what kilt hose to wear?

[Phil]

I am from the old school where you wore self-coloured hose with daywear ( some colour to match your kilt) and tartan hose for formal wear. I realise, however, that not everyone can justify spending a lot of money on socks and why be a snob about it? I actually like off-white hose with the PC outfit, preferably a bit chunky-knit hose. It reminds me of the Fred Astaire look, mussing up the white tie, the white scarf etc.. What I think looks terrible are hose that you can see the underlying ghostly white legs shining through - and that goes for black as well as white. Whatever you get go for the best quality you can afford but just make sure your legs don't shine through them!

[gilmore]

Should we powder our calves?

[Nanook]

it was about why kilt hire shops only stock/rent white hose.

The hire shops provide them since they are cheap. The stuff from formal wear hire shops looks always "like a rented suit".

As far as creme hose are concerned, well to me they always have the look of white socks that have gone off colour. Just my personal observation.

Like here?

[Bugbear]

Should we powder our calves?

Yes, but don't forget your knees.

Actually, I'm looking into diced hose now because, with planning, I might be able to squeeze enough blood out of the turnip.

I only seem to learn by making an idiot of myself.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The hire shops provide them since they are cheap. The stuff from formal wear hire shops looks always "like a rented suit".



Like here?

Yes. The blue suit definitely looks rented, and the washed out beige socks don't cut it, either.

As an aside, gentlemen, kindly note that HRH The Duke of Rothesay is wearing a proper kilt pin, as opposed to the bit of bling stuck to the hem of Mr. Bloggs's kilt.

[svc40bt]

Also interesting to note HRH is wearing hose nearly identical to the STM's Royal Cuff kilt hose Ted was asking about earlier. Obviously this is daywear in the photo but I would think the check topped hose would be usable for evening wear in the right color combination.

[Galb]

When my wife and I were going to a Christmas party this past year, I was a bit torn on this same question. I was wearing a white dress shirt, red tie, black vest, and my Galbraith kilt. I was torn on the socks. Do I go with black, or the cream? I went with the cream. I tend to like to match my hose to my shirt. As my wife said "it frames the kilt perfectly with the white shirt and hose." I also looked online and saw many a man in a prince charlie with white hose. Granted, I was not THAT formal, but it looks good. There is something very nice looking about the cream hose with black shoes, and black vest/jacket combo.

Another thing to think about is if you are wearing ghillies. If you are, the white or cream hose offsets the black laces to give it an even better look.

In the end, it is about preference and what you like. If you like the cream hose with the formal items, then go for it. Some here will tell you to stay away from the cream hose. Others, like me, appreciate the look and the contrast. In the end, no one is going to tell you any differently, so choose based on what looks best to you.

[macwilkin]

Also interesting to note HRH is wearing hose nearly identical to the STM's Royal Cuff kilt hose Ted was asking about earlier. Obviously this is daywear in the photo but I would think the check topped hose would be usable for evening wear in the right color combination.

I'm not so sure...checked-topped hose are traditionally associated with country/shooting attire, as HRH the Duke of Rothesay is wearing in the photo.

Regards,

Todd

[Bugbear]

See that's why I have been causing such a fracas over all this. There are fine details of formal Highland attire, so it seems, that one must learn from those who know these things rather than just reading a black tie manual.

I think I'm going to aim for the diced hose (if and when) I put together a formal outfit. That might be when I sell the "farm."

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I'm not so sure...checked-topped hose are traditionally associated with country/shooting attire, as HRH the Duke of Rothesay is wearing in the photo.

Regards,

Todd

I second Todd. I don't think I'd advocate wearing that style of hose for any level of dress more formal than what HRH is shown wearing in the above photo.