Kilt hose observations

[JRB]

I agree that well made hose really complete an outfit. But you don't have to spend a lot of money to find nice hose. I tend to purchase my kilt hose from vendors at Highland games. They usually have a great assortment of high quality wool hose in a wide selection of colors from reputable companies like Lochcarron. Plus, the prices are often less than I can get online or at my local highlandwear store.

[Jack Daw]

I agree that well made hose really complete an outfit. But you don't have to spend a lot of money to find nice hose. I tend to purchase my kilt hose from vendors at Highland games. They usually have a great assortment of high quality wool hose in a wide selection of colors from reputable companies like Locharron. Plus, the prices are often less than I can get online or at my local highlandwear store.

Plus, you get to see and feel what you buy before you buy. Ah, the good ol' days.

[Andrew Breecher]

I think most of my hose are from Lochcarron. I've one pair which I've had for four years, and it's still going strong! I got a hole in it where I snagged it on something, but because it's a good pair of thick hose I was able to darn it quite easily and it doesn't even show now. My pair of oatmeal hose is getting quite threadbare in the toes and it may be time to buy a new pair, but at $20 for four years of use at least twice a week (I wear the oatmeal most often) I think that's a pretty good deal, and an extremely fair price.

Andrew.

[Nanook]

So I've noticed something while looking through photos both here and online.

What I generally notice--- especially in online photos--- is that

• Kilts tend to be shown overly long (at times even over the knee)
• Jacket sleeves tend to be too long (even Montrose Doublets are often shown with sleeve lengths befitting an overcoat).
• Shirts seem sub-optimal in fit (and cheap).
• Hose tend to be sub-optimal (especially the Argyle pictures where they often shown with incorrect fit).
• Shoes tend to be cheap and look ill-fitting (but new).

Actually, this applies pretty well to the real world too.

In the "real world" I find kilt lengths tend to be better than in the brochures, jackets nearly as bad (but no worse than business suits)--- which I put to people not knowing better--- and footwear almost always worse. The overwhelming majority (save those wearing ghille shoes which are always cheap and marching bands which tend to wear the piper's equivalent of training shoes) of those wearing a fine handsewn Scottish kilt bottom it off with cheap scuffed up ill-fitting shoes.

Kilt hose? I've seen more fine hose (including hand knit and even Argyle) matched with cheap shoes than good shoes with cheap hose. Do cheap hose (which are really cheap knee socks) really look that bad? Really depends upon the viewing distance and balance. Thin knee socks? In the summer in warm weather I could imagine a pair of thin woven silk (for that matter even matt nylon as silk eratz) or cotton would to most people look better than heavy woolen hose scrunched-down--- and be more comfortable than wearing them "as intended". Scrunched-down hose don't, I think, mix well with bow ties, cravats or lace. Thin socks and heavyweight kilt is perhaps not an optimal match (the kilt really tends to call for something with a bit more mass for balance) but much is convention. How about open crochet knee socks? They may take some "getting used to" among Highland wear afficiandos but .... (historically they are also less off than much of the current fashion).

[Arlen]

Absolutely true, Greg. I've had some cheap hose that I sorely wish I'd never bought. They just don't look good at all.
You're right in saying they can bring down an otherwise wonderful outfit, and that's a shame.
Your grey hose from Freedom Kilts are great. They don't just look good, they look like they feel good to wear.


Admittedly, Diane's got me spoiled now so even the good hose I've bought pale a little.
I'd advise anyone who can save up their pennies to go to someone, ANYONE who can hand knit hose and get a pair for special occasions.
They're fitted just to you! Like a good kilt!

[McMurdo]

I'd advise anyone who can save up their pennies to go to someone, ANYONE who can hand knit hose and get a pair for special occasions.
They're fitted just to you! Like a good kilt!

How right you are Arlen, last night was the RSCDS Tartan Ball I wore my Isle of Skye and my PC with the Isle of Skye hose that Diane knit for me. The hose garnered all the compliments, also with somewhere around 300 people attending there were only 3 of us with Argyll hose, many of the gents seemed to fade into the background because they were wearing off white hose.

I will be posting pictures and a wee report of the evenings festivities once I a home from work.

In short a good quality pair of hose can make an outfit, if you do not want to go hand knit then I would suggest the Hawick sock company, I have 4 pair from them each one are a pleasure to wear and I find myself building an outfit around them.

[PiobBear]

There are times when I like cheap, thin hose. When it's 90 degrees out, they're much, much cooler.

[Nanook]

if you do not want to go hand knit then I would suggest the Hawick sock company

Harwick seems to be a mixed bag. I have some pairs of heavy cashmere/silk (50/50) hose and socks from them that are absolutely wold class. Most of the socks I've more recently seen in shops, by contrast, seem nice but common polywool (and vastly inferior to my "more common" hose from Hose of Edgar). At the other end , however, I've heard that they've taken to make some socks of out Vicuna wool-- not that I've ever buy a pair. Corgi is another company that have made some fine kilt hose over the years but today seems to offer a mixed bag (from high end to mass market).

[billmcc]

There are times when I like cheap, thin hose. When it's 90 degrees out, they're much, much cooler.

I feel your pain, Piobear. I will wear good quality wool hose for semi-formal to formal wear, since such affairs are usually indoors during the summer. However, I have just ordered two pairs of cotton hose for casual wear. It is way too hot and humid here in Florida much of the year to be comfortable in wool hose.

[Chef]

--- and footwear almost always worse. The overwhelming majority (save those wearing ghille shoes which are always cheap and marching bands which tend to wear the piper's equivalent of training shoes) of those wearing a fine handsewn Scottish kilt bottom it off with cheap scuffed up ill-fitting shoes.

I absolutely agree with you. Maybe it is partially from being in the military but I just cant stand the idea of dirty scuffed shoes. Of course a kilt just makes it worse because none of the shoe is hidden by a pant the pant leg.