Opinon on Hose for Formal Wear

[Tobus]

The hose with a solid leg and patterned cuff I tend to think of as more appropriate for daywear than eveningwear.

I agree with Matt on this point. Maybe because I'm used to seeing this style (solid leg and patterned cuffs) used as "shooting socks" and such... they have been imprinted on my brain as outdoorsy type hose, not formal.

[davidlpope]

It is my humble opinion that the proper hose should be either correctly colored diced or full argyle.

I'll go one further (it is a bit off subject), ghillie brogues are not for formal either. Why do you think they are called ghillies. I believe that in order to properly attired for fromal, buckle brogues should be worn.

My views on this have changed over time, but I agree with you on this. Although I've moved away from ghillies, altogether, I have seen examples of ghille brogues "dressed up" with buckles and red laces that didn't look out of place with evening wear. At this point I think one only needs four pairs of hose and two pairs of shoes for kilted wear:

Day:
Lovat Blue, Lovat Green or Bottle Green, Dark Red or Claret hose
Black balmoral full-brogues

Evening:
Diced or Argyll Hose to match/tone with kilt
Bar and buckle brogues

[MacLowlife]

I can't argue with anyone so far.

Spartan T, I think we need to remember that "it's just that way" is often the way in other places. Why is Navy blue dressier than brown? Why are checks casual and stripes dressy? Well, just because.

Having said that, I can imagine the yellow hose with certain tartans, even in a formal or semi-formal situation. And, if there were other combinations available, I would imagine some of them might work- say bright red or royal blue or maybe forest/ bottle green. Most of the colors shown are "warm" or "soft" colors, which somehow are associated with the outdoors and country pursuits.

Don't ask me, I don't make the rules. I just break 'em.

[RussellSm]

I believe that a can of worms has been opened on this subject. To the statement about the military is somewhat correct. However, Scottish military dress is based on traditional highland dress. If you look at any of the prints of R.R. McIan, you will notice that the vast majority of the hose that are depicted are either diced or tartan style.

Solid color hose are a relatively new innovation. I have read that tartan and diced hose evolved from the wearing of tradional highland trews. These trews were somewhat snug in fit and a ribbon was tied about the upper calf.
Sir John Sincalir of Ulbster (yes Ublster) was consiered a great authority of his time on highland dress. Sir John maintained that the trews and not the kilt were the most ancient for of attire. Hence the origin of tartan/diced hose.

I believe that anythjing that can be worn for day wear is not suitable for evening/formal. I would urge anyone that does not have a copy of J.C. Thompson's book 'So You're Going to Wear the Klt' obtain one. J.C. for those of you who may not have known his was considered to be a terrific authority. And not a fellow to boot.

To steel a phase from Tevya in 'The fiddler on the Roof'.. Tradition...Tradition.

[macwilkin]

I believe that a can of worms has been opened on this subject. To the statement about the military is somewhat correct. However, Scottish military dress is based on traditional highland dress. If you look at any of the prints of R.R. McIan, you will notice that the vast majority of the hose that are depicted are either diced or tartan style.

Solid color hose are a relatively new innovation. I have read that tartan and diced hose evolved from the wearing of tradional highland trews. These trews were somewhat snug in fit and a ribbon was tied about the upper calf.
Sir John Sincalir of Ulbster (yes Ublster) was consiered a great authority of his time on highland dress. Sir John maintained that the trews and not the kilt were the most ancient for of attire. Hence the origin of tartan/diced hose.

I believe that anythjing that can be worn for day wear is not suitable for evening/formal. I would urge anyone that does not have a copy of J.C. Thompson's book 'So You're Going to Wear the Klt' obtain one. J.C. for those of you who may not have known his was considered to be a terrific authority. And not a fellow to boot.

To steel a phase from Tevya in 'The fiddler on the Roof'.. Tradition...Tradition.

Thompson's overview is a good place to start, but one most keep in mind that it was written primarily for a North American audience. I would also recommend more current guides to Highland attire written by our own Matt Newsome and Nick Feddes, as well as Bob Martin.

T.

[Spartan Tartan]

Jock, I appreciate the feedback. I guess I sort of figured that to be the answer, but on the chance that there was some historically significant/meaningful reason I figured I would ask.

Now that I know, "it's just done that way", I had better save my pennies for a nice set of diced hose.

[davidlpope]

I would urge anyone that does not have a copy of J.C. Thompson's book 'So You're Going to Wear the Klt' obtain one. J.C. for those of you who may not have known his was considered to be a terrific authority.

I also urge caution when it comes to Thompson. I hold him personally responsible for the current widely-accepted notion that a surplus military uniform blouse is appropriate highland day attire....

[Biathlonman]

I have to agree with RussellSm - who also put things so tactfully. He's a wise man.
I recently upgraded to diced hose for highland formal and feel I should write out 100 times on a blackboard, I will not wear those white hose, I will not wear those white hose...

[MacLowlife]

DLP, I have to admit to believing Thompson on the converted military blouse. But even without him, I would like it a sight better than the Pyrate Waistcoate he calls the peitean- which he heartily endorses.

[davidlpope]

But even without him, I would like it a sight better than the Pyrate Waistcoate he calls the peitean- which he heartily endorses.

Agreed. Aarggh! Prepare to be Boarded!