Matching Kilt Hose

[PatrickHughes123]

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!

Ivor,

There are no strict rigid rules to the kilt, there are, however, conventions. Diced/tartan/argyll hose are extremely formal. Plain hose are less formal and more relaxed. The weird thing is, you might see, is that plain white hose are often controversial and seen as typical wedding hose. Most people here that I've seen tend to wear plain hose in a colour other than white. I do however, wear white hose, don't care much for the controversy.

[Ivor]

Thank you for that Patrick. I know there are conventions like wearing bow ties with dinner suits but I didn’t realise that they extended to socks! I read in another thread that tartan socks can cost hundreds and if I was spending that kind of money I would be wearing them as much as possible not just keeping them for best. I remember Kenneth McKellar on the telly and he was always dressed in a Montrose doublet I think it is called with a frilly jabot and tartan socks. So was this something special or was it just the expected kilt outfit of the time? I just think it looks so much how I would expect a highland dress to look.

[PatrickHughes123]

Thank you for that Patrick. I know there are conventions like wearing bow ties with dinner suits but I didn’t realise that they extended to socks! I read in another thread that tartan socks can cost hundreds and if I was spending that kind of money I would be wearing them as much as possible not just keeping them for best. I remember Kenneth McKellar on the telly and he was always dressed in a Montrose doublet I think it is called with a frilly jabot and tartan socks. So was this something special or was it just the expected kilt outfit of the time? I just think it looks so much how I would expect a highland dress to look.

I'm afraid I cannot answer this. Maybe someone will be able to. To be honest, I only know about kilt wearing in 2018. What kilt wearing is now.

What I can tell you, is that there are levels with all components of Highland Dress. For example, a tam o shanter hat is informal and is never formal. Glengarry and Balmoral caps can either be formal or informal. A full-dress sporran is very formal, a day sporran is very informal. Understand?

Personally, I don't like Tam o Shanter hats. I think they look too jokey and costume-like. To put it back on the subject, yes different types of hose have different levels. I love all types of hose.

Plain = relaxed and formal

Argyll/Tartan/Diced = very smart and extremely formal

[Ivor]

I have been reading as many posts here, Patrick as I can and I get the distinct feeling that there are things that you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to wearing kilts. What comes across particularly strongly from one individual in particular is that unless you are a “Highlander”, whatever that means, then you really are only here on sufferance. It really does make one feel that wearing highland dress is something you need to study and get a degree in rather than wear clothing you feel comfortable in.

[Father Bill]

I have been reading as many posts here, Patrick as I can and I get the distinct feeling that there are things that you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to wearing kilts. What comes across particularly strongly from one individual in particular is that unless you are a “Highlander”, whatever that means, then you really are only here on sufferance. It really does make one feel that wearing highland dress is something you need to study and get a degree in rather than wear clothing you feel comfortable in.

Take it easy and take it slowly Ivor.

Yes, we have some very opinionated, black and white, inflexible minds here - on both sides of that debate. "You can only... or there's something wrong with you" and also "You can do whatever you want because it's nobody's business but your own."

We also have a lot of very reasonable & knowledgeable members who try to come up with sensible, recognizable ways of doing things. Relax, learn, then decide sensibly before you part with your money. You'll be fine.

[Ivor]

Thank you for your moderation, Father Bill, and I am sure that people give their opinion in good faith. I only made that comment from an impression that you needed to be born a “Highlander” to wear Highland dress. As I said to Patrick, I am married to a Scottish lassie who would love me to wear the kilt but some of the things I have read are fairly intimidating as though it is something only true “Highlanders” ar qualified to wear. I will keep an open mind but maybe will hold off for the time being.

[PatrickHughes123]

Yes, we have some very opinionated, black and white, inflexible minds here - on both sides of that debate. "You can only... or there's something wrong with you" and also "You can do whatever you want because it's nobody's business but your own."

Yes, Ivor. I would agree with Father Bill. Luckily for you, I'm somewhere in-between those extremes, certainly more towards "You can do whatever you want because it's nobody's business but your own.", but only slightly. I keep traditional conventions in mind while leaving some room for personal innovation and modern development, I try to get a balance.

For example, I hate utility kilts because they are too nontraditional and modern but will not wear a kilt that dates back earlier than the Victorian times, although that is historical kilt wear but you get my point. I believe that Glengarries and Balmorals are the only suitable head wear for kilts, but have no issue with a bright orange Glengarry with purple/green/red dicing with a gold toorie. This is just my personal opinion, I advise you use the Scottish Tartan Authority website, they are great, and trustworthy as they are an authority on Highland Dress.

[kiltedsawyer]

I can tell you that my kilt hose always match..........................both left and right.

[PatrickHughes123]

I can tell you that my kilt hose always match..........................both left and right.

Yeah, they come as a pair.

[McMurdo]

Ivor
I would suggest you take a look at the 1 kilt 10 looks thread here

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

It should answer some of the questions you have regarding hose, Montrose Doublets etc.