Hose tops are worn in the British Army with spats or high leg combat boots. They used to be worn with puttees or gaiters and ankle boots.

I've seen people wearing them casually with high leg boots like the magnum hi-tech although this look did not work for me. I've also seen them worn with ankle walking boots where the socks have been folded over in lie of gaiters or puttees - this looked fine to me.