New kilt ordered - what do I wear with it?

[carlb]

Specifically, hose, but more general sartorial advice is always welcome.

So, I just ordered a USAKilts semi-traditional in the German Heritage Tartan:

Seemed like a nice way to honor my Scottish and German roots at the same time. Then I thought, hmmm...what color hose would I wear with this? And I had no good answer.

I will mostly be wearing this kilt in casual-ish environments - Highland Games, pub nights, etc. I expect that the highest level of formality I would undertake would be a long-sleeved dress shirt under a nice sweater. More typically would just be a solid color polo shirt or open-collared oxford.

Red hose would seem an "obvious" choice, but I wonder about there being too much red in the whole ensemble (and I'm trying to step away from the matchy-matchy thing). Black hose would seem too somber to me. Charcoal, maybe, with red or yellow flashes?

I did have my eye on some red and black diced hose at the Scottish Tartan Museum's store:

But I didn't know if they were suitable for the more casual dress I will be adopting (at least for the near future).

So, any help or suggestions for an appropriate color palate are quite welcome.

[ForresterModern]

Black with red flashes, charcoal with red flashes, red with black flashes, or the diced black and red with black flashes would look grand IMHO. Personally I would stay away froom the yellow hose and flashes myself, but I am sure others would say that they would be okay--just not my style.

[artificer]

The diced hose are generally considered dressy/formal wear. Although there are individuals who do wear diced/Argyll/tartan hose more casually.

You might want consider the Lewis hose, also from the STM.

Either St. Andrews blue or either Loden / Lovat green would be the way I'd go.

I'd also encourage you to look at Garter Ties, rather than the standard ribbon/elastic garters flashes.

They are WAY more comfortable, and look worlds nicer IMO.

I have pairs in brick red and mustard gold.

[1oldsarge]

I'd say cream-colored with red flashes.

[MacMillans son]

Congratulations on your new purchase!

Though it may sound off on first consideration, the Lewis Dark Naturals or Bisons would also be a nice choice for casual wear. I think the browns help to tone down the red a bit (think fall color palette) without clashing nor matching.

Have fun with it, there is really no wrong choice.....Ok, pink hose may be a wrong choice with that tartan

Good luck!

Brooke

[Zardoz]

Charcoal with red or yellow (or tartan?) flashes is my first impression, but brick red or yellow hose would certainly stand out. And of course stone/oatmeal hose go with everthing.

[artificer]

Congratulations on your new purchase!

Though it may sound off on first consideration, the Lewis Dark Naturals or Bisons would also be a nice choice for casual wear. I think the browns help to tone down the red a bit (think fall color palette) without clashing nor matching.

Have fun with it, there is really no wrong choice.....Ok, pink hose may be a wrong choice with that tartan

Good luck!

Brooke

Duke of Argyll

Nothing wrong with pink hose... not that I could pull off the look.

ith:

[Jock Scot]

How about, Lovat green, or bottle green hose with dark blue, or red flashes? Or, no flashes at all?

[Spartan Tartan]

I think some yellow flashes would be a good compliment to the kilt. I don't think I could wear yellow hose (personally), but flashes are just that...FLASH!

[carlb]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Green never occurred to me, as it's not represented in the tartan, but that's why I look to y'all for help. I'm too myopic in my thinking.

Thanks for the help so far!