Kilt hose questions

[ForresterModern]

Check out tartanweb for their tartan hose (I think they might be listed under dancers hose) but they come in at only about $120. Also if you do an exhaustive web search you can find a site that has closeouts for around $100 at one site but I cannnot find my bookmark right now and have to run for a flight.

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

My previous post was "Formal Hose--Loads of questions". One problem with tartan web is that the hose are really Argyll and you need to be able to match your tartan. Proper tartan hose does not come cheaply.

Fortunately, there are less expensive options until you make the splurge on tartan hose.

Hunt around for the buckle brogues. I have done business with Bugpiper and like him. Hence the recommendation.

[McMurdo]

I know exactly what you mean, and yes from time to time you do see the buckles on ebay, but not often, I was lucky with the Nicol Bros. Kiltie shoes, in that they are a speciality item and nobody my size saw them.


Re the PS no need to apologize, I just wanted to clarify my position.

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Good deal, McMurdo, Those are what Bugpiper is selling. I don't remember what I paid for them, but it was a good deal at the time. The Kilties are the Mess Dress shoe for the Scottish regiments, my reason for choosing that shoe. The Culloden is for reenactors.

As for kilt hose, go with what you feel comfortable with in regard to your budget. I had preliminary dealings with Kenneth Short regarding Tartan hose, but never got through the order process. I have some on order now from another source for US$210.

One advantage to solid dark hose is that you can wear them with different tartans, so you are not stuck with one kilt for formal. Not to mention the price. I have the Lewis Hose in Green and Navy from Matt Newsome which is a good option for you if your budget is tight.

Kilt hose are like sporrans, go for the best you can afford and save for something better.

[McMurdo]

Well said DoK, I have the Lewis Hose from Matt, as well as the Argyll top hose from the supplier of Lewis hose the Hawick Hose co. I find them to be grand for smart daywear, and am wearing a pair right now, I will be getting a pair of tartan hose to match the Royal Naval Association tartan as soon as I can though, as you say tartan hose only really go with the tartan they are made for, and I too find I like to wear different kilts when dressing formally, until then I will wear a pair of solid colour hose from Hawick.

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Also, one point about tartan hose is that they are "bespoke" (made to measure) in your specific tartan. Hence the expense. The person who is making mine wanted a swatch of my kilt to get the colour correct.

There are lesser priced alternatives out there, but they aren't as "personally tailored" to your needs. So, you have loads of factors which make these costly and take a while to receive from the maker.

I don't knock lesser priced (or more expensive), but realise you are paying for something which isn't common. The more unusual your tartan, the harder to find the hose to match. From one site:

Obviously it is not always possible for you to supply us with a swatch to enable us to match the colours. We do have samples of many of the stock tartans from the bigger mills in Scotland, so if you can tell us your tartan and mill, we can try to match that. Alternatively we can simply make up diced hose to the colours and shade you indicate. However, you must understand that under these circumstances we cannot guarantee that the colours will match your existing tartan.

This place sells tartan hose for US$ 180.08. Not sure what the shipping will be. I think this place had tartan/argyll hose, but they only stocked better known tartans.

[ThreadBbdr]

So, as I continue my quest to build my "uber-formal" kit, I think that it's time to consider hose.

I already have a pair of really nice hand sewn aran hose, but I've read that they are not actually suitable for evening formal wear. So, to avoid getting arrested by the kilt police, maybe I should just drop some cash into some tartan hose.

*snip*
Thanks in advance for all your help.

Barry, you said you have a pair of hand knit Aran hose. Were they a purchase or were they knit by somebody you know? If your knitter can handle simple intarsia, he or she could probably tackle proper argyle socks.

A set of simple cabled hose with diced hose tops to pick up the darker colors in your tartan would be even easier (you can knit them in the round, just like your Aran socks were probably done).

The hose on Matt's site also show yet another option. A very high quality machine made pair of hose with a cuff that is hand knit. The ones on Matts site are probably entralac (I'm pretty certain from the pictures.)

Best of luck in your search for the 'perfect' pair of formal hose.

[DWFII]

Sean,

I didn't know that. 35 years in the Trade and there's always something.

[ForresterModern]

houseoftartan has several different color combos that are supposed to match certain tartans, but only specific ones and in specific sizes. Good news is that if they have your tartan and your size they are only $100.

[The Barry]

The aran hose that I already have were actually purchased when I was in a pipe band, so they are hand made, but not by anyone I know. I think that I'll just end up biting the bullet and dropping the cash for a nice pair of tartan hose. I'll be mad at myself if I don't..

So then, my outfit will consist of (when I actually start buying the stuff):

Tank in Douglas Modern
Matching hose and my trusty Ghillies (no buckles, I'm keeping the laces!)
Argyll jacket and waistcoat
Some as-yet-to-be-determined black sporran, belt, and a cool buckle
And I'll need a cool new sgian dubh

Wow, I really like to over-do things!