Tartan ball hose that look great with Muted MacDonald of Glencoe

**Tolen** · 10th August 17, 07:12 PM

I have a new Tewksbury (thanks Barb!) Muted MacDonald of Glencoe kilt (tartan in my Avatar) and want to have some great hose to wear to the Clan Donald tartan ball coming up soon at their AGM in Savannah GA. I've read the discussion so I know white is out. Can you guys suggest something that would look great at a formal event like the ball? The tartan colors that predominate are sort of a wine color, a deep green, and sort of a brownish hue where the red interacts with the green. Most of the pics I've seen of the tartan make it look like a bright plum color, but it not near that bright.

**The Wizard of BC** · 11th August 17, 12:21 AM

The reason you see the caution about white is that you seem to see white hose all over the web. But white is so overdone that if you go to a wedding and see the guy in front with white hose you immediately know he rented his kilt.

Can you wear white? Of course you can. But do so as a conscious decision because it looks better with the outfit, not because some website led you to believe that it is more 'proper'.

Today most people use darker colors for formal occasions. I personally wear charcoal grey for formal and I think it looks classy and elegant. Less costume looking.

Can you wear diced hose? Well, sure you can. But really, how deep are your pockets? Can you afford $140.00 for a pair of socks?

And try to think outside of the box that says the hose color should be based on the colors of the Tartan. There are so many great colors. What color shirt are you going to wear? What color tie? Why not coordinate your hose color with those and let the Tartan be the centerpiece of the outfit. We want people to see the kilt as our centerpiece. Let it stand on its own. It can do it, I promise.

**MacKenzie** · 11th August 17, 07:10 AM

To this point...

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

... let the Tartan be the centerpiece of the outfit.

... bison would be my choice. https://scottishlion.com/products/bi...kilt-hose.html

See green here... http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-review-45664/

**KD Burke** · 11th August 17, 07:57 AM

Nearly anything except Orange would work, though I'd avoid claret as being close, but not close enough, in hue to the ground of the kilt.

Lovat blue or green would look fine. So would grey or navy.

Yellow would work, if you had a yellow tie to work off of.

Pink would look good too, but certain folks would consider it too "matchy" for their tastes.

**Jock Scot** · 11th August 17, 08:23 AM

Sound advice has been given, but I cannot help but think that there is an awful lot of overthinking is going on by those giving advice on this subject. You have plenty of colour options to think about and with a bit of trial and error you will develop your tastes as time goes by , but I honestly think this matching and complimenting idea really does cloud the issue more than somewhat.

Grab a shirt any shirt that you like----for a dress(formal) event then white will probably be the choice, a black bow tie is the usual option for the event, the jacket will probably be black ,or, maybe dark blue and the kilt are the colours it is. So, hose colour is any colour you like other than black or white for the good reasons that Steve gave above, so I would suggest a start with navy blue hose. While you are at the do, take note of what others are wearing and you may spot other colours that suit you better in the future. There is nothing like the mixtures of colours that others wear for real, for ideas.

The question then might arise in your mind, "what about flashes"? Again, any colour you like, as long as they are not tartan is a good guide, but for a start I would suggest dark green, possibly dark red to go with the navy blue hose. Good luck!

**figheadair** · 11th August 17, 08:48 AM

At risk of going off topic, the MacDonald of Glencoe tartan is an interesting one.

The pattern is said to have been taken from a fragment of cloth in the West Highland Museum in Fort William. It is thought claimed) that the fragment was found in Glencoe and automatically attributed to the the MacDonalds but with no proof other than the alleged Glencoe connection.

Despite enquiries I have been unable to trace the original specimen to determine what age it is.

**Tolen** · 11th August 17, 12:06 PM

I forgot to add that I'm wearing a formal white shirt, Prince Charlie, and black Ghillie Brouges (eventually buckle brogues but don't have them yet). No white socks for me, but I'm just looking for something quite classy, not necessarily something that matches the kilt).

**McMurdo** · 11th August 17, 03:28 PM

I would go with Navy or a dark Green. Take a look at this thread

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-review-45664/

**David Dubh** · 12th August 17, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I would go with Navy or a dark Green. Take a look at this thread

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-review-45664/

I would agree with McMurdo on this one, which ever colour you go with for hose and use the other colour for the flashes.
Just my opinion.

**CollinMacD** · 14th August 17, 09:12 AM

Although I am fairly new to dressing in kilt, I am a MacDonald....very familiar with this plaid. So I would go with a Navy Blue or Black hose, with dark red flashes. The plaid is beautiful and should be the focal point especially if you are formal...I am not a fan of lighter hose, especially at a formal affair. I am a student of Jock Scot above, and think his advice is tops. Since I have been on this forum for over a year now, a lot of good advise, from Father Bill, Jock and others who know what they are talking about....