Nothing New Under the Sun...

A friend recently forwarded to me this photo of Lord Ashbourne in a kilt, c. 1908. (The photo comes from The Bystander, vol. 19, published 1908).

The first thing I noticed about this photo was Lord Ashbourne's hose. Look at the fancy patterned tops.

This is essentially the same fashion as seen in some of the hose we carry in the Scottish Tartans Museum gift shop, namely these:

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/hose_specialty.htm

Or, if you want to be able to customize your hose top, these hand knit versions:

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/royal_cuffs.htm

Wearing hose with fancy tops has enjoyed recent popularity, and so some may assume this to be a "new fad." In actuality, it would seem to be a resurgence of an older style.