Cream/White Hose or NOT

[Mael Coluim]

Thanks to JimB who posted, yesterday this article on kilts in The Scotsman, I read the following;

“Both Howie and Nick advise against white socks, which are popular with the kilt hire trade. Howie can't abide them, though Nick is a little more forgiving. "Cream or white hose still offend some traditionalists. But it is possibly time to accept that white is now more orthodox," he concedes.”

That was new to me. So what do you think are cream or ‘white’ socks tacky or acceptable? To the traditionalists who are offended by cream or white socks, why?

[ccga3359]

With a multitude of colours available why go white at all? I think white draws the eyes to the hose. I know when I see a flash of white sock between jeans and shoes I notice that. No white or off-white for me but I'm no traditionalist nor kilt police.

[Ozman1944]

They seem to be frowned on, but hey, they don't pay my bills, I wear white hose sometimes. It's a free country last time I looked, wear what you like.

[gilmore]

Cream socks are worn with day wear. White socks are worn only by pipers (and formerly by footmen), other than by those who take their lead from the kilt rental business, who started the story that white hose are appropriate for evening wear because it is cheaper for them to keep them in stock than diced or argyle hose.

[pdcorlis]

Many think "oatmeal" or "stone" colored hose are the perfect go to color for kilted day wear. Both are darker than cream and I think make for a better look. But - what YOU wear is your business.

[Panache]

Here is my take.

Stop thinking about what rental businesses do because of the bottom line and feeling superior to them.

OK?

No, you haven't done it. You are still feeling smug and superior. I want you to clear your mind of all preconceptions about cream and white hose.

OK?

Much better.

Now think about your kilted outfit.

Are white hose going to work with YOUR outfit or not?

It is as simple as that.

I have previously mentioned that formal outfits have a wonderful balance of balck, white, and the vivid tartan. White hose can work just fine. Even more so if you are planning on wearing formal ghillie brigues as the lacing will show up magnificently against the white. Now diced hose or matching tartan hose are going to be even sharper. But it will be at the sacrifice of that simple balance of black, white, and tartan.

For non-formal outfits I would ask you to think about the tartan in question . I was recently given a purple based tartan kilt by my wife. I don't have purple hose, but the tartan has white and black in it. I have worn it now with both black and purple hose and the white work just fine.

My point? Rather than take either the rental shop's position as white (or off white) as a one-color-fits-all solution, or a reactionary "it's commonly used so it must be wrong" attitude, try to see white and off white as an option. Just like red, lovat blue, purple, or maroon. It's just a color. Use it as an option as needed and appropriate.

Just my thoughts.

Cheers

Jamie

[gilmore]

... It's just a color. ...

Spoken like a true Californian.

[Chef]

I prefer cream hose for formal attire. I think it looks less busy and lets the kilt stand out. I always get a kick from the idea we need to be different from the kilt hire industry. Why? Most people who buy a tux go for the same look as they get from a tux rental shop. What's the problem?

None other than our own Hamish can be seen sporting cream hose for formal wear.

[gilmore]

... Most people who buy a tux go for the same look as they get from a tux rental shop. ....

Only those who don't mind dressing as if they don't know any better.

[James MacMillan]

You find all sides to this argument. Me? I wear black hose with the PC because I like it! No other reason!