Tartan Hose

**TheOfficialBren** · 27th May 14, 05:00 PM

Wow! Now THOSE are hose!!

IM curious about something. How are these tartan hose? In California we would call these Argyle hose.

I do not see the Clanranald sett. I see an Argyle pattern with the Clanranald modern colours. What am I missing?

**Nathan** · 27th May 14, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

Wow! Now THOSE are hose!!

IM curious about something. How are these tartan hose? In California we would call these Argyle hose.

I do not see the Clanranald sett. I see an Argyle pattern with the Clanranald modern colours. What am I missing?

You're quite right that the sett isn't perfectly reproduced. Clanranald would be a very difficult set to reproduce. It just comes down to a question of jargon. The split diamond pattern referred to as Argyll on socks and sweaters is most often referred to as tartan on kilt hose. There are too many things called Argyll already in the kilt world. We need only look to the history of how the hose evolved for a clue as to why they became known as full tartan hose.

Originally, the hose were actually made out of the wool tartan cloth. The cloth hose were fashioned with the cloth cut on the bias because it has more natural elasticity this way. Eventually, when people began knitting kilt hose, it became less important or even practical to replicate the sett exactly, especially for complex tartans. Some, especially in North America, say Argyll hose but most guides and websites from Scotland say that "diced or tartan hose are best for formal evening events". The tartan hose depicted are what you call Argyll hose.
Some examples:

http://www.scotweb.co.uk/mens-wear/s...-hose-and-tops

http://www.mackenziefrain.com/index....duct_id=496839

http://www.houseoflabhran.com/tartan-diced-kilt-hose/

North American vendors like John from Keltoi are sympathetic to the vocabulary of their customers so often say "Tartan or Argyll/Argyle hose".

http://www.gaelicclothing.com/argyletartanhose.htm

Clear as mud?

**TheOfficialBren** · 27th May 14, 08:17 PM

Absolutely as clear as mud, mate. Thank you. I've learned something new!

Your new hose are fabulous.

**ASinclair** · 27th May 14, 09:38 PM

Great looking hose, Nathan. Congratulations!

**Nathan** · 28th May 14, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by ASinclair

Great looking hose, Nathan. Congratulations!

Thank you, sir! I think they did a great job with them. To be honest, I haven't seen anyone else's approach to tartan hose with clanranald modern. It would be interesting to see the direction others went in attempting to compliment this tartan on hose.