Khaki/tan socks

**Tobus** · 15th July 14, 04:49 AM

Originally Posted by Benning Boy

I used to think STM might be cool, but the more I try to do business with them, the more I'm inclined to think they are kind of a fly by night operation. It's the no-name suppliers who seem to be giving the best customer service, from my stand point, with the prominent exception of two or three X Markers.

The STM is not a fly-by-night operation. They've been around a long time, and they are a prominent organisation in the Scottish-American cultural scene. They have contacts with, and do business with, some of the best Scottish businesses that supply Highland clothing items, as well as tartan weavers.

You're relatively new here, so you probably weren't around when Matt Newsome was more active on this forum, and was an excellent contact/resource for the STM. I think he is still technically their president, but has moved on to another career for his daily work (as I recall he was hired on in some capacity with a Catholic organisation, but my memory may be fuzzy). He also still has his own family of websites at http://www.newhousehighland.com/ . Judging by the fact that the STM has scaled way back on the products they sell in their gift shop, and the reduced customer service, it appears that no one has been able to fill Matt's shoes in that regard. But this doesn't mean that they're a fly-by-night operation.

Matt also remains the North American distributor for House of Cheviot hose. So if you happen to be looking for HoS hose but are unwilling to purchase from the STM, you may be able to find them from one of the listed vendors: http://www.scottishkilthose.com/retail.html

**Riverkilt** · 15th July 14, 06:58 AM

Thanks for all the Khaki variations. That is why the knitters produce a photo of their version of khaki and HOPEFULLY remain true to that shade in what they ship.
Or as close as various monitors can be to that color they photograph to show us what they, the knitters, mean by "khaki."

And STM has been around a long time and has a good name. Just realize they are small and do not stock many products they advertise. One large hose order
I placed for Lewis hose was eventually drop shipped to me from the manufacturer's U.S. warehouse. This khaki hose order was in turn ordered from the manufacturer
and will be shipped to STM who will forward it to me. Same with their L&M Sporrans. Just need to know and understand that up front.

They do better than the "We have it all" jobbers of things Scottish that really have nothing and when you order the "We have it all" jobbers
assemble your order by placing orders with the manufacturers. Not like you could go to their place and see a stocked warehouse of goods
waiting to ship. So your wait time is based on what's going on at the manufacturer.

That's why its so nice to order direct from the manufacturers who will sell direct to us.

**DyerStraits** · 15th July 14, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by Benning Boy

Wow! Thanks for the tip on the trachten hose. The Kilt Kops would have a fit knowing a guy was mixing trachtenmode with traditional highland dress, but if you kept your distance, you might avoid a dressing down. I'm going to place an order.

Yes, that's me, Mr. Cross-Cultural, always stirring the pot. If you see someone wearing a Loden trachten riding jacket instead of an Argyle, blame it on me.....

**Benning Boy** · 15th July 14, 08:21 AM

Got an email today from Pennine Socks, mentioned at the top of all this. Apparently they do make the khaki/tan socks being looked for. They are shipping a batch in August to this place: http://www.bsaltd.com/MensAccessories2.htm The Chelsea style is supposed to be the right thing.

As for STM, I've been following this forum for years, but only fairly recently joined. I think even before discovering X Marks I knew about STM. I regretted that on a trip through the Southeast I wasn't able to visit. I'd gotten the idea through on-line reading they were a pretty good outfit. However, of my many attempts to deal with them, only once have they come through, and delivered a book that happened to be in stock, but it seemed to take forever.

I've ordered things for Kilt Kamp and a few other items from Highland Express, a little no-name business. They don't have an e-commerce site, orders have to be phoned in, but it's like BOOM! the order arrives in the mail box. They're as good as Amazon Prime. Why can't the Big Dogs provide that kind of service?

**fluter** · 17th July 14, 07:04 AM

Orvis also has offered a tan shooting sock. I once found them on sale, and snapped up two pairs which I've liked. If I recall correctly they are all or nearly all wool.

OrvisShootingSocks by arcturus1997, on Flickr

In Gaelic Themes hose, you want the "oatmeal" color. Here they are (at left) with a GT "cream" (right). In the center are two cream which sort of took a walnut dye to become a tan marl. The cream hose are a different blend, maybe 45% wool with acrylic, polyester, and nylon---so that dye job was a real shot in the dark.

WalnutDyed by arcturus1997, on Flickr

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 17th July 14, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

The STM is not a fly-by-night operation. They've been around a long time, and they are a prominent organisation in the Scottish-American cultural scene. They have contacts with, and do business with, some of the best Scottish businesses that supply Highland clothing items, as well as tartan weavers.

You're relatively new here, so you probably weren't around when Matt Newsome was more active on this forum, and was an excellent contact/resource for the STM. I think he is still technically their president, but has moved on to another career for his daily work (as I recall he was hired on in some capacity with a Catholic organisation, but my memory may be fuzzy). He also still has his own family of websites at http://www.newhousehighland.com/ . Judging by the fact that the STM has scaled way back on the products they sell in their gift shop, and the reduced customer service, it appears that no one has been able to fill Matt's shoes in that regard. But this doesn't mean that they're a fly-by-night operation.

Matt also remains the North American distributor for House of Cheviot hose. So if you happen to be looking for HoS hose but are unwilling to purchase from the STM, you may be able to find them from one of the listed vendors: http://www.scottishkilthose.com/retail.html

FYI, Matt no longer plays any role with the STM, and the STM is struggling mightily to make it financially. A lot of nice folks that work/volunteer at the STM, but it appears that they really could use somebody to come in and help them manage and grow the business, and also improve the on-line customer service experience. Just my 2 cents.

**ASinclair** · 19th July 14, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by Benning Boy

Got an email today from Pennine Socks, mentioned at the top of all this. Apparently they do make the khaki/tan socks being looked for. They are shipping a batch in August to this place: http://www.bsaltd.com/MensAccessories2.htm The Chelsea style is supposed to be the right thing.

As for STM, I've been following this forum for years, but only fairly recently joined. I think even before discovering X Marks I knew about STM. I regretted that on a trip through the Southeast I wasn't able to visit. I'd gotten the idea through on-line reading they were a pretty good outfit. However, of my many attempts to deal with them, only once have they come through, and delivered a book that happened to be in stock, but it seemed to take forever.

I've ordered things for Kilt Kamp and a few other items from Highland Express, a little no-name business. They don't have an e-commerce site, orders have to be phoned in, but it's like BOOM! the order arrives in the mail box. They're as good as Amazon Prime. Why can't the Big Dogs provide that kind of service?

Highland Express is a great little company! You just call and talk to Mary Beth, and poof! you get stuff 2 days later! I first ordered some kilt straps last year when my wife was making my kilt and that went smooth. When I started Scottish country dance, I called and ordered dance ghillies. Mary Beth sent me 2 pairs because she wasn't sure which would fit me better. The smaller size fit perfectly, so I just returned the other pair. Her customer service is awesome.

With the STM Gift Shop, when I find something I want on their website, I always call to order. If they have it in stock, I will have it 2 days later. If they have to order it from Scotland, it will be a few weeks. They will tell you if it is in stock or not.

**Creag** · 19th July 14, 07:35 PM

Allen - what's the URL for Highland Express? Is it the same company as Highland X Press?

**ASinclair** · 19th July 14, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Creag

Allen - what's the URL for Highland Express? Is it the same company as Highland X Press?

Hi Creag,

Yes, Highland X Press and here is the URL => http://www.highlandxpress.com/

**Riverkilt** · 8th September 14, 05:20 PM

Well, I just received my two pair of "khaki" Lewis kilt hose today. They were shipped on 9/3 just a hair under two months wait. As Creag warned they are, in fact, a color that Americans call Olive Drab. There is no resemblance to the khaki color shown on their website for khaki Lewis kilt hose. Not even variations in monitor color could account for the difference.

No clue why they would misrepresent the color...but they have. Maybe some day the Lewis hose folks will make their lovely kilt hose in an American Khaki color.