Kilt hose observations

[Phil]

From an American lassies perspective:
We are looking at your 'bonnie knees' and we see hose/socks or footwear that distract from the view... we quit looking. Also, like the rest of attire it should co-ordinate and look good together. Let your whole outfit accent your manliness not distract from it and make you look bad. I've seen soccer socks and running shoes at highland games on non-athletes and I ask... 'Why?" Handsome man, nice kilt, sharp shirt.. don't forget where are eyes will end up.

Aidmheil, Mòralach, Misneach

Well said. Why spoil the outfit with cheap socks?

[Nanook]

Nanook
Do you recall what it is that you write up? First you reply to me by saying that in your experience Hawick hose are a "mixed bag",

They are a mixed bag: their offerings span from some of the finest luxury socks to some pretty standard mixed fibre kilt/shooting socks. I also mentioned in the same statement the brand "Corgi". As holder of a 'Royal Warrant' they supply the regiments with tartan and diced hose as well as HRH Prince Charles but also a mass of plush Acrylic socks to dept stores.

then a few pages later you are recommending them to someone...

The issue was "thin". They are not stretched thin. Not even their pedestrian models.

Hawick Hose are some of the best on the market for the price point why would you disagree with what I had to say about them?

I honestly don't know the price point.

[Cawdorian]

You don't have to spend a mint to look good in highland wear, there are many great looking middle of the road accessories that can be bought for a reasonable price and are a good value in quality, utility and appearance. I can't see myself spending $ 150 or $250 on a pair a hose. The Lewis hose are a very good option and are a cut above ordinary wool kilt hose, they have plenty of turn down on the cuff as well as a distinctive look.

As for shoes, most of the ghillies I have see in the market place are not of very high quality nor are they worth the money. You can purchase a pair of good wing tip shoes with very nice leather for around $100 a pair. The Lewis hose and a good pair of shiny black classic wing tips (with a narrow welt) will certainly add to the looks of your outfit. I agree that it doesn't make sense to spend the money for a good hand made tank and then skimp on the hose and shoes. I am aware of how much money I spend on accessories and am always looking for the best value for my money and I do like to look sharp.

[Chef]

From an American lassies perspective:
We are looking at your 'bonnie knees' and we see hose/socks or footwear that distract from the view... we quit looking. Also, like the rest of attire it should co-ordinate and look good together. Let your whole outfit accent your manliness not distract from it and make you look bad. I've seen soccer socks and running shoes at highland games on non-athletes and I ask... 'Why?" Handsome man, nice kilt, sharp shirt.. don't forget where are eyes will end up.

Aidmheil, Mòralach, Misneach

Thank you lassie.

Well said. Why spoil the outfit with cheap socks?

Glad to see your still with us Phil.

[Highland Logan]

With bespoke (in contrast to made-to-order) shoes a peronalized last is created--- based upon an existing pattern but built around the specifics of the customer foot. Increasingly bespoke shoes (in orthopedic applications) use computer generated lasts (cut using CNC machines). The fine bespoke makers use wood, lathes and hand-tools but that's also part of the mystique and allure. Since shoe fit is philosophical there are no absolutes of fit only general concepts of ill-fit. In the 1920s several shoemakers took to using X-rays to examine the foot in shoe to judge fit.

Retrived from Wikipedia

Bespoke is usually a British English term for tailored clothing made at a customer's behest, and exactly to the customer's specification. Bespoke clothing is created without use of a pre-existing pattern, differentiating it from made to measure, which alters a standard-sized pattern to fit the customer.

Made to measure typically refers to clothing that is sewn from a standard-sized base pattern. A tailored suit is a common example of a made-to-measure garment. The fit of a made-to-measure garment is expected to be superior to that of a ready-to-wear garment because ready-to-wear garments are constructed to fit the manufacturer’s definition of an average customer, while made-to-measure garments are constructed to fit each customer individually.

Frank

[Nanook]

Retrived from Wikipedia

The Wiki pedia is hardly Talmud.

Bespoke is usually a British English term for tailored clothing made at a customer's behest, and exactly to the customer's specification.

So the marketing.. What's that slogan from SubWay? "Eat Fresh" :-)

Bespoke clothing is created without use of a pre-existing pattern, differentiating it from made to measure, which alters a standard-sized pattern to fit the customer.

The reality is that one does not design new clothing for the king. Even up to the 1950s when bespoke was still "be spoke" it did not entail a new design pattern but comparatively minor modifications of existing patterns (from a large collection that a good shop would have) to fit a customer. During the construction the tailoring would be modified (its just applied geometry with a few points that one can easily shift to get a desired effect) and tuned.

Made to measure typically refers to clothing that is sewn from a standard-sized base pattern.

These terms never meant anything about quality and now in the era of computer controlled textile production these terms increasingly mean nothing at all.

[toneinedin]

Not sure what people mean when they say "cheap hose" since you can pick them up at the mill for fairly inexpensively (£4). Bought online and shipped to the US, 4 pair will run you roughly $13 a piece postage included. They aren't hand woven or anything, but they are the real deal. Decent Hose in the States cost around $20 at most retailers.

Lets be honest, what kind of hose can you expect for £4.00 ? Its not really a realistic price for socks of any description although i wouldnt suggest every should wear £100 kilt hose it is obvious you cannot really compae the two. We are too accustomed to cheap imported chinese clothing which is often just disposable clothing to see the value of a pair of hand linked argyll hose made in merino wool in a british factory paying decent wages.

As for the shoes i saw pictured, they might not be ghillie brogues but they were a fine looking pair of shoes and a heck of alot better than alot of so called ghillie brogues one can see people wearing.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Back to hose !
I often make a compromise in buying Swiss mountain walking hose AND add home made knitting to make it tip-top.

[Jack Daw]

That's why I became a Lewis hose junkie...from STM...more, but worth it for sure. Thick, and with a good turn down. Which reminds me...I need a few more colors....

Ron

I just ordered my first pair. Black.

[Jack Daw]

As with anything "bespoke", someone should only do it to please himself. Telling people "Look, I'm wearing custom shoes made from 200 year old reindeer hide!" is, quite simply, vulgar. Are the $2500 shoes worth it? It depends on whether or not the buyer can keep his mouth shut.

Saying it is not really the issue; although, this site seems to be about showing off new purchases, and I really don't find that so vulgar. What's the real point in owning 300-yr-old leather?