kilt wearers to get two pairs in colors that either match or tone well with their kilt; one lighter, one darker.

Now in this scenario where we have 3 kilts, that doesn't necessarily mean 6 pairs of hose, as the same colors may go well with multiple tartans.

[Tartan Hiker]

I'm finding that my WPG khaki hose and a khaki shirt from Cabels's goes with almost everything in my closet, and look great with boots or with black shoes and a tie.

[Highland Logan]

If we really are talking bare essentials, then, bottle green.

Bingo.. I couldn't agree more. They are a great colour for causal and day wear, and go with almost everything other than formal.

Frank

[Standard]

Oatmeal and Lovet Green would do me just fine. Be sure to get the Wool/Nylon blend and avoid the all cotton models. Also steer clear of white to avoid the wrath of the Kilt-Police.

[Jack Daw]

I wouldn't even need 6 pairs,

the kilts and hose I would take (at this time) would be;
Irelands National - paired with Bottle Green, Black or Beige

American Heritage- Black, Lovat Blue or Dark Red

Saffron - Bottle Green

Only 5 pairs of hose, I'd get them from W. Brewin http://stores.channeladvisor.com/wbsocks/Kilt%20Hose/
They are resonable and fit my fat calves!

You'd have to wash less with 6 vs 5.

[12stones]

On a budget I'd go here
http://stores.ebay.com/WB-SOCKS_KILT...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

As for colour I'd say if I only had six pair of hose, I'd go for the following
1. Black
2. Bottle Green
3. Lovat Green
4. Oatmeal/Stone
5. Lovat Blue
6. Maroon

I just ordered some black hose from here today, so we'll see how they do.

[Jack Daw]

My six faves:

Red-and-white castellated (Scottish Lion $110);
Tartan Red (H&H Scottish Imports, CA - now gone);
Oatmeal (Unremembered vendor at the Trinity-Huntsville Games);
Argyll hose for MacIntyre Red Modern kilt (J.Higgins before they went cheap on the argyll);
Khaki (from WPG);
Black by Lewis (STM).

[thescot]

In the hose department, navy and oatmeal (khaki) for two colors that will match anything. (I found 2 pair of light weight wool hose on ebay in khaki that are great in hot weather.)

As for 3 kilts, I'd go with:

1. the weathered Robertson casual for warmer air
2. the heavy Gordon from WPG for warmth
3. the Leatherneck wool for style, top-notch class, and that certain . . . something that all Marines exude and all non-Marines don't.

Don't overlook ebay as a good source. You never know what you'll find. And WPG has some wool hose that get good write-ups around here.

[puffer]

To me it depends on the "basic" primary tartan colors"

my "basics" are
1. Black Watch ( including my BW, Gordon, Seaforth (Mackenzie) Black Douglas etc.
Hose = Black, Navy, Dark Green.
2. Greys (such as my Auld Lang Syne - Grey, Night Stalker, etc)
Hose = Black, Charcoal Grey, Light Grey
3. Earth tones ( Tans & browns) ( such as my weathered Mackenzie)
Hose = Brown, Tan, Khaki

If I had to take only 6 hose then they would be
1. BLACK ( will go with # 1 & 2 kilts.)
2. Khaki (or brown) for #3
3. Dark Green ( for #1 & 3)

! would have a pair of each in a GOOD inexpensive hose like these from http://stores.ebay.com/WB-SOCKS_KILT...QQftidZ2QQtZkm & the khaki from WPG

I would also have a "dress pair )Black, Dark green, & Brown from http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/hose_lewis.htm

Puffer