You socks too high...?

[auld argonian]

...to the tune of You Feets Too Big by Fats Waller...

...seriously, is there a rule of thumb (or knee, for that matter) on where the top of your kilt hose should be...something like the rule of thumb about sporran height: "about a palms width down from the belt buckle"?

I only ask because I've found that wearing them too high up toward the knee cap seems to me to give that (forgive me, guys...) "it's a sk*rt" look while nudging them down to more like the top of the calf looks more normal...and it gives me about one more fold-over and thus a thicker sock top.

Best

AA

[Riverkilt]

Thought I saw a post from Barb reccomending the kilt hose come to the top of that little nubby bone just below the kneecap...?

For me, the lower hose top gives the "skirty" look. I like my kilt hose worn high and my kilts worn at the top of the knee.

Ron

[ByDand]

I have always kept my kilt hose about 3 fingers width below the kneecap. This seems to fit right and look good, but of course, it is just my opinion!

[cavscout]

I try to find the spot where the hose are just high enough to not get into the bend of the knee. This is purely a comfort standard I use. I do however feel the highdr the hose the better the look. Kilt at the top of the knee and hose just below the knee cap seems to work for me.

[Moosehead]

Regimental Rule: 3 fingers down.

[longshadows]

Regimental Rule: 3 fingers down.

I think this also makes it about where the tops of the hose, at the back of the leg, come to just below the bend.

Either way, if you look at some photos of the best examples of men in kilts, you'll see that traditionally, hose are worn at this height.

Casual kilts, on the other hand are fair game. As we've all seen, sometimes without socks (we won't call them hose) when in sandals or low, heavy socks when worn with work boots.

When you get outside of "traditional" kilt wear, it's a matter of what looks good on you. Take advantage of that full-length mirror or the opinion of a trusted partner and listen to what either may be telling you.

[Moosehead]

I think this also makes it about where the tops of the hose, at the back of the leg, come to just below the bend.

Yep. Basically that puts it exactly on the knob that Ron mentioned.

[freddie]

A lot of kilt 'advice' is based on tradition and in the olden days Highlanders hose (not the modern socks we wear today) only came half way up their calf. I say it's all a matter of personal taste. I prefer to wear mine just under the kneecap, with the bottom of the kilt just on the top of the kneecap. Some 'traditionalists' say that the bottom of the kilt should cut through the middle of the knee but I think this is too long and looks ridiculous, especially when the socks are worn lower on the calf. Just wear them where you're comfortable with them - but always wear flashes with them !
Yours Aye - Freddie

[TimC]

Thanks Freddie....I think I was getting to caught up in wanting to make sure everything was exactly as it should be and forgot that I started wearing my kilts because I enjoyed it and was proud of what it represents. Not that we shouldn't try and look good in our gear, but we shouldn't let that overshadow the pride we have for wearing our kilts. I think there's room for personal taste and comfort in hose hight!

-T

[Iolaus]

I try to find the spot where the hose are just high enough to not get into the bend of the knee. This is purely a comfort standard I use. I do however feel the highdr the hose the better the look. Kilt at the top of the knee and hose just below the knee cap seems to work for me.

I've found that, if I do pull my socks up (which is rare, even with kilt hose), I have to push them down a lttle, because they ride up over the tops my calves and create a down-slope toward the front, when veiwed from the side.