When are colored hose appropriate?

[RedBeard]

Just tell him "Pog mo th`oin"

[PiobBear]

I think white socks look just fine...if you're a Catholic schoolgirl, or perhaps wearing an arisaid with a lot of white in it.

[Arlen]

As has been variously stated here, 'Balderdash, bunkham, nonsense and piffle.'
This is just another myth perpetrated by the kilt police, kilt hire stores, eejits etc.
There are very, very few hard and fast rules about kilting. And those tend to be things like 'A mini-skirt is not a Kilt' and 'Don't wear a prince Charlie coatee with a hawaii shirt.'
Basically, common sense.
Some people just believe everything they hear and never look further into it before passing on their 'Knowledge.'

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Just because someone is from Scotland does not mean they are automatic experts on Highland Dress. I recall a recent incident where a lady from Scotland, whose son (living in the US) was talking with me about getting a kilt outfit for his wedding, went nearly ballistic because I suggested to him that he did not have to wear ghillie brogues with his kilt if he didn't like them. The lady promptly informed me that any other style of shoe with the kilt was simply not appropriate and that her son was going to get married in the kilt in the right way! So there!

But about the question of when colored hose are appropriate -- they always are. Regardless of what you think about white or off-white hose, and when to wear them (if ever), colored hose will still be appropriate at any event. I've never read or spoken to anyone who had a serious knowledge of Highland Dress that said otherwise, so I think what you are dealing with here is one man's opinion and nothing more.

(In fact, in the most recent issue of the Scottish Tartans Authority newsletter, they suggested a campaign to promote colored hose!)

M

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Yeah, they're coloured...They are off-white.

Come on. Every type of hose is coloured, unless you aren't wearing hose.

[Bugbear]

I'm not sure I should wear solid black hose, though; my skin is too pale white... I think the charcoal would be better. Guess the same would go for any colors that you don't look good in, and of course, colors that clash with your kilt colors.

[jmercier]

all I can say is... how rediculous would this kilt and sporran look with off-white hose?



I think it'd look atrocious, and detract from the soft and sutble tones of the IoS tartan.

On this same subject, PC jackets (and jackets in general) didnt used to all be just black too, one of the nicest old PCs Iv'e seen was a nice sky blue. But rental places only carry black and it's become the 'de facto' standard,

[Ryan Ross]

Yeah, they're coloured...They are off-white.

Come on. Every type of hose is coloured, unless you aren't wearing hose.

Well, if you want to get technical, colours like white, black, and grey are not really properly called "colours". As I understand it, they should be known as "shades".

[Jack Daw]

As a piper, I have a couple of pair of white hose that I wear for competition, even as a soloist. They are not required of competitive pipers, but over the years I have perceived a prejudice by some judges (not all) against soloists versus individual pipe band members. So, the white hose are a part of my disguise. I don't care for white hose for (semi-)formal wear because it makes me feel like I'm wearing white socks with a dark suit. I don't like off-white hose because it makes me think they need a good washing. So, I pay the money and wear colored, diced, or argyll hose. BTW, I attribute winning one bonniest knees contest to having worn a pair of black-and-red hose.

[Donnie]

Just tell him "Pog mo th`oin"

I totally agree!