Casual utility kilt wear - socks high or scrunched?

[CMcG]

I approach the question from a bit of a different angle. To me, it depends on how the utility kilt fits.

I suggest that showing some leg makes any kilt look better by emphasizing the lack of bifurcation. A traditional tartan kilt hem, for example, ideally hits mid to top of the knee, which allows traditional kilt hose to be worn up and still show some skin.

Many utility kilts, however, seem to be worn with a longer hem at mid to bottom of the knee. With the knee covered and socks pulled up (don't have to be trad hose here!), it looks a bit too "modest," if that makes any sense. If one can't show some knee, then scrunch or roll the socks to show some shin... Or just wear shorter socks

[sbroomheadsr]

I wear my socks up or down based on if they make me look like an 80 year-old escapee from a retirement community or the virile young 60 year-old that I really am.

Wear them how you feel comfortable and you will always look your best.

[Alan H]

What that guy right above me in the thread wrote.

[jthk]

My utility kilts are never worn in anything other than casual situations so if the weather is warm enough, I'll wear minimalist sandals from Bedrock in Seattle. If the weather is cool enough, I'll wear Dr Martens 14-eye boots or similar combat-style boots.

Best,
Jonathan

[OC Richard]

I'm a kiltwearing oldtimer/traditionalist who had been kilted for decades before Utilikilts were invented.

I well remember their novelty the first time we saw them, at a Utilikilt booth at one of our Games.

It seemed to me that from the start Utilikilts were a new Fashion Culture distinct from Highland Dress. This Fashion Culture usually included high Doc Marten boots, scrunched-down socks, and black t-shirts. Often seen also was long hair, piercings, and tattoos.

The whole "look" struck me as looking all of a piece, everything fitting the style.



This being the case, what has always looked odd to me is the mixing of Utilikilts with elements of Highland dress: kilt hose, sporrans, ghillies, Scottish bonnets, and so forth.

Highland Dress, likewise, is a unique Fashion Culture. I don't see any overlap or connexion between the two styles whatsoever.



Of course anyone can dress any way they please and I couldn't care less. With my background I do notice things though.

[Taskr]

I don't have a U-kilt, but I have let my sock tops drop down toward the hiking boots while wearing the PV Grey Granite. For where I was and doing at the time, it didn't seem odd or out of place at all.
For what its worth (again, not owning a U-kilt), a dress-style sock/hose under the U-Kilt looks a bit odd to me. As Richard mentioned, there is something about everything fitting the style that provides visual appeal. The U-kilt seems to deserve a pair of heavy work socks rather than kilt-hose to pull the style together. Not that some styles of kilt hose aren't 'robust and workman' looking.

[GrainReaper]

I wore a utilikilt for a while a few years back, I was rather fond of my jump boots and scrunched white socks.

I feel it's the best look in my opinion

[ItchyTick]

Generally I wear combat boots with my modern kilts, boot length socks.

[Jack Daw]

I've worn solid-patterned hose scrunched down while wearing boots, my tartan kilt, and a casual, modern shirt.