Shoe Question

[Hamish]

Of course, I agree with Matt, and Kevin raises a very valid point, with which I also agree.

Basically: brown = daytime/informal/casual whilst black = evening/formal/dress. This would not apply to business suits (with t------s), however, when black shoes would be worn regardless of the time of day (if I remember correctly - it WAS a long time ago!)

Black hose with shoes/brogues makes that lower part of the body mass look far too heavy - as does navy or bottle green hose. If black boots are being worn, however, the wearer can get away with the dark hose ...... provided that hose is worn rolled or folded down. Beige or Oatmeal hose is the saviour of us all since it can be worn both informally and semi-formally!

I am afraid the serious kiltwearer does need a set of brown accessories (footwear, sporran, and belt) and another in black. Those misguided, and uninformed, souls who consider the kilt to be a garment for special occasions only, might just get away with the black set - but not the rest of us!

[Blu (Ontario)]

... Basically: brown = daytime/informal/casual whilst black = evening/formal/dress... If black boots are being worn, however, the wearer can get away with the dark hose ...Beige or Oatmeal hose is the saviour of us all since it can be worn both informally and semi-formally!...

Ham, am I reading into this correctly...

1. Black accessories only for semi-formal / formal wear - brown only for day wear. ergo: for shoes and belt, brown is the only "proper" color to wear as day wear ... not black. therefor my black casual sporran is a lost child as it is certainly not suitable for "evening wear".
2. Hose other than oatmeal / offwhite / white is only properly worn rolled or folded down. ergo: the chap wearing the green kilt hose on the Xmarks home page is comitting a big faux pas.
3. Beige / oatmeal hose is the only color for both casual / semi-formal. ergo: if on a limited budget, forget hose color other than beige or oatmeal.

Does that pretty much sum it up?

thanx,
blu

[phil h]

... Basically: brown = daytime/informal/casual whilst black = evening/formal/dress... If black boots are being worn, however, the wearer can get away with the dark hose ...Beige or Oatmeal hose is the saviour of us all since it can be worn both informally and semi-formally!...

Ham, am I reading into this correctly...

1. Black accessories only for semi-formal / formal wear - brown only for day wear. ergo: for shoes and belt, brown is the only "proper" color to wear as day wear ... not black. therefor my black casual sporran is a lost child as it is certainly not suitable for "evening wear".
2. Hose other than oatmeal / offwhite / white is only properly worn rolled or folded down. ergo: the chap wearing the green kilt hose on the Xmarks home page is comitting a big faux pas.
3. Beige / oatmeal hose is the only color for both casual / semi-formal. ergo: if on a limited budget, forget hose color other than beige or oatmeal.

Does that pretty much sum it up?

thanx,
blu

I don't think it matters as much today.
I first got a plain black "day sporran" then a black kilt belt,shiny buckle. then I got brown sporran and shoes, now I'm looking for a brown kilt belt,for casual I'm now going to brown,for day or casual ,BUT untill one can afford 2 or 3 of evrytin' dont worry, black is ok for day wear. on friday a casual event I'm going to either wear black day sporran (plain black) black dress belt with casual (not shiny) buckle.off white sox, black docs, or brown brogues brown/green freelander sporran, ordinary leather brown belt, and a fancy celtic buckle.
as long as you look casual you are.

[Blu (Ontario)]

So far, I've gotten away with black. Honestly, brown has just never been my color. But regardless, I've been seriously thinking about getting brown accessories anyway just for versatility. The shops that I've been to don't seem to carry brown... I'm guessing that black is what sells the most.

blu

[Mike n NC]

and just to complicate the fray...don't forget the blue/brown rule. If it's blue and lighter than midnight/navy then brown shoes are the order of the day. Shouldn't be a problem since any lighter blue worn for evening/formal occasions would be in the kilt not the accessories or jacket (light blue formal atire only works at the prom level).
I generally use a black or brown, wingtip slip on with kilt and tassles for informal up to semi-formal and 5 eyelet oxfords (no wingtip) for serious semi-formal to formal.
Ah well, such was the influence of a gentleman's gentleman on a young and impressionable boy.

Mike

[Iolaus]

I'm so confused!!!

Ok, I'm working with a limited budget and a non-traditional kilt here, sooo...

For a non-traditional look, both dress and casual...with my black UK mocker...

... for casual dress... I can wear black hose with some non-shiny black leather lace-ups, open collar dress shirt (my choice of color), with or without a black blazer.

... for evening dress... white hose (with or without flashes?), dress (polished) shoes, button up a white shirt and add tie, ...and I'm still trying to figure out a jacket choice.

Am I on the right track?

[highlander_Daz]

dont wear white socks, unless your in a pipe band, cream are much better, I rarely wear flashes (unless Im pipeing in all the gear) cream socks and dark shoes are best, I do like black socks, traditionaly only for funerals but I like the look of black socks and a black shirt, for a casual jacket a black leather bike jacket looks the business, like duncan off "monarch". Gillie shoes are really smart I always think its a shame when I attend clan gaterings and such and see guys with all the gear then normal shoes, gillies really do finish it off and they are not expensive.

[Riverkilt]

Don't know if this helps anyone.

Wore my mockers to work three days last week. With the olive and tan mockers wore cream kilt hose and brown wingtips. Wore cream kilt hose and black wingtips with the navy mocker.

Wore a white cable knit sweater with the navy mocker, white shirt and Pendleton vests with the tan and olive.

Pics in the camera.

I'm lucky though, I'm the only kilted guy in the boonies so far so I could wear most anything and no one would know - other than if it was offensive to the eyes.

Wore black kilt hose and black wingtips with my black workman's. With a red and black buffalo check shirt. Worked well I thought.

Ain't this a hoot. All us testosterone enhanced men talking fashion....I do so love this board!!

Ron

[DownEaster]

What would you guys recommend for a casual black shoe to go with my Black Watch Philabeg (still on order)? I want something that is comfortable and can be worn out to pubs, casual concerts, gatherings, etc. Thanks.

[Galant]

You know what? If we're talking casually I say wear what you like. Yes, match your colours or whatever, make an effort to do something purposeful, but in this place where many want to see kilts worn as garments and not costumes I wouldn't worry too much about always having the 'correct' outfit together. I find it's only prohibitive to my kilt wearing when I get in the mindset that if I'm going to wear it I have to get the whole 'outfit' together. That attitude often takes me to the place where I decided upon one or two clothing combinations from my wardrobe, and then I always try to dress that way.

I'm not the richest guy in the world, so I can't afford a kilt to match all the rest of my clothes, nor can I keep spending cash on clothes to go with my kilt. So whilst I always try to look good, I do vary the style - from a nice collared shirt, to more casual styles, t-shirts and sweaters. I tend to wear only two pairs of my shoes, neither one are my black, dress shoes (but I've never tried to look 'formal' yet). I have one pair of black Adidas Watermoc 2's, and one pair of tan, Polo-sport (Click)

I try to wear brown as often as possible since it's too easy to always wear black. I used to wear a lot of black and then realised I needed to be braver and start adding some colour to my wardrobe. Opting for a brown is a simple way to do that.