If you can't afford kilt hose, try solid color soccer socks. Although I prefer the look of actual kilt hose, the soccer socks are far more comfortable and give even me just enough to fold over once at the top. They are much cheaper, to boot.

I tend to use soccer socks for casual wear but pull on the ol' wool kilt hose for formal events. Whether worn with flashes or scrunched to the ankle, they work well. They would even work for a formal event in a pinch, if the event location is dark enough.