White Hose

[Tobus]

"Off-white" or cream is another matter. This colour, called "ecru" in french or "ban" in irish gaelige, is the natural colour of undyed/unbleached wool. Before the days of mass production, this would have meant a significant cost saving, important and therefore popular for the poorer class, who are rarely seen in paintings of the time.

But where is the evidence that the "poorer class" actually wore un-dyed wool hose? I would be interested in hearing one of our historians tell us of the earliest evidence of cream hose.

From what I can tell, dyeing was something that even the poorest of the poor could do. They didn't all run around in cream colored coats, trousers, or anything else made of wool. They dyed them. Why would hose be any different?

[Dall_Piobaire]

But where is the evidence that the "poorer class" actually wore un-dyed wool hose? I would be interested in hearing one of our historians tell us of the earliest evidence of cream hose.

From what I can tell, dyeing was something that even the poorest of the poor could do. They didn't all run around in cream colored coats, trousers, or anything else made of wool. They dyed them. Why would hose be any different?

My opinion ecru is fine, gives one a bit more latitude with shirt color and, I think, it plays off reds particularly well.

I would hazzard a guess, that the crofters, many living with thier livestock, in thier sod hut, would wear just about anything on thier feet they could manage.

I know there are references to highlanders being called reshanks as many wore nothing on thier feet.

They could not afford to eat the stock they raised, they needed to bring every bit of it to market, so, I would bet the same applied to wool from the shearing.

It seems we so often mess about in the world of the noble and wealthy, it seems to be very often forgotten that the heart and soul of the highlands was a dirt poor crofter trying to feed the family.....even shoes might have been a luxury.

Worse even still, many ended up in the regiments believing the promises of thier family being protected and cared for, only to come out of service and find themselves hoeless....and I fuss about white hose....

[Nighthawk]

My opinion ecru is fine, gives on a bit more latitude with shirt color and, I think it plays off reds particularly well.

I would hazard a guess, that the crofters, many living with thier livestock, in thier sod hut, would wear just about anything on thier feet they could manage.

I know there are references to highlanders being called reshanks as many wore nothing on thier feet.

They could not afford to eat the stock they raised, they needed to bring every bit of it to market, so, I would bet the same applied to wool from the shearing.

It seems we so often mess about in the world of the noble and wealthy, it seems to be very often forgotten that the heart and sole of the highland was a dirt poor crofter trying to feed the family.....even shoes might have been a luxury.

You're dead on. I often go barefoot at festivals for this very reason. I have a better tan on my feet than anywhere else...

[MacMillans son]

...only to come out of service and find themselves hoeless......[/QUOTE]

And many never even received a "Dear John" letter!

[Dall_Piobaire]

...only to come out of service and find themselves hoeless......

And many never even received a "Dear John" letter! [/QUOTE]

lolol not fair no poking fun at the blind guy....i do my best....but that too

[Bugbear]

And many never even received a "Dear John" letter!

lolol not fair no poking fun at the blind guy....i do my best....but that too[/QUOTE]

Blame it all on the picture captions and subtitles...

[MacRobert's Reply]

Native breeds of sheep such as the Shetland were much more common in Scotland in past centuries. Very few were off-white. The Wikipedia article on this breed states that eleven main colours are recognised (most including many different shades): light grey, grey, white, emsket (dusky bluish-grey), musket (light greyish-brown), shaela (dark steely-grey), black, fawn, moorit (reddish brown), mioget (honey-toned, yellowish-brown), dark brown. This sounds like a good range of colours even before dyeing. When I was on Shetland a few years ago, I saw knitting and weaving that used these natural colours in creative combinations.