1820-mid 1820s Dress Attire- NWC - Puffer

[puffer]

Puffer,

I like your look...you always cut a rakish figure.

So...I need to ask a question and in order to do that, I want to stipulate that (a) I am not an historian and (b) the question is asked in a sincere spirit of inquiry.

That said, I have good friends who are historians and it has been drummed into my head until my ears bled that "without evidence that it happened, it didn't happen."

I have never seen any paintings or or illustrations or contemporaneous accounts that document white hose accompanying Highland Attire in the time period you specify.

Can you point me to some sources?

I APPRECIATE your " honest inquiry"

The "White" hose were a "concern" for me. as was the kilt. I could "document' the kilt, But but NOT the the hose in this "situation". What I had was the "fact" that this type of hose was the "required" wear" for gentlemen of my class when wearing "Pantaloons" ( proper "pants") I then took the following "license"
( Note I consulted Several NWC/HBC Historians (Ft. Langley, Sutter, Nesqually, & Vancouver. concerning this. They ALL agreed that although they could not document the "hose" as what few "Accounts" of Kilts did not mention the hose worn.( VERY little NWC records survive from this period.) But ALL said my "reasoning"was correct. Also note that I have worn this "look @ Ft. Nisqually, Ft. Spokane, Ft, Langley, During " Historian presentations, & they they all accepted it.
My "reasoning was, in this situation, I would be "dressed" according to my "social" station. Any other type "hose" would have been UNACCEPTABLE"

As to you "Historical" friends, I MEAN NO DISRESPECT but they are wrong. Perhaps in relation to "set piece" events, it may apply, but in the real world ( esp. in relation to "civilian wear) it DOES NOT. Illustrations are VERY suspect @ best. & accounts only reflect the persons experience or eye view.
Example = Most of the above, "picture" fur traders wearing "Leathers" yet the "REALITY is they DID NOT, In FACT, Most wore what they wore "back east" ( NOTE both the NWC & HBC FORBID this attire except by a few emerges ( this also included thier 100s of "Sandwich Islanders & Iroquois employees. & any Metis or native woman "married"to a NWC/HBS employee ( except those married to other Metis or natve ).

Puffer