Socks for Kilts
One thing with going kilted is that none of my old socks work. They were made for wearing with trousers, and even with a Utilikilt, they are pretty ugly.
I read a month ago, in a post at X Marks The Scot, about SockDreams.com and placed an order. Its getting colder, and I need more long, warm, kilt-able socks, yesterday I placed another. I figure its time for a basic review.
Traditionally, kilts are worn with, what else, kilt hose. And I bought a pair of those too. But since I am doing a less formal look, I like the Sock Dreams stuff better.
I had ordered a pair each of O Basics ($6), Diamond Rib Knee Highs ($8), and O Marled ($12). The O Marled seem to be the same ones that Utilikilts is offering for $14. Sock Dreams also offers FREE SHIPPING for most online orders! The kilt hose I bought needed to be shipped from Scotland, and let me tell you, that cost nearly as much again as the kilt hose.
I was initially a bit disappointed with the Diamond Rib Knee Highs. They had little loose threads at the top. Fortunately, my wife knits and knew just how to tuck them in, without her I’d have been lost on that point. Fortunately, the Diamond Ribs were cheap enough and nice enough to make up for that. I’d say that they are dressy enough for semi-formal wear, even formal wear if most people there are ignorant about kilts. They are very soft, stay up very well, and are available in 5 colors. At 8 bucks they are a sweet deal. The style goes very well with most kilts.
These are really women’s socks and are sized for a woman’s legs. So, the O Basics, which would go easily over the knee (if not cuffed) for most women, don’t on me. Still, for 6 bucks they are nice, cuff nicely, and do barely cover my knee on a cold night. Covering the knee makes a big difference in comfort when its cold, since they run up under the kilt.
The O Marled sock are great. They go well up my thigh and are nice and warm. Bunched and worn at the upper calves, they look great with a utility kilt. They are thick. Sock Dreams has them in 6 different colors, and two sizes - guys will want the large. These are definitely the warmest of the three pair I bought. Many items are available in a normal and large size.
Overall, I am very happy. I especially recommend the Diamond Rib Knee Highs and the O Marled. I like those enough I ordered more.
Overall: B+
Service: A
Quality:B
Comfort:B+
Value:B+
Long have men been subject to the poor and limited choices offered by the Trouser Tyrants. Pants are dead! Long Live the Kilt!
February 20th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Hi there! Just wanted to give you a long-overdue thanks fo this sock post. I wound up buying some of the O marled socks and have been using them this winter. I was about to go get another pair and Sockdreams says they are out of stock. Guess we’re not the only ones giving positive reviews.
Cheers,
- eric