Formal Hose--loads of questions

**string** · 13th February 08, 11:53 AM

Correction, I meant to say fashionable instead of traditional. supposedly it showed of "well turned calves better" Although some preachers disliked ladies wearing thin white hose as it was too revealing.

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 13th February 08, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

Actually he says:
"Recently however white or off-white hose have become common. This is mostly due to their popularity with the kilt hire trade (where providing only one colour reduces cost). Cream or white hose can still offend some traditionalists.
But it is possibly time to accept that white is now orthodox."

Sounds more like a suggestion than an out & out endorsement...

I'm not offended by white / off-white, its just not for me personally

That's pretty much splitting hairs on "acceptable". You aren't going to be tossed out of the club, stabbed with sgian dubh, or beheaded with this:
<IMG SRC="http://a367.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/86/l_280a71fa4002919b24fb329629e2fb1e.jpg">

**McMurdo** · 13th February 08, 02:35 PM

This is what you wanted to show, I think you look wonderful here although I do tend to agree with Matt regarding formal hose.

**gilmore** · 13th February 08, 02:48 PM

My own theory/guess on why white hose are considered an abomination by some is that the last time it was accepted by all that they could be worn at formal events was at a time when liveried footmen were the only people wearing them. And no one wanted to be mistaken for a servant.

I agree with Matt on this. If you are going to all the trouble of accumulating formal wear---and it's not just the kilt and doublet. There are also formal sporran, fly plaids, kilt pins, formal skene dhu, dirks, jabot and cuffs, possibly outerwear, bar and buckle brogues, silver buttons, etc to consider---why start scrimping when it comes to hose? One doesn't have to buy everything all at once, not even we Americans, but it is something to keep in mind.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned about white hose is that, lacking color, they stand out, especially when contrasted with the black of brogues and laces, drawing the eye to them and away from the kilt, doublet, and the rest of the ensemble that you spent so much money on.

This effect of using pure white to call attention something surrounded by color was used effectively in movies made in the 1930's-70's, where you often see the leading lady as the only person in white on the screen.

(There is a story about a battle between two divas, Raquel Welch and Mae West in the last movie the latter made, "Myra Breckenridge," over who was going to wear white in the only scene in which the two appear together. Beauty yielded to age, and Mae wore white while Raquel wore cream. But the animosity had grown to such intensity that the two women refused to be on the set at the same time, so the scene had to be shot twice, once for each actress, with some one else reading the other's lines off camera.)

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 13th February 08, 03:01 PM

Yes, that's the picture I wanted to show, although it would have been better with my post.

Cream is acceptable with an Argyll or PC, but you will notice that I have on Navy hose in the picture.

BUT I'M NOT WEARING SHOES!

Reason for this is that I wanted to send the person I picked up the doublet from a picture of me in it. I also made a comment about my claymore collection in another post (see the post on blades). So, no buckle brogues (or even ghillies), even though I have a pair of each.

Anyway, I wasn't going formal.

Also, I ordered some hose from Matt today. What a way to drum up business!

**Blupiper** · 13th February 08, 03:26 PM

McMurdo:

That's a very nice kit, but don't you think that kilt pin is a wee bit too large? Just a thought.

**McMurdo** · 13th February 08, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Blupiper

McMurdo:

That's a very nice kit, but don't you think that kilt pin is a wee bit too large? Just a thought.

Thats not me nor is it my kilt pin, however having said all that, I'm not telling him that there is anything wrong with it.

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 13th February 08, 03:40 PM

Oh, there's a comeback to THAT one!

I do have to admit it looks like a huge kilt pin with the sporran placed the way it is.

**BoldHighlander** · 13th February 08, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Dukeof Kircaldy

That's pretty much splitting hairs on "acceptable". You aren't going to be tossed out of the club, stabbed with sgian dubh, or beheaded with this:

Depends upon the club your in

**Alan H** · 13th February 08, 05:03 PM

I'm not sure that my message got across.

I LIKE white hose with a kilt, my Eton/Spencer jacket, a white formal shirt and a black tie. I think it looks good and no amount of telling me that it's "incorrect" is going to change that. I COULD spend $45 and get very nice dark blue hose to go with my X-Marks tartan kilt. Matt sells Hawick hose that would look just smashing. I could (and probably will) wear Strings hand-knit hose with formal gear in the future, as well. those, I believe will pass muster (though just barely) in some circles.

But you know what? I think they're ruddy GORGEOUS socks, off-white or not.

I like white hose. I CHOOSE to wear white hose even though I can afford to get solid blue hose that would match the X-Marks kilt, which is the only kilt I wear formally, anyway. I don't CARE that some people go on and on about kilt rental companies. I notice many of those same people telling others to rent a kilt and formal kit for a special occasion rather than buying one if they're only going to wear the formal kit now and then. I assume they'd be renting white hose, eh?

I notice that almost every single guy at our recent X-Marks Burns Night wore white or off-white hose with their formal outfits and we all looked pretty darned good and had a great time. Go look at the picture thread if you don't believe me. If I recall properly only one guy had black hose on, that had on a jacket and tie, the rest of us wore white or off-white. I'm sure those who think that white hose are just horrid would in fact have had a lovely time at our Burns Night despite the dozen-plus pairs of awfully glaring hose in attendance.

I don't have a problem with someone who wants to wear argyle hose, or diced hose. They look great, good for you, that's great! Wear them with pride and joy and have a great time at your event. I don't have a problem with someone who wants to wear black or solid color hose with their formal kit, either. Others are welcome to choose to NOT wear white hose with THEIR formal kit. If it' s not for you, then that's just fine. I hope others don't have a problem with Me, personally, for CHOOSING......because I LIKE white hose... for wearing white socks.

Because guys....get real. We're talking about SOCKS, here.

socks. socks

Not, like....life or death, yanno? I can't stomach dropping $200 on a pair of SOCKS, no matter HOW long they are going to last me or how beautiful they are. I don't care...they're socks, guys....socks. Socks to wear once a year.

socks

Two hundred dollars for a pair of socks? Sorry, I just can't wrap my head around it. If you can, then that's great for you, and McMurdo's Isle of Skye socks look ruddy gorgeous, they do! Good for McMurdo! Wear them with pride and joy! But me?............ I'll stick with those really sharp-looking cream or brilliant white hose that I like just fine.