"Viking Style" Brouge lacing?

[Jock Scot]

I would call it a really dark tan or a medium brown. It's a wonderful earth tone colour that seems to go with anything.

https://horseandhoof.com/house-of-ch...n-113804-p.asp

Through my non artistic and somewhat aged eyes, green is green, red is red , blue is blue, black is black, white is white and so on. I can even differentiate between assorted shades of colour, but i cannot for the life of me get the hang of these more artistic terminologies such as "bison", " teal" and so on.

[Tobus]

Through my non artistic and somewhat aged eyes, green is green, red is red , blue is blue, black is black, white is white and so on. I can even differentiate between assorted shades of colour, but i cannot for the life of me get the hang of these more artistic terminologies such as "bison", " teal" and so on.

To be fair, I have never used the term bison as a colour outside the context of kilt hose. That is the House of Cheviot name for this particular colour. Just like I've never used fawn as a colour, but that's what Mackie uses and we all know what it is.

[Father Bill]

To be fair, I have never used the term bison as a colour outside the context of kilt hose. That is the House of Cheviot name for this particular colour. Just like I've never used fawn as a colour, but that's what Mackie uses and we all know what it is.

"Light brown." How's that?

[TheVintageLibertine]

As a new member, I'm somewhat hesitant to wade into this discussion, but here it goes...

I am a history buff, generally snazzy dresser, and recovering clotheshorse. Because of that combination of interests, I am very familiar with both conventional and historical sartorial "rules" (aside: "etiquette" or "conventions" are probably more apt terms).

From that experience, I would say the "animosity" (aside: "annoyance" or "frustration" are probably more apt terms) with the kilt-hire industry is twofold. First, out of practical and economic necessity it leans to the generic. For example, it usually provides customers with ghillie brogues and white hose for all occasions, because stocking buckle brogues as well, and a plethora of colored and pattern hose is too impractical. And, this has led to a homogenization of both highland and Saxon formal wear, which is sad if you care about such things. Second, customers usually rely on kilt- and tuxedo-hire firms to tell them what is and isn't correct. But, too many of these firms blithely tell customers that whatever they happen to have available is correct for the customers' needs in the interest of making a sale. Which, or course, it pretty crappy. And, this has led to "dumbing-down" of both highland and Saxon formal wear, which is also sad if you care about such things.

Finally, the best advice I ever read regarding sartorial rules/etiquette/conventions: one should learn them before choosing to ignore them so that ones style is transcendent, not transgressive.

[Jock Scot]

I am sorry Tobus, I was only speaking generally and perhaps I should not have included your post in my post. Please accept my apologies.

I must admit that I don't look at the colour labels on kilt hose, I just go for the colour that catches my eye and experience. I am afraid that colour details interests me little.

[Ivor]

I am not sure that “fawn” socks excites me and if these are the alternatives to white or off-white I think I know which I would prefer. Do people really choose “fawn” socks? I have seen other colours but I am a little non-plussed as to why socks should be conflated with people wearing jeans back to front? I know that people wear jeans in the manner of criminals without a belt to display their vertical smiles and others slash holes in theirs. It is even the fashion nowadays to turn up the legs much like the early days of wearing jeans. None of this, however, seems relevant to the type of socks to wear.

[Tobus]

I am not sure that “fawn” socks excites me and if these are the alternatives to white or off-white I think I know which I would prefer. Do people really choose “fawn” socks?

The fawn reference was to the colour option on Mackie bonnets. It's a light tan colour. My point to Jock was that we use a lot of silly names for colours here based on manufacturer colour names.

[Jock Scot]

Ivor.

With the greatest of respect, if you want wear white hose then carry on, there will be no witch hunt or bolt of lightning to strike you down. If you get taken to task by wearing white hose just say “Jock Scot from near Fort William said I could!”

Speaking truthfully, I find white hose jar my eye. Some Other colours do not catch my eye either, such as black, but none of them, including white , is a hanging offence if one chooses to wear that colour.

On the other hand various shades of reds and greens do catch my eye regularly. Added to those, yellow and blue are also worn by me occasionally if the mood and,or, the occasion dictates.

I think that many reading this will pretty much agree with this, but, the colours of one’s tartan may, in fact will, influence an individuals choice. But for many and various reasons, including the hire company aspect, does influence choice.

Let’s be honest here, if one has paid a fair amount of loot in having a bespoke kilt and bespoke jacket( take your choice of any jacket) would you want to look like a beginner wearing attire from a hire shop? I will let you answer that!

For me , no I don’t. At a guess. If others are being honest nor do they, and that is the solid influence of why white hose are not popular and to be fair, there are really far better choices than white to be had.

[Ivor]

I couldn’t agree more, Jock, and no doubt there are many shades available - but fawn? That has all the connotations of over-washed underwear that used to be white. So white socks are out but what does one wear with a PC outfit that is affordable? Black?

[Jock Scot]

I think your interpretation of “fawn” just demonstrates the problem , you see “fawn” as you see it, others see “ fawn” in a completely different light. White leaves very little doubt to what the colour is.

Actually, black to my eyes shows almost as little imagination as choosing white. For me a general purpose colour would be shades of green, or shades of red, depending on the event. Your kilt hose don’t have to be expensive, yes the initial purchase might cost a Pound or two more than white hose but with diligent searching good value can be found particularly if the hose are washed carefully and diligently.

Many of my pairs of hose have been worn several times a week( different hose every day!) out in the shooting field and then worn with the kilt as well————-after washing , I might add! At a guess most of my hose probably, with a bit of luck, last about two or three years. Looked at it that way with the expense spread over that period of time I honestly don’t consider my hose expensive.