Kilt hose observations

[Jack Daw]

That's why I became a Lewis hose junkie...from STM...more, but worth it for sure. Thick, and with a good turn down. Which reminds me...I need a few more colors....

Ron

I just ordered my first pair. Black.

[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).

[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.

[Highland Logan]

...ghille shoes which are always cheap...

I would disagree with ghilles being cheap. I have a pair of black Lochcarron ghillies, they warn't cheap, and are a very nice shoe. To say that all ghillies are cheap, would be the same as saying all oxfords are cheap. You are picking a type of shoe rather than a manufacturer. And as to hose once again, all Lochcarron except for my "tartan" hose.

Frank

[Nanook]

I would disagree with ghilles being cheap. I have a pair of black Lochcarron ghillies, they warn't cheap, and are a very nice shoe.

Compared to?

To say that all ghillies are cheap, would be the same as saying all oxfords are cheap.

While there are cheap oxfords there are also some very nice ones available. I, however, know of no-one making really good quality ghillie brogues. Thistle's shoes are among the best and their best I'd not consider a good shoe by the scale I use to judge shoes by. Although their best is "Goodyear welted" the workmanship seems to cry out "sub-continent" and the leathers corrected-grain--- on the other hand I know of no shoe in that price class that I'd consider good either.

P.S.: To my knowledge Lochcarron does not make shoes--- sourced from other companies like many of the items they sell under the brand.

[BoldHighlander]

While there are cheap oxfords there are also some very nice ones available. I, however, know of no-one making really good quality ghillie brogues.

Perhaps these?
http://www.celticempire.com/Merchant..._Code=footwear

[beloitpiper]

Perhaps these?
http://www.celticempire.com/Merchant..._Code=footwear

ooooOOOOOooo
those are nice.