Colors - Matching

**Jock Scot** · 2nd November 13, 11:01 PM

Thanks chaps!

Now where were we? Oh yes, the mysteries of, the not matching of colours when wearing the kilt. And-----------?

**creagdhubh** · 5th November 13, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Wait... Jock Scot owns more than one kilt?! Madness!

Hahaha! Always well turned out, Jock. Well done, my friend.

Slainte,

**Domehead** · 5th November 13, 02:41 PM

In this picture I have been accused by some of the more mischiefous members here of getting a tad matchy matchy. Well ok the shirt , tie, flashes, pocket hankerchief and a part of the kilt are blue and had I thought about it I might have changed the shirt and tie, but ------.

There's a big difference between "matchy-matchy" and contrastingly coordinated. I don't see anything in that photo which is "matchy-matchy":

1. I warm earth-toned tweed with a subtle Tattersall shirt and cooperative tie. Just a hint of a pocket square.
2. Your new kilt in the Wilson's colors, I believe - in and of itself, traditional green tartan colors with accentuating lines, per D.C. Stewart.
3. Smart claret hose with blue flashes.

The fact that your flashes and tie serve to bind your kit from nape-to-toe is a bit of a stretch to "matchy-matchy".
Well done, Sir.

**Jock Scot** · 5th November 13, 03:16 PM

Crickey! I did all that! And without a thought!

You are very kind Domehead, but I really just got up and got dressed and went to a wedding. It was really that simple!

**creagdhubh** · 6th November 13, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

It was really that simple!

As it should be, right Jock?!

**knotty** · 6th November 13, 08:09 AM

Wearing color is a funny & subjective thing.
Modern fashion & tradition may sometimes be at odds. A monochromatic look may look very good. Ive always liked a 3 piece (kilt, jacket, vest) look.
One of the advantages of kilting is the colors what may be used. When Im deciding on a look I either lay it all on the bed/valet stand. If Im in doubt, I put it on & look in the mirror.

**Jock Scot** · 6th November 13, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

As it should be, right Jock?!

Well to be fair, I have been at this kilt caper a while. Two things that help more than somewhat, much of my attire is inter-changeable between kilt attire and general attire and the other is, I am not complicating things by having countless clan tartans to consider.So I suppose that I am almost on auto pilot when I dress, but I am at my most most critical of myself when I look in the mirror, or probably more so when I can look at a picture at a quiet moment. OK a third thing! I have an advantage over many of you, in that I am able to study what other kilt wearers have on and I am always on the look out for good colour ideas. I have to say that the colours that I wear today are probably pretty much the same as I wore 40----50----60 years ago!

**creagdhubh** · 6th November 13, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well to be fair, I have been at this kilt caper a while. Two things that help more than somewhat, much of my attire is inter-changeable between kilt attire and general attire and the other is, I am not complicating things by having countless clan tartans to consider.So I suppose that I am almost on auto pilot when I dress, but I am at my most most critical of myself when I look in the mirror, or probably more so when I can look at a picture at a quiet moment. OK a third thing! I have an advantage over many of you, in that I am able to study what other kilt wearers have on and I am always on the look out for good colour ideas. I have to say that the colours that I wear today are probably pretty much the same as I wore 40----50----60 years ago!

That makes a lot of sense Jock, and much of what you say is basically my approach as well, but that hasn't always been the case. When I first began wearing Highland dress on a more consistent and regular basis (not everyday; only for special occasions, or at Scottish related events), I was a wee bit "matchy matchy." Nowadays, I make every attempt not to give it too much thought and work with what I have, but like you, when I see a photo of myself, or if I catch myself in the mirror before stepping out, there is indeed the potential of self-criticism and the nit-picking of every wee detail that goes along with it.

Of course, what has helped me immensely over the years is getting rid (selling off items, many to fellow members of the rabble) of a substantial amount of Highland dress items that I simply did not require to begin with, practically wasn't wearing at all, and were rather superfluous. I have simplified my Highland dress considerably, though I have always adhered to only wearing my clan tartan. I have always said, that if I ventured outside the realm of my own clan tartan, I would have way too many kilts, which in turn would create an abundancy of accessories to go with those kilts and for me, that would create unneccessary stress of deciding what to wear!

Then...

And now.

**DanNeil** · 6th November 13, 08:48 AM

Layne,
I know nothin' of matchy-matchy.
Most tartans have enough colors that virtually any other color looks 'coordinated'.
BESIDES, what kind of human being wants to correct a man or woman on a kilt?
Beats me.
DanNeil

**MacLowlife** · 6th November 13, 09:32 AM

There are theories about colors- about what goes well together and what does not. There is also dogma, or a set of ideas that go beyond mere theory, but still has no means of proof. Why? Because we are talking about matters of taste. Having said that ( and implying that nobody can dispute matters of taste) let's take a look at the color wheel.

Imagine a triangle. At each point, place a color- red, blue, yellow. Now place a second triangle on top of it to form the Star of David. Between red and blue, put purple, between blue and yellow, put green, and between yellow and red, put orange. The first three colors are the primary colors, the second are secondary colors. Each primary color is directly across the center of the star from a secondary color- blue is across from orange, etc. And each pair of colors across the center is a pair of Complimentary colors. That is, blue looks good with orange, red with green, and yellow with purple.

Of course, there is a whole different way of characterizing colors- warm ( or yellowish ) and cold ( bluish). And there are dozens of other ideas, like the one that compares colors to the seasons of the year. Generally speaking, though, people like to see complimentary colors together. They also like to see warm colors with other warm colors and cold ones with cold ones.

You will note, however, that such classic combinations as the blue and green of the Campbells and the Black Watch do not follow this rule. And we have not even mentioned brown or black. My advice is to look at the colors in your tartan and see if you can "pull out" minor colors ( i.e., accent them) by repeating them in another part of your outfit. Or go for a nice contrast where matching won't work. My final advice is to close your eyes and throw on the first five things you put your hand on. Take a look. If it scares you, change. If it looks surprisingly good, wear it.

Finally, everything goes with black. But all black? Maybe not.