All black: a safe choice?

[Màrtainn]

Wow, thank you for all your input!
I'll keep 'all black' as the easy option for now, but at the same time I'll keep my eyes open for other colours of hoses (I'll be going to a Scottish fair this weekend) where I might be able to find a matching shirt for.

And afterwards I'll post some pics, of course!

[McMurdo]

Wow, thank you for all your input!
I'll keep 'all black' as the easy option for now, but at the same time I'll keep my eyes open for other colours of hoses (I'll be going to a Scottish fair this weekend) where I might be able to find a matching shirt for.

And afterwards I'll post some pics, of course!

If it were me, I would not worry too much about the shirt. I simply use shirts that I had in my wardrobe already. Buy some hose in colours you like, that will work with the tartan, they do not have to necessarily match. I would suggest the following colours

Lovat Blue
Lovat Green
Yellow
Bottle Green
Red
Navy Blue
Oatmeal
Claret

With hose in those colours you should be ready for anything.

[Downunder Kilt]

Having worn MacLaren tartan kilts for a number of years I would never dream of wearing all black with such a wonderful tartan. In the modern tones the tartan is quite dark and wearing it with all black shirt, tie and hose would, in my opinion, be like the wearing of a funeral suit. A off white, or very light blue coloured shirt, plain or tattersall, with a striped tie would be ideal for a ceilidh during the day or evening. Black leathers is a fine choice for a ceilidh. As others have suggested various colours of hose, I cannot do anything but agree. Red flashes always look great with the MacLaren. Whatever you decide upon, have a great night.

[Chase]

All Black is great:

[Màrtainn]

All Black is great:

That was exactly the look I was going for!

[OC Richard]

Here are a couple photos which illustrate what I was saying.

Here's the typical 1990's pipe band look in which everything but the kilt is either black or white. Here, though, the flashes are red, though many bands wore black flashes with the white hose. Also, most bands went with plain black leather sporrans as opposed to the sealskin sporrans seen here



Here's an all-black outfit, which I do not care for



and its Evil Twin



Ah give me back the old Highland love for colour and pattern!

[Lyle1]

Wow, thank you for all your input!
I'll keep 'all black' as the easy option for now, but at the same time I'll keep my eyes open for other colours of hoses (I'll be going to a Scottish fair this weekend) where I might be able to find a matching shirt for.

And afterwards I'll post some pics, of course!

I think you have come to a wise conclusion. With one kilt and even a small collection of accessories, you can have many different looks for many different occasions or moods. There is a thread with a sticky that illustrates that point quite well. When you receive your kilt, have a look at all of your shirts, casual or dressy, and see what works; some items that you might not think would work, might work very well.

Don't be afraid to match the colors in your kilt, and don't be afraid to try wearing colors that contrast one another. Have fun and enjoy wearing your kilt.