Castellated Hose

**OC Richard** · 19th June 21, 07:22 PM

Another thread got me pondering on when these originated.

What's the earliest image? Are they seen in non-Highland dress, or only in Highland Dress?

Judging from their rarity in the iconography they never had wide popularity, seeming to be something of an affectation.

Here's the earliest image I can think of, an Allen brothers selfie:

They usually seem associated with elaborate Highland costume. This is the only image I can think of at the moment which shows them in a Day Dress/Outdoor Dress context.

As an educated guess I will assume that the entire costume- the spats, the hose, the kilt, the jacket, the cap- is grey or taupe.

They mostly disappear from 20th century imagery.

This catalogue doesn't show them, though they show quite a variety

Yet here they are in a 1936 catalogue! I think it's the only vintage catalogue I have which offers them.

It's my favourite Prince Charlie outfit of all time: green PC, tartan waistcoat, jabot, castellated hose. It's a far cry from the 1980s Kilt Hire PC outfit!

As a matter of full disclosure, here are my castellated hose intended to go with an Isle Of Skye kilt

**McMurdo** · 19th June 21, 08:10 PM

I have thought about getting castellated hose for a while, one day I'll get a pair.

**figheadair** · 19th June 21, 11:15 PM

I don't own a copy but I seem to recall Scotty Thompson's So You're Going to Wear the Kilt saying somethng along the lines of 'thoe only correct hose for evening ware are Castellated Hose'. One of too many definitive statements in his book.

**Jock Scot** · 20th June 21, 01:03 AM

I seem to recall that in the distant past, Matt Newsome posted on this website a good picture of himself wearing this type of hose and the garter ties.

I cannot say that I have worked up much enthusiasm for that style of hose though and try as I might, I cannot recall anyone actually wearing them for real here in Scotland.

**Bruce Scott** · 20th June 21, 01:24 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I seem to recall that in the distant past, Matt Newsome posted on this website a good picture of himself wearing this type of hose and the garter ties.

That's correct, this image is from his post here: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...es-hose-58376/

**OC Richard** · 20th June 21, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

So You're Going to Wear the Kilt saying something along the lines of 'the only correct hose for evening wear are Castellated Hose'.

How silly!

They seem always to have been somewhat rare, a bit over-the-top.

What I wonder is, could the Allen brothers have invented the things? Perhaps by analogy with the castellated clothing trope encountered in modern depictions of the Middle Ages?

If not invent, the Allen Brothers may have done much to make them more popular.

**figheadair** · 20th June 21, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

If not invent, the Allen Brothers may have done much to make them more popular.

Agreed Richard. There Costume of the Clans featured catellated type hose.

Click image for larger version.

Name: Costume of the Clans.jpg
Views: 10
Size: 105.1 KB
ID: 40247

**Touchstone** · 21st June 21, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

How silly!

They seem always to have been somewhat rare, a bit over-the-top.

What I wonder is, could the Allen brothers have invented the things? Perhaps by analogy with the castellated clothing trope encountered in modern depictions of the Middle Ages?

If not invent, the Allen Brothers may have done much to make them more popular.

Not just modern depictions. Castellated hoods and tunics were common in the High Middle Ages among the upper classes. The style is usually called "dagged" or "crenellated" in this context. If you scroll down on the following page and click on the "Historical Inspirations" down-arrow, you'll see some renderings from period paintings.

https://revivalclothing.com/product/...-3f737b1f-9d6f

As to what inspired the Allen brothers, I can't say.

**OC Richard** · 21st June 21, 05:11 PM

Thanks for that!

They refer to Gaston Phoebus' Hunting Book (c1388) which I'd never heard of. It has an amazing collection of detailed paintings showing the clothing of the period.

If only we had something like that showing Highland Dress!

I wonder what the earliest depiction of castellated hose is. In the Hunting Book it appears on head-dress.

(I posted an image from the Hunting Book, then removed it when I realised it probably violates a number of rules here! It's pretty gruesome.)