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.