White Hose

[Dall_Piobaire]

But where is the evidence that the "poorer class" actually wore un-dyed wool hose? I would be interested in hearing one of our historians tell us of the earliest evidence of cream hose.

From what I can tell, dyeing was something that even the poorest of the poor could do. They didn't all run around in cream colored coats, trousers, or anything else made of wool. They dyed them. Why would hose be any different?

My opinion ecru is fine, gives one a bit more latitude with shirt color and, I think, it plays off reds particularly well.

I would hazzard a guess, that the crofters, many living with thier livestock, in thier sod hut, would wear just about anything on thier feet they could manage.

I know there are references to highlanders being called reshanks as many wore nothing on thier feet.

They could not afford to eat the stock they raised, they needed to bring every bit of it to market, so, I would bet the same applied to wool from the shearing.

It seems we so often mess about in the world of the noble and wealthy, it seems to be very often forgotten that the heart and soul of the highlands was a dirt poor crofter trying to feed the family.....even shoes might have been a luxury.

Worse even still, many ended up in the regiments believing the promises of thier family being protected and cared for, only to come out of service and find themselves hoeless....and I fuss about white hose....