putees...tartan???

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I'm as willing to laugh at "the other bugger" as the next man is. That said, when someone asks for advice, I usually try to steer them away from doing something that will make them the object of other men's mirth.

If one follows the advice of William Morris ("Own nothing that is not practical and beautiful.") then one doesn't subscribe to the idea that one should do as they wish, even if it doesn't look right.

Of course styles of fashion come and go, quite often due to matters of practicality brought on by technological changes in society. Heaters in motorcars have rendered the wearing of heavy wool overcoats unnecessary when out for a spin in the dead of winter, just as modern fabrics have pretty much confined the heavy wool overcoat to the back of the closet.

The wristwatch has all but supplanted the pocket watch as an item of general apparel, but because the functionality of both are equal, the choosing of one over the other is merely a matter of style.

Puttees, on the other hand, have been rendered superfluous by the advent of superior leg protection. That they owe their existence to 19th century military niggardliness (they were cheaper than proper boots for the troops) would certainly mitigate against their acceptance as an item of general, or even casual, civilian wear better than a century later.

Hence, when asked for an opinion regarding whether or not puttees should be worn with the kilt, my answer was a resounding NO WAY!

I should point out that I'd say the same thing about cowboy boots with the kilt, or knee high fish net stockings, or clown shoes, for that matter.

People are, of course, free to do as they please. But before embarking on the seas of personal expression, they would do well to remember the old adage:

Laugh, and the world laughs with you, cry and you are probably the person they are laughing at.

[fluter]

The wristwatch has all but supplanted the pocket watch as an item of general apparel, but because the functionality of both are equal, the choosing of one over the other is merely a matter of style.

Just for the record, lads, I must report that the wristwatch is now completely out of fashion. If you ask an 18-year-old for the time, the look at their PHONE!

[Carolina Kiltman]

My father had puttees, they were leather, moulded to fit his legs, and fastened with a looooong leather strap about 1/2" (13mm) wide. The strap went through slots on one side. Many if not most, men wore high-top shoes, (as did the kids), and the puttees covered the top of the shoe.

He only wore them when out hiking, as they were not considered proper for normal day wear. For riding, a tall boot was always worn.

I can see wearing them for rugged outdoor work, but not otherwise.

[Derek Conley]

Just for the record, lads, I must report that the wristwatch is now completely out of fashion. If you ask an 18-year-old for the time, the look at their PHONE!

Actually, ask a certain 33-year-old (me), and I'll do the same thing. I only wear one of my wristwatches when I'm wearing something decent anymore.

[Jock Scot]

Just for the record, lads, I must report that the wristwatch is now completely out of fashion. If you ask an 18-year-old for the time, the look at their PHONE!

Good lord do they? Can you tell the time from your mobile phone?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Good lord do they? Can you tell the time from your mobile phone?

Yes, it can be done. Here's how:

1) hold your phone perfectly flat in the palm of your hand, with the screen facing up.
2) now point your phone due north.
3) balance a golf tee in the centre of the screen.
4) the mobile phone will now work like a sun dial, and the shadow of the golf tee will indicate the approximate time.
5) be sure to take into consideration whether or not you are on summer time.

NB: after dark it is advisable to use a wooden match or a paraffin cigar lighter to create enough light to cause the golf tee to cast a shadow. The results obtained using this method may, however, be less accurate than those obtained by following the above instructions.

I hope that helps.

--Scott

[Derek Conley]

Eye of the beholder, and all that. Were I to see the gentleman wearing them, I most certainly wouldn't laugh. Matter of fact, I'd think, "Hey, cool, that's different..."

To each their own, yes?

[Thunderbolt]

Yes....

But most of us here wear kilts! More often than not a subject of mirth unbeknownst to the person wearing the kilt many times, I'm sure.

Am I going to stop wearing one because of that....?! Of course not.

Putees, regardless of original use, I think have usefulness today. For instance, I live in a desert. everything that grows or lives in the desert is pokey, stingy, sharp or just plain miserable to be around. But I enjoy hiking and camping. I can say that a pair of putees would be helpful for me. It would save ruining a good pair of hose and my lower legs if I were kilted, and possibly give added protection against snake bites. All sounds nice to me, although I wouldn't trust them against snakes, but it might help....

I have a good set of gaiters, made by Oregon Research. I know that wearing them in the desert would ruin them quickly as they are (aren't most gaitors?) waterproof. They wouldn't be waterproof after!! Not to mention a good pair of kilt hose!

Now I've convinced myself to get a pair and try them out. I've got several pair of khaki hose and a new 22oz Gordon coming from WPG, so they would go well with that getup!

Will they look silly? Sure. But so does the kilt to the uneducated or ignorant. Hasn't stopped me yet!

Either way, I see the point. But I fear we've come WAY of the orignal topic!


T.

[macwilkin]

Yes....

But most of us here wear kilts! More often than not a subject of mirth unbeknownst to the person wearing the kilt many times, I'm sure.

Am I going to stop wearing one because of that....?! Of course not.

Putees, regardless of original use, I think have usefulness today. For instance, I live in a desert. everything that grows or lives in the desert is pokey, stingy, sharp or just plain miserable to be around. But I enjoy hiking and camping. I can say that a pair of putees would be helpful for me. It would save ruining a good pair of hose and my lower legs if I were kilted, and possibly give added protection against snake bites. All sounds nice to me, although I wouldn't trust them against snakes, but it might help....

I have a good set of gaiters, made by Oregon Research. I know that wearing them in the desert would ruin them quickly as they are (aren't most gaitors?) waterproof. They wouldn't be waterproof after!! Not to mention a good pair of kilt hose!

Now I've convinced myself to get a pair and try them out. I've got several pair of khaki hose and a new 22oz Gordon coming from WPG, so they would go well with that getup!

Will they look silly? Sure. But so does the kilt to the uneducated or ignorant. Hasn't stopped me yet!

Either way, I see the point. But I fear we've come WAY of the orignal topic!


T.

Exactly my point; in the field/countryside, I can see a practical use for them, but as Rathdown mentioned, there are better alternatives today for them. Otherwise, wearing puttees with mufti wouldn't look right.

Regards,

Todd

[pdcorlis]

...Putees, regardless of original use, I think have usefulness today. For instance, I live in a desert. everything that grows or lives in the desert is pokey, stingy, sharp or just plain miserable to be around. But I enjoy hiking and camping. I can say that a pair of putees would be helpful for me. It would save ruining a good pair of hose and my lower legs if I were kilted, and possibly give added protection against snake bites. All sounds nice to me, although I wouldn't trust them against snakes, but it might help....

T.

My point exactly. Regardless of origin, some items find added life due to their elegant simplicity. I'm not much of a fashionista but I do appreciate those items that simply solve a few of life's problems. WPG sells them for ~ $10 and that appeals to my thrifty nature. Would I wear them in the middle of town? Nope. But when out bushwhacking through the Idaho countryside - I say what "fits" with a kilt better?

One more thing - if I worried about what everyone else thought, I doubt I'd be a daily kilt wearer in the first place.

Cheeers!