Formal kilt hose -- opinions sought

[revdpatience]

Gents (and ladies):

I'm pondering what sort of formal kilt hose I might purchase and seek your advice/experience. The main point of my asking is that I plan to have (at least) two eight-yard kilts in family tartans (I own one now), and I wonder if there's a good option that would serve with both.

The tartans are Mackenzie Ancient and MacColl Ancient.

ctst-mkz-a-mackenzie-ancient-strome-tartan-front-72dpi-rgb.jpg ctst-mco-a-maccoll-ancient-strome-tartan-front-72dpi-rgb.jpg

I've looked at diced, argyle, and tartan hose, and I wonder if using the soft green and blue that is in both tartans might work.

I also wonder if simply wearing black and red diced hose is a good, traditional option.

Since I have several black tie or white tie events to attend each year, I will invest in good quality hose, but I'd appreciate some insights from the Great Rabble that might suggest a direction (and perhaps a source for custom hose).

Many thanks!

[StevieR]

House of Cheviot ancient blue/ancient green diced hose would suit both tartans handsomely, in my opinion.

[Tobus]

With several black tie and white tie events to attend each year, it certainly warrants owning more than one pair. That way they don't always see you in the same hose at every event.

I don't think you could go wrong with any dicing option here. Green/blue, green/red, blue/red would all match your two tartans. But even a dicing option with black or white would be fine too.

If it were me, I'd invest in a standard pair of red/white diced hose, which goes with everything and is the most traditional of all dicing options. I'd maybe spring for a red/black pair too. Since those are standard colour combinations, they may be cheaper for both pair than a single pair of custom ones (I could be wrong, as I haven't bought custom hose in many years).

[David Dubh]

I have both custom made diced and Argyll hose that I had made through John at Keltoi when I ordered my kilt from him. I really prefer the Argyll hose because they have a longer turnover. I prefer to show very little of the garter ties when I turn over, the diced have a very short turn over so a lot more of the garter ties or flashes show.
I also have house of Cheviot chessboard tops that I really like and wear quite a bit, but I really don’t have much reason to go to black tie events.
Slainte David

[revdpatience]

There you go, feeding my KHAD!

That’s Kilt (Hose) Acquisition Disorder ...

With several black tie and white tie events to attend each year, it certainly warrants owning more than one pair. That way they don't always see you in the same hose at every event.

[ASinclair]

You may want to check https://www.jhiggins.net/. I got my red/green diced hose from them.

[McMurdo]

My first pair of diced hose were white and red, while these are traditional I prefer my second pair which are black and red. Since then I've got some Argyll hose to match my Scottish Wildcat Tartan kilt. The companies I used are no longer in business.

[revdpatience]

Allen:

I have had good service from J. Higgins — my Black Argyll jacket and waistcoat, as well as my hunting sporran, come from them.

How long are the diced hose you purchased? I am 6’6” tall, so I’m afraid some hose I’ve tried have simply been too short. Did you get their standard or their custom diced hose?

Rodger

You may want to check https://www.jhiggins.net/. I got my red/green diced hose from them.

[imbrius]

I have had good service from J. Higgins — my Black Argyll jacket and waistcoat, as well as my hunting sporran, come from them.

I'll second J. Higgins. Their customer service is great, the products are very good, and the prices are very reasonable.

[ASinclair]

Allen:

I have had good service from J. Higgins — my Black Argyll jacket and waistcoat, as well as my hunting sporran, come from them.

How long are the diced hose you purchased? I am 6’6” tall, so I’m afraid some hose I’ve tried have simply been too short. Did you get their standard or their custom diced hose?

Rodger

Mine are machine knit, size L. My shoe size is near the lower end of the size L range, so with my heel in the heel of the hose, there's about an inch of hose in front of my toes. I have large calves, so the hose are stretched tight around and this keeps them from coming up as high as I would like. You are 8" taller than me, so caveat emptor.