Matching Kilt Hose

[Tobus]

I have pictures of Victorian gentlemen wearing grey spats in daywear but I’m not sure if they are advisable for a modern Scot.

Civilian spats (different from military spats) have fallen out of fashion, and are viewed today as a bit of an anachronism, bordering on costume. I agree, they would be out of place for a modern Scot. That said, I do own some and they elicit compliments when I wear them.

[Good Egg]

Ah. I didn't even know there were solid color hose tops available. I assumed diced because they are the only type I have seen.

But if solid colored I have to ask, why not just wear longer kilt hose?

1. Hygiene of not wearing hose for more than one day, but keeping the same hose top on.

2. Space. I can carry more socks than hose.

3. Good walking socks are more comfortable than hose if on you're on your feet for long periods.

4. Hose tops are a lot cheaper - you can even make them yourself!

[derosa]

Civilian spats (different from military spats) have fallen out of fashion, and are viewed today as a bit of an anachronism, bordering on costume. I agree, they would be out of place for a modern Scot. That said, I do own some and they elicit compliments when I wear them.

Ducktales just had a joke about the rarity of spats in one of their recent cartoons. Scrooge McDuck was trying to buy them and the shoe store had no idea what he was talking about. He had to buy a pair of boots and cut most of the bottom off except a strap piece and all of the heel and toes. Kind of a random aside but funny to watch.

Personally I think they are both good looking and outdated.

Good Egg- I'm not certain that hygiene is as big an issue depending on how long you go, my regular hiking socks will noticeably smell after a few hours of hiking if I take my boots off. My wool kilt socks won't even after 2 days of use, more then 2 days and they start to get an odor. Its why my good hiking socks are wool which is somewhat antibacterial, don't hike in hose because as you say they are less comfortable, the thickness allows too much movement while still cramping the foot.

[Wareyin]

4. Hose tops are a lot cheaper - you can even make them yourself!

I've tried knitting, and am no good at it! Any idea where one could buy solid hose tops? All I ever find are diced ones for use with spats.

[Tobus]

I'm not certain that hygiene is as big an issue depending on how long you go, my regular hiking socks will noticeably smell after a few hours of hiking if I take my boots off. My wool kilt socks won't even after 2 days of use, more then 2 days and they start to get an odor. Its why my good hiking socks are wool which is somewhat antibacterial, don't hike in hose because as you say they are less comfortable, the thickness allows too much movement while still cramping the foot.

I used to do a lot of hiking (these days I'm mostly relegated to in-town walks with my bulldogge), and I have extremely sweaty feet. No matter what socks I wear when hiking, I have to stop every hour and take all my footwear off to let my feet dry out a bit, then change socks. With that said, I do notice that cotton socks and blended socks will develop an odour much more quickly than wool. I do prefer wool for hiking (Smartwool brand makes some excellent hiking socks!). I've done it in kilt hose, and they are somewhere inbetween regular socks and proper hiking socks, in terms of comfort/thickness and odour control.

If your feet will tolerate it, you might try a thin hiking sock liner under your kilt hose when hiking. It adds some bulk and cushioning while also keeping your kilt hose from being in direct contact with your feet. Personally, sock liners don't work for me because they tend to be slippery and uncomfortable. The ones I've tried come in a "tube sock" shape, which isn't shaped to a human foot, so they end up bunching and wrinkling and causing blisters. But a lot of hikers use them to good effect. And I could certainly see a benefit in wearing them under kilt hose for the issues you've described. It's worth a shot, anyway.

[Good Egg]

I've tried knitting, and am no good at it! Any idea where one could buy solid hose tops? All I ever find are diced ones for use with spats.

Google is your friend. They are out there. I've often found them in surplus shops as well but I tend to make them by lopping the feet of other socks / hose, especially if the feet are worn out. You can make hose tops out of ordinary walking socks and if your inventive you can make a tartan top for them from an off cut. That needs to be acuratly measured to your leg. Looks rubish until you put them on.

[Wareyin]

Google is your friend. They are out there. I've often found them in surplus shops as well but I tend to make them by lopping the feet of other socks / hose, especially if the feet are worn out. You can make hose tops out of ordinary walking socks and if your inventive you can make a tartan top for them from an off cut. That needs to be acuratly measured to your leg. Looks rubish until you put them on.

Sadly, google is not my friend when it comes to hose tops! Google loves to return these: hhred_black_dice_hose_tops-2.jpeg

When what I am actually looking for is discussed here: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...se-tops-77947/

[Tobus]

I've tried knitting, and am no good at it! Any idea where one could buy solid hose tops? All I ever find are diced ones for use with spats.

Separate hose cuffs were kind of a passing fad a few years ago, but they do crop up now and then. I'm not aware of any of the Highland outfitter companies selling them on a regular basis.

Newhouse Highland does offer custom hose tops by themselves or attached to hose. They're not cheap, but then again, these are for custom decorative ones. You might try contacting Matt Newsome and see if there's a price break for a plain cuff. http://newhousehighland.com/hose.html

Steve at Freedom Kilts (the same Steve who owns this forum) has a sock-knitting machine that he uses for custom hose, and I'm sure he could whip out a set of plain-coloured cuffs in no time. You could contact him either here on the forum or through his website to enquire on price: http://www.freedomkilts.com/

Lastly, you could find a local knitter who could knit you a custom pair, either plain or with cabling/decoration. You could ask at your local crafts store to see if they can put you in touch with someone.

[FossilHunter]

Civilian spats (different from military spats) have fallen out of fashion, and are viewed today as a bit of an anachronism, bordering on costume. I agree, they would be out of place for a modern Scot. That said, I do own some and they elicit compliments when I wear them.

I dig the lord or the isles tartan.

[Ivor]

Please forgive a complete newbie who is now totally discombobulated about which socks to wear with a kilt. As someone who just delves into his sock drawer each morning I now see my choices in a completely new light. It seems that choices between white socks or patterned ones, maybe even tartan ones are not down to personal choice but are, instead, subject to rather strict rules which we ignore at our peril. Perhaps as I develop in time on this site I will come to an understanding of just what is and is not acceptable and in the meantime will confine myself to my sock drawer!