Don't want to itch.... or worse!!

**tinksdad** · 9th December 10, 10:12 AM

I would imagine that I am not the first to bring up this subject; but I'm too lazy to search. Actually, my first search brought up 124 possibilities and none addressed the issue I am faced with.

Started wearing the kilt two years ago. Budget constraints have limited my purchases to PV (I own 6) while I slowly saved for a bespoke wool kilt. Encountered a problem that might change my mind on that. I purchased what I could afford at the time, so until recently I've been using Sportkilt hose (soccer socks). Just bought 4 pairs of true kilt hose, not cheap but not top of the line either. Not 100% wool, I think they are about a 50/50 blend.

I AM ALLERGIC TO WOOL! It was a childhood allergy and I thought I may have outgrown it. Apparently not. At first I thought it might have been something because the hose were brand new. Even after washing them in Wool-lite, my legs are itching and breaking into a rash.

I don't want to spend the money on a wool kilt that might cause skin problems in a delicate area. The hose I can probably get away with if I wear ladies knee high nylons under them (haven't tried yet) to keep them away from the skin.

Any body else allergic to wool?? Any suggestions?? Or am I limited to PV??

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 9th December 10, 10:17 AM

I knew a guy who was rather allergic to wool and he wore a military surplus regimental weight woolen kilt with no ill effect -- he simply wore spandex biker shorts beneath his kilt. Might be a good solution for you.

**Legba** · 9th December 10, 10:29 AM

I would not recomend any exposure to wool as your reaction to same may increase with repeated exposure.
I'm sure there's ways around it, however I would not think it's worth it.

**xman** · 9th December 10, 10:39 AM

If your feet aren't too big these are a great option. I think they look good enough I might just end up wearing them to my brother's wedding next summer.

**tinksdad** · 9th December 10, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

I knew a guy who was rather allergic to wool and he wore a military surplus regimental weight woolen kilt with no ill effect -- he simply wore spandex biker shorts beneath his kilt. Might be a good solution for you.

It is one option I considered even though it's not my first choice. Pre-kilt, I have been commando/regimental since the VietNam conflict era. Dependant on the circumstances now, I have taken to wearing something under my kilt, albeit minimal. I wear a thong, just enough to keep me legal. I may try the biker shorts with my PV's just to see if I am comfortable with the concept.

Originally Posted by Legba

I would not recomend any exposure to wool as your reaction to same may increase with repeated exposure.
I'm sure there's ways around it, however I would not think it's worth it.

This is probably the response I dreaded getting the most. My search into allergies on the internet leads me to the same conclusion.

Originally Posted by xman

If your feet aren't too big these are a great option. I think they look good enough I might just end up wearing them to my brother's wedding next summer.

The website says "one size fits most", just like the Sportskilt hose. It would be worth an $8 investment to try out a pair. Besides, they have some colors I like. The charcoal or navy, I think, would go well with my Confederate memorial when it arrives.

Scratching my legs in public is probably not a big deal; but scratching other places may not be socially acceptable. I appreciate the responses, and hopefully will come up with a workable solution.

**piperdbh** · 9th December 10, 11:38 AM

You could get some of us to make you some cotton kilt hose. That's the easy part.
You might have to give up on wearing a wool kilt, though, as someone else has already pointed out.

**Nighthawk** · 9th December 10, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by xman

If your feet aren't too big these are a great option. I think they look good enough I might just end up wearing them to my brother's wedding next summer.

I have several pairs of those! They look really nice in person. They don't have much of a cuff, though, so I would advise getting a pair of hose toppers to go with them. Once you do that, they look great!

**Nighthawk** · 9th December 10, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by tinksdad

The website says "one size fits most", just like the Sportskilt hose. It would be worth an $8 investment to try out a pair. Besides, they have some colors I like. The charcoal or navy, I think, would go well with my Confederate memorial when it arrives.

My calves are 21 inches. They're just a touch tight on me, so they should most people just fine.

**muirkirkca** · 9th December 10, 02:46 PM

For summer wear I have Barbarian Rugby socks. They have a good turn down at the top ( I am 6' 2" and 218 ) and also have a good rib. Material is 80% acrylic, 20% nylon and fit size 10-13. Made in U.S.A. with a good choice of colours and no visible logo. Web site is www.barbarian.com

**Tobus** · 9th December 10, 03:56 PM

Scratching my legs in public is probably not a big deal; but scratching other places may not be socially acceptable.

Fortunately, those "other places" are the easiest to protect from a wool kilt without having to give up your 'freedom'. There has been some discussion lately about the 'under-kilt' idea, and it would be rather simple to make one from scratch. That will at least keep your itching confined only to your lower thighs and below.