true tartan hose (not diced+lines)

[Nighthawk]

I considered it, Nighthawk, but I feel the lack of "springiness" in the worsted wool cloth wouldn't feel or look quite right. I'm also concerned they'd look a bit too much like a reenactor's costume rather than modern evening wear. (I don't have anything at all against reenactors, quite the opposite; I simply feel that some elements of the more historical costume would look out of place at a modern black-tie event.)

Yeah, you're probably right about that! Being a reenactor, that never even occurred to me! It just kinda seems normal in my mind...

Knitting is naturally stretchy and wovens are more firm. Sewing hose from tartan would be, in my opinion, a game not worth the candle. You may get get something to cover your legs and feet, but how is it going to stay in place as you walk and flex your foot and leg? I have seen pictures of these woven leg coverings; they appeared to be held in place by sinew-lacings all up the leg. That would dig into the flesh wickedly after a couple of hours' walking.

There's a reason these argyll patterned hose are rare and expensive. They are devilishly difficult to make.

First off, you simply use tied garters; not the elastic ones that are so common today. The tied ones, I've found, are much more comfortable, anyway! Second, if the hose are made correctly, they're actually really comfortable. I had a pair once that I wore out. I need to make another. You're right about the lack of stretch, though. The sewn hose do need to be a little loose, and not skin tight like we're used to in modern woven hose.