Diced hose for daywear?

[Tim Little]

Let me begin by saying that I do understand that wearing diced hose with daywear is not traditional -- tartan and diced hose being primarily reserved for eveningwear. However, I believe Matt Newsome has ably demonstrated that diced and tartan hose certainly can work quite well with daywear. (Though to my eye this generally appears successful if white is not one of the colors used, similar to wearing an arisaid/dress tartan informally it just doesn't seem quite right somehow.)

So I'm contemplating a pair of black/red diced hose to complement my Mackenzie modern kilt, ideally to be worn with a day sporran and medium-gray tweed jacket/waistcoat. Does this seem like a workable combination? Too "military"? Has anyone tried it and have pix they'd be willing to share? I'm just looking for something beyond the usual navy or bottle green hose....

I can approximate the look here :



I think for black tie affairs I'm still likely to hold out for a pair of tartan hose, as $$ permits....

[JSFMACLJR]

The red and black diced hose would be a perfect choice with evening dress. For daywear, not so good.

Shades of green, blue red, and grey all would work well...reds especially. Try a claret colour.

[macwilkin]

Given that the tartan is Mackenzie of Seaforth, might I suggest emulating the Seaforth Highlanders and wear red and white diced hose with evening attire?

I have a pair of tartan hose that I wear with my clan tartan for formal functions, but now I'm pretty much a diced hose man, as the diced hose tend to "pop" out from an outfit more than the tartan ones do. A buddy of mine wore red and white diced hose with his Macaulay Hunting kilt at our Burns Supper this year, and got nothing but compliments about it.


T.

[Tim Little]

Thanks to both of you gentlemen for the prompt replies!

The red and black diced hose would be a perfect choice with evening dress. For daywear, not so good.

Shades of green, blue red, and grey all would work well...reds especially. Try a claret colour.

Quesition of clarification: Is the objection to diced hose in general for dayware, or to the particular black/red color combination? Too "loud" perhaps? Similarly, are you suggesting solid hose in those other colors, or in combination as diced hose?

Given that the tartan is Mackenzie of Seaforth, might I suggest emulating the Seaforth Highlanders and wear red and white diced hose with evening attire?

I have a pair of tartan hose that I wear with my clan tartan for formal functions, but now I'm pretty much a diced hose man, as the diced hose tend to "pop" out from an outfit more than the tartan ones do. A buddy of mine wore red and white diced hose with his Macaulay Hunting kilt at our Burns Supper this year, and got nothing but compliments about it.

T.

If I were to go the red/white route it would definitely be for evening wear, but to my eye it seems a bit over-the-top for a simple Prince Charlie; I think the red/white combo looks better with a doublet of some sort.

I even think the red/black "pops" a little too much for my taste, hence my preference for tartan hose for black-tie.

[macwilkin]

Thanks to both of you gentlemen for the prompt replies!



Quesition of clarification: Is the objection to diced hose in general for dayware, or to the particular black/red color combination? Too "loud" perhaps? Similarly, are you suggesting solid hose in those other colors, or in combination as diced hose?



If I were to go the red/white route it would definitely be for evening wear, but to my eye it seems a bit over-the-top for a simple Prince Charlie; I think the red/white combo looks better with a doublet of some sort.

I even think the red/black "pops" a little too much for my taste, hence my preference for tartan hose for black-tie.

I don't have a photo handy of Mark in his formal rig, but trust me, you want them to "pop". Whilst I like tartan hose, at times they can blend in a bit too much with the kilt for me.

T.

[Tobus]

My opinion only... I think diced hose look great for daywear, but I'd probably reserve the 'loud' patterns for evening wear. Red/black and red/white just seem to pop out too much for daywear.

Speaking of Matt demonstrating the look, this is what I think would be perfect for daywear. Diced hose in fairly muted, non-eyepopping colors that match the tartan (even if they were turnover tops instead of castellated tops):

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I'd pretty much go along with Matt. As can be seen in the photo Matt is dressed in formal day wear attire, and the subdued diced hose are perfect, as would be tartan or argyle hose to match the kilt.

I personally wear solid colour hose for day wear, unless I am attending a formal day time event, in which case I wear tartan hose. For formal evening wear I wear either tartan hose or red and white diced hose with bright blue garters, which reflect the colours in my arms.

On balance I feel, as do Sandy and others, that the more subdued diced hose are better suited to day time attire, with the brighter colours reserved for evening wear. In either event, I think tartan and diced hose are best worn with formal attire.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I think for daywear more muted tones work best for diced hose.


To my eye, the combination of the military tartan and the bold red/black diced hose would have too much of a military look to it. If it were me, I'd choose solid hose for daywear, or hose with a fancy pattern cuff to them if you wanted something more eye-catching than solid.

[Tim Little]

Thanks again, everyone; the advice is appreciated!
It's so nice to have the experts at X Marks as a sounding-board.

So, thinking about formal hose...:




or




"Decisions, decisions" I guess....

[artificer]

"Decisions, decisions" I guess....

#2 has got my vote for day-wear!