All black: a safe choice?

**Piipriker** · 7th February 12, 09:30 AM

OT

Originally Posted by OC Richard

... And a couple bands took the daring step of wearing two-coloured mingled cords... black AND white!) ...

reminds me of the Blues Brothers movie
"Which kind of music do you usually play here?"
"Oh, we have both. Country AND Western!"

**creagdhubh** · 7th February 12, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

***... I'd also suggest you might want to re-think wearing those thick-soled ghille brogues to a dance. While the ghillies are fine outdoors, they really don't do well on the dance floor; they are just that tad too heavy and clunky for any sort of elegant footwork.

Agreed. They make ghillie brogues specifcally designed for dancing (to change into if you prefer, just prior to dancing), and for men, which is rather nice. Of course, non-clunky soles work fine too for most of the 'gentler' reels and Strathspeys.

**celticpride** · 7th February 12, 10:55 AM

not all will like the all black look but i think it should reflect your own personal style. i wanted something to wear while playing piping competitions ( indoor ones...lol ).

By redeyeso00o at 2011-06-29

**Màrtainn** · 7th February 12, 05:47 PM

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** · 7th February 12, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by 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!

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** · 7th February 12, 06:56 PM

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** · 8th February 12, 03:06 PM

All Black is great:

**Chase** · 8th February 12, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

Excellent Pic McMurdo...One of my favs of you...Represent!

**Màrtainn** · 8th February 12, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Chase

All Black is great:

That was exactly the look I was going for!

**OC Richard** · 11th February 12, 04:26 AM

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!