Socks / Hose

**The Q** · 8th February 16, 02:40 AM

When ever I've searched online for "Kilt hose" that is what I've typed, But it came up on another site that someone had bought socks with garter ties at an expensive London Store. I noticed online they are in the Hunting and Shooting Department.
Typing in "Shooting Socks" brings up a huge variety of suitable socks for Kilts some with garter ties. It even works on the Amazon UK and Ebay UK sites.

**ShaunMaxwell** · 8th February 16, 11:24 AM

House of Cheviot, a manufacturer of high-quality hose, makes both "country socks" and Highland hose.

https://www.houseofcheviot.com/

**JonathanB** · 8th February 16, 12:54 PM

This is the picture which inspired The Q. I did buy the socks and garters in the winter sale.

**The Wizard of BC** · 8th February 16, 02:54 PM

House of Cheviot are actually one of the Advertisers here. They are the maker of the shooting socks in the above pic and have quite a range of socks other than 'kilt hose'.

It really is worth your while giving them a look.

**JonathanB** · 8th February 16, 11:38 PM

I bought these hose with tie garters at Gordon Nicholson in Canongate.

The difference between shooting socks and kilt hose, as far as I can make out, is that the socks are English and to be worn with plus fours and the hose are Scots and to be worn with kilts.

I'm English and have never seen anyone wear plus fours in real life (as opposed to comedies set in the 1930s).

They are probably only worn on Scottish grouse moors.

**Jock Scot** · 9th February 16, 01:01 AM

Only on Scottish grouse moors? Not quite! I have been shooting 43 times this season in England and Wales(31 in Scotland) and on each day there would be between 6 and 10 Guns(people shooting) all wearing plus 4's, plus 2's etc, then the keepers, pickers up, loaders(if required), some beaters and general hangers on would all be wearing plus somethings too. There is quite a market for shooting hose in the UK. In fact , possibly a bigger one than the kilt hose one.

**JonathanB** · 9th February 16, 01:15 AM

Other than use and context, Jock, is there any difference between kilt hose and shooting socks? Could you tell the difference by looking?

I've heard that the socks are a bit longer, but I find I have to double turn over the top of my hose.

**Jock Scot** · 9th February 16, 01:24 AM

Yes, shooting socks do tend to be longer than kilt hose. My shooting socks and kilt hose are dual purpose, but you are right, I do sometimes have to put an extra fold in, if I am wearing shooting socks with the kilt and I am fairly long in the leg. I have often wondered if this is the cause of the unfortunate trend of wearing hose too long with the kilt these days? I think, perhaps so.

**JonathanB** · 9th February 16, 01:31 AM

Thank you.

I'll certainly consider shooting socks in future for kiltwear. I also very much like the garters Cordings were selling in their sale. I'm wearing some in the photo.

Here are some more.

**Jock Scot** · 9th February 16, 01:49 AM

Thinking on a tad Jonathan, I think many shooting socks have patterned tops, whilst most kilt hose do not. OK a generalisation, but a fair one nevertheless, I suggest. Why?

These days, the modern trend in the shooting world is to wear breeks, where the hose tops are worn on the outside and therefore a spot of colour can be shown to advantage and there is a need for extra length here. With plus 4's in particular the hose-tops cannot be seen, for two reasons. One the hose-tops are worn inside the fastening and secondly the tweed hangs over and down over the leg so paying extra for fancy hose-tops that will never see the light of day is silly.

Which is why I rarely ever buy socks/hose with patterned tops.