Argyle kilt hose - success!

[James MacMillan]

Actually, since I returned the socks that didn't work, and recieved a full refund, I ended up with two pair of servicable hose for less than $40.

I still cannot bring myself to the point where I will spend close to the price of a casual kilt for a pair of socks.

[Jack Daw]

Actually, since I returned the socks that didn't work, and recieved a full refund, I ended up with two pair of servicable hose for less than $40.

I still cannot bring myself to the point where I will spend close to the price of a casual kilt for a pair of socks.

Yes, sometimes, it's about the hunt and not just the kill.

[gilmore]

though he may have saved the rabble a bundle by posting the link!!

Hear, hear! And many thanks to him for researching the market and sharing what he found.

[DWFII]

I really shouldn't get into this not only because I respect James and thank him for his contributions but also because it seems very difficult to express a contrary opinion here without someone being offended.

But truth to tell, I don't think any of the hose I saw on the golf site would be a reasonable substitute for tartan hose. They're argyll knee highs, sure enough, but they aren't tartan hose.

I don't have $200-$300.00 for tartan hose either. So my wife made me a pair that are beautiful...far better than I had hoped for. It can be done. In fact, most of my accessories are hand/home made--two credible sporrans, two eminently credible sgian dubhs, bonnet, belts and, if I do say so myself, more than credible shoes.

But that said I've seen custom made tartan hose selling for less than $150.00 right here in the USA...custom-made to your size and tartan.

Sometimes...maybe not in this instance...you got to suck it up if you want to be credible. Otherwise you end up as an example of a "Don't." I bet that 75% of the Don'ts are because the person was "penny-wise and pound foolish." Which I think is one of Matt's points.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I really shouldn't get into this not only because I respect James and thank him for his contributions but also because it seems very difficult to express a contrary opinion here without someone being offended.

But truth to tell, I don't think any of the hose I saw on the golf site would be a reasonable substitute for tartan hose. They're argyll knee highs, sure enough, but they aren't tartan hose.

DW brings up a good point. Argyle kilt hose and Argyle pattern golf socks may have certain resemblances, but the truth is they are very different items. That's why one costs about 1/10 of the other.

Now, it is my opinion that someone wearing golf socks with their kilt to a formal function will look a bit silly and at best like a Highland dress neophyte who doesn't know the difference.

I think it would be far, far better for that person to simply wear a pair of good quality solid kilt hose, that you can find for about the same price as those golf socks.

I say this not to be mean or critical, but because I really want people to look good and feel good in their Highland dress, and to avoid being a "kilt don't." When people come into the museum I am able to offer them advice and steer them in the right direction no problem. But sometimes on line the same advice comes across as being "snobby" or overly critical. That is really not the intent -- I just want people to look well dressed in their kilt!

[scotchmaster]

I really shouldn't get into this not only because I respect James and thank him for his contributions but also because it seems very difficult to express a contrary opinion here without someone being offended.

But truth to tell, I don't think any of the hose I saw on the golf site would be a reasonable substitute for tartan hose. They're argyll knee highs, sure enough, but they aren't tartan hose.

I don't have $200-$300.00 for tartan hose either. So my wife made me a pair that are beautiful...far better than I had hoped for. It can be done. In fact, most of my accessories are hand/home made--two credible sporrans, two eminently credible sgian dubhs, bonnet, belts and, if I do say so myself, more than credible shoes.

But that said I've seen custom made tartan hose selling for less than $150.00 right here in the USA...custom-made to your size and tartan.

Sometimes...maybe not in this instance...you got to suck it up if you want to be credible. Otherwise you end up as an example of a "Don't." I bet that 75% of the Don'ts are because the person was "penny-wise and pound foolish." Which I think is one of Matt's points.

How about $127 plus $* shipping at Skye Highland Outfitters. The are running a sale. Sale ends Monday the 26th at 5 PM sharp. info@skyehighlandoutfitters.com.

[scotchmaster]

How about $127 plus $8 shipping at Skye Highland Outfitters. The are running a sale. Sale ends Monday the 26th at 5 PM sharp. info@skyehighlandoutfitters.com.


Cheers!

[Bugbear]

Ya, I just forgot what that was all about with the spats etc.

They would probably ride up and show the socks.

It's not like I attend a black tie dinner each evening either.

[RockyR]

Re: the quality vs. quantity or Quality vs. Price debate... as Riverkilt is fond of saying "Different horses for different courses".

There will ALWAYS be a debate over what something is 'worth'. Are $150 argyll hose 'worth' it? Are $60 argyll hose 'worth it' for the quality? Only the buyer can decide and no one can decide for them. Some people have a budget and stick firmly to it and there's nothing wrong with that (kudos for not 'overspending' on something when you have other $$ responsibilities).

Matt raises a good point about having lots of different price points and levels of quality (and therefore price) for different product lines. He chooses not to cater toward the VERY low priced items (i.e. 'ebay kilts') and that's where his product line stops. That's his prerogitive as an owner. He does this (as stated in the post above) b/c he wants people to look 'correct' and not a 'Kilt Don't' and that's a perfectly reasonable way to run a business (wanting your customers to look good in your product). Bottom line: He's effectively putting his name / company name on every product he sells and wants them to reflect well on him as a business owner. Please note that there are some kilt companies that have 'low end' sporrans of $100 + and 'low end' kilt prices of $500 or more.

ALL THAT BEING SAID, it's up to the individual to make up their own mind. What I usually tell people is this:

Spend as MUCH money on something as YOU ARE COMFORTABLE spending. Get the best quality you can afford, without putting yourself into hock.

I PERSONALLY don't often look back on a purchase and think 'I should have bought the cheaper one', but regretably when 'saving a few dollars', I DO often think "I should have just spent the extra money and gotten the nicer one". You have to know yourself and where your balance of quality vs. price lies. Sometimes that takes a little explanation of why certain things cost a bit more so people understand why things cost what they do.


ANOTHER IDEA:

Use this forum to your advantage! There are HUNDREDS of members up here with unique talents / different backgrounds / cool jobs. If you're a stained glass artist, see if someone needs a window and is willing to trade for it! If you knit and can knit a pair of diced hose, offer that in exchange for a casual kilt! Heck... Graham (an "ORIGINAL" Xmarks member who is a signmaker in Tazmania) sent us our company sign in trade for a kilt a few years back (and we still have the sign!).

I'm alway amazed at what people up here do for a living and for hobbies. Don't assume that since you can't 'afford' something that's expensive (i.e. $150 hand knit hose) that you can't 'acquire it' through creative means.

My $.02... or in this case it may have been $.08. I was a little long winded.

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . But truth to tell, I don't think any of the hose I saw on the golf site would be a reasonable substitute for tartan hose. They're argyll knee highs, sure enough, but they aren't tartan hose. . . .

I agree, and here is one of the reasons:

The golfknickersusa.com site states that the fiber content of these socks is 85% Duraspan and 15% Nylon. We all know nylon, right? Googling duraspan reveals that in July, 1991, Monsanto Co. changed the name of its Acrilan II high-bulk acrylic fiber to Duraspun brand fiber, so these socks are 85% acryllic and 15% nylon.

Going to Matt's site we find that his hose are "Made in Hawick, Scotland, from an easy-to-care-for blend of Merino wool and acrylic". I have had a taste of Merino and I like it. I also like what I've seen of Hawick products.

My choice is to do without until I can afford the good stuff, but of course that's just my choice.

.