Taking the Plunge: Diced Hose

**Luke MacGillie** · 1st August 16, 06:38 AM

Im what you would say, and ultra traditionalist. It may run counter to any number of modern ways, but Red/White Diced hose are the traditional hose, more so than tartan, or other colors of dicing.

**CypherMagnum** · 1st August 16, 08:17 AM

Thanks all for your fantastic replies. I've settled on the Claret & Navy, as I think it will give the right "pop" without looking too matchy.

**figheadair** · 1st August 16, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Luke MacGillie

Im what you would say, and ultra traditionalist. It may run counter to any number of modern ways, but Red/White Diced hose are the traditional hose, more so than tartan, or other colors of dicing.

Luke, an interesting comment but not one borne out by the evidence. Of the 40 odd examples in 18th century portraits and prints I examined, Red and White dice appear in 27 but crucially none before c1745.

The majority of the R&W dice examples are, unsurprisingly, in connection with the military or worn by those individuals who'd had military service or connections. Most of the examples are c1760-1785. The earliest example of the civilian use of R&W dice I found was the portrait of Alasdair Ruadh MacDonell, 13th of Glengarry, c1745, and a little later, the MacDonald Boys c1750. Early 18th century portraits show the sitters wearing tartan hose; John Campbell, 3rd of Glenorchy, the Grant portraits and that of Kenneth 3rd, Lord Duffus. Moray of Abercairney (c1735) is the first I found to show dice but they are coloured, as are those, with one o=possible exception, shown in Morier's Culloden portrait. Lord George Murray (c1745) is shown wearing tartan hose.

There is no pre-1750 depiction of the Independent Companies/43rd/42nd Regt that shows the hose but it's generally assumed that they wore R&W dice. We have no idea if or how widely R&W was used in civilian dress before the mid-18th century and it's therefore possible that this style was introduced for the military.

**Luke MacGillie** · 2nd August 16, 05:38 AM

Thanks,

It must be that being a military man both in real and my reenactment life, it has coloured my point of view.

**Jock Scot** · 7th August 16, 05:12 AM

A word of caution, if I may, from a traditional viewpoint. With dress(formal) attire, particularly black tie events then, not all events are equal. In other words, some are more formal than others. Wearing diced or argyll hose can cause one to be overdressed for most black tie events. Traditionally, this type of hose is really reserved for the rare and ultra formal "white tie" events.

Just saying.

**Pegasys** · 7th August 16, 05:46 AM

Its always good to hear the opinions of those who 'have been living the life since day one' so to speak on such matters . much appreciated

so now I do have a side question for you Jock , being of 'short and stout' stature I have had a problem when tying laces in what I know to be the 'traditional' way ... 3 twists , then brought around the rear to form an X and then tying off in the front or the side . The problem is my calf's are basically in the shape of an inverted cone

and after only 10 minutes or so of walking the laces slide down and come loose . Have you ever experienced this ? Any ideas on how to solve this problem ?

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

A word of caution, if I may, from a traditional viewpoint. With dress(formal) attire, particularly black tie events then, not all events are equal. In other words, some are more formal than others. Wearing diced or argyll hose can cause one to be overdressed for most black tie events. Traditionally, this type of hose is really reserved for the rare and ultra formal "white tie" events.

Just saying.

**figheadair** · 7th August 16, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Pegasys

Its always good to hear the opinions of those who 'have been living the life since day one' so to speak on such matters . much appreciated

so now I do have a side question for you Jock , being of 'short and stout' stature I have had a problem when tying laces in what I know to be the 'traditional' way ... 3 twists , then brought around the rear to form an X and then tying off in the front or the side . The problem is my calf's are basically in the shape of an inverted cone

and after only 10 minutes or so of walking the laces slide down and come loose . Have you ever experienced this ? Any ideas on how to solve this problem ?

Ah, Ghillies Brogues. Never wear them, never have and never will. Problem solved.

**GrainReaper** · 7th August 16, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Pegasys

Its always good to hear the opinions of those who 'have been living the life since day one' so to speak on such matters . much appreciated

so now I do have a side question for you Jock , being of 'short and stout' stature I have had a problem when tying laces in what I know to be the 'traditional' way ... 3 twists , then brought around the rear to form an X and then tying off in the front or the side . The problem is my calf's are basically in the shape of an inverted cone

and after only 10 minutes or so of walking the laces slide down and come loose . Have you ever experienced this ? Any ideas on how to solve this problem ?

I take care of this issue by wearing a nice pair of oxfords, or similar dress shoe, I personally have an affinity for monk strap shoes.

In my humble opinion ghillie brogues, and those pirate like shirts with the poofy sleeves and laced up front are the domain of romance novel covers and "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" commercials....

Most kilt apparel can be pulled from any mans closet, dress shoes, shirts, ties, vests, all that's missing from most closets is a kilt-cut jacket, and wool hose.