what kilt hose to wear?

[Galb]

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/c...384/index.html

This is a good read if you have time.

[runewolf]

I think the biggest complaint is that white or cream hose are what you get when you rent an outfit. Most do not want to be accused of renting the outfit they have several hundred dollars tied up in.

[Jdot84]

And I thought I was confused before!!! From what I gather it's ultimitly up to me.
Thanks for all the input and advice.

[Bugbear]

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/c...384/index.html

This is a good read if you have time.

Ha Ha!! I remember that thread.

I even posted in it and made an idiot out of myself there too.

The interesting thing about that thread is that Chef is argueing for the use of cream colored hose with formal attire and that one should follow the kilt rental biz in a way.

Ah... I miss Chef.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Ok, so I'm going to seek the advice of the more experienced here... I realize this thread has dealt primarily with what is appropriate with formal wear, but I sense a measure of opposition to creme/oatmeal colored kilt hose in general. I have a couple pairs of these which I wear on a fairly regular, casual basis. I do have matching flashes for all of my kilts to bring the ensemble together, naturally. I also have a pair of black and a pair of green hose I wear depending on the kilt as well. My question is simply that in most cases, the higher quality creme hose are what come recommended to those new amongst the kilt world... are they generally frowned upon by those who are more 'in-the-know', even for casual wear? I have enough fashion sense not to wear creme hose with a white shirt or other truly white articles of clothing for obvious reasons, but I don't understand the underlying opposition in general.

I think the reason most of us fuddy-duddy trad types advise against white/creme hose is that no matter how expensive (or cheap) they are, they look rented or they look like the wearer has just come from band practice. For the same amount of effort and cash outlay coloured hose look better (insofar as they don't look rented), and mark the wearer out as someone who knows a bit more about fashion and style than the fellow who sold him the socks.

As I said to Nanook on another thread, creme hose always look like white hose that have "gone off colour". The same can't be said for oatmeal, tan, or any other positive colour. It's my opinion, and one that I share with a lot of other men on this forum, that even for casual wear the kilt demands colour, something white/creme socks fail to provide.

Unless one is in a band, or suffering from a tropical foot disease, I can think of no reason for wearing white hose.

[Philip S. Tibbetts]

I find the whole issue abit confusing - I knew that white hose were reserved for pipe bands but was of the opinion that cream was perfectly valid.

I recently appeared on the BBC in my kilts with the cream hose, I did have one person suggest that I should be wearing black with the black kilt and blue with the blue kilt.

Would have these coloured hose not make my flashes (in those tartans) 'invisible' and spoilt the overal effect?

I want my 'look' in the kilt to be quite distinctive with a nod to heritage though not held by it. Restrained but distinctive and 'clean'. That's why i don't think I'll get diced or tartan hose as I think it would detract from the kilt and be too fussy.

Depending on what people say about my above question I may get some pairs of coloured socks, if at least to be able to provide a little variation in my outfit from time to time. Though I do remain convinced that the outfit looks good with cream hose.

[Nanook]

I find the whole issue abit confusing - I knew that white hose were reserved for pipe bands but was of the opinion that cream was perfectly valid.

It is.

I recently appeared on the BBC in my kilts with the cream hose, I did have one person suggest that I should be wearing black with the black kilt and blue with the blue kilt.

No. As mentioned in an earlier thread, I think black hose should be generally avoided by all but those with suitable leg muscle and skin tone... and perhaps even by those. A solid black kilt with black hose can work for some and look very good but not for most.. and when it does not work it looks bad. Some blues can work great with a black kilt. Green hose is a natural for a blue kilt.. Why self-coloured? How about diced or argyle hose with solid flashes to match a minor line of the sock pattern... Solid kilts are, despite history, fashion kilts and so are less bound to rules :-)

Would have these coloured hose not make my flashes (in those tartans) 'invisible' and spoilt the overal effect?

Invisible? Solid red flashes, for example, look good against green tweed hose when worn with kilts with dark greens and a red line. Green flashes against blue hose when worn with a blueish tone tartan etc. Tartan flashes.. Not my cup and not all tartans, I think, are good for flashes but some can look great if worn with hose set in the right colour.

[Bugbear]

The funny thing is, Nanook, that I've been talking about matching skin tone and color etc since I joined; for the most part I agree with you. I finally realized, not too long ago, that almost no one here cares about that stuff. I'm sure many are laughing at me for having talked about it so much.

I've decided it's not worth worrying about except with my own colors and what will look good on me. Though, if people are going to start asking me to fill their watter glass or take their plate away at a black tie dinner because I am wearing cream colored hose, or hose with a different colored cuff, then I don't think I will wear those kind of hose to that kind of dinner.

Though, I am experimenting with putting a gray knee high sock over my cream colored hose with the cream cuff folded over the gray, but that is with my kakhi, canvas kilt. A kind of outdoorsy, hunting look maybe... I just don't feel like throwing my two pairs of cream or off white-ish hose in the trash.

[Stravaiger]

If, like me, you've inherited a surplus of white/cream hsoe over the years then they can easily be dyed to a colour of your choice. I did 2 pairs last weekend usiing Dylon hand-wash dye.

[piperdbh]

I might get bashed for this, but,
How often are any of us around people who actually know and/or care about what color our hose should/should not be? I understand all the differences of opinion about day/evening wear, white for 'pipers, etc. However, it seems there are many of us who think that we are right and everyone else is wrong, (which sometimes can be the case. Just ask my students.)
IMHO, if we are trying to pay respect and honor to our ancestors and heritage, then we should dress and conduct ourselves as best we can, including quality kilt hose that look good and wear well, whatever their color. If we're wearing a kilt because it feels good or because chicks dig it, then wear whatever works.
About the "kilt-for-hire" look: I know I don't get out much, but I've never seen a rented kit, much less rented hose, and if I did I don't believe I would recognize it. I'm sure some of you would, but I hope none of us would have a conniption because of the color of hose someone was wearing. (I still can't bring myself to call them socks. Thanks, Veronica Gainford.) And I further hope no one would point out the offense to the unsuspecting fellow who was bold enough to wear a kilt for the first time. I'm not accusing anyone here of that, but it could happen.
In short, we'll never all agree on every point, and besides, the "rules" are fairly recent inventions which no one has to follow. Remember, this is a Scottish thing, and Scots are not usually folks who abide by someone else's ideas of what they should do, much less wear.