Colors - Matching

[MacLowlife]

A complementary color is simply described as (and is) the opposite on the color wheel from another color. It may in fact BE complementary by definition, but is it "visually" (by perception) a "complementary" color?

Yellow is (by this definition) complementary to Purple, but it may still not be visual pleasing and there by, even though it's "complementary" by definition, it may not be visually considered by some to be "complementary".

There are phenomena that can be measured. A color placed next to its complementary color will be more striking. If you stare at a red square for a minute and then look at a blank white space, you will see a green after-image. Those are scientific facts.

What is pleasing and what is perceived to be harmonious comes down to taste, or opinion, if you prefer. Fashions change and different cultures treat different colors differently. We can say the same for architecture and geometry or for music- how many tones does your musical scale have?

I once heard someone say that you can make a pretty good color scheme by picking up three or four rocks and shells from a beach. Right now, the view out my window looks a lot like the Buchanan tartan. Pastel blue walls with beige pillows and grey upholstery works for some people, just as rust and gold and green does for others.

Here is a yellow and purple sport coat- in fact, two of them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/POLO-RALPH-L...item51b4ec356b

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=111220052501

Someone can be presumed to have liked the effect. It may not be visually considered by SOME to be complementary, but the same can be said for any garment or color combination. de gustibus non est disputandem.

[Carlo]

Some time ago the BBC showed an episode of Horizon about colours. It seems that language might have a bigger influence on how we see colours than taste. So count me out on that topic .
I like my orange with white and green and with an added portion of blue.
(Just realised that I should be Irish with my colour taste)

[Nathan]

Very interesting indeed. I've always been a "top of the knee" kind of guy myself. Since a young age, it's what I've always been told by family and fellow Macphersons.

Very smart indeed, Kyle. I do like your choice of tweed. Certainly not run of the mill. The way I solved the top of knee, mid knee dilema is by accepting that because of my unsubstantial posterior, the kilt is likely to settle as I walk around. I start at the top of the knee and when it droops, it's still mid-knee and ok.

[mookien]

... I start at the top of the knee and when it droops, it's still mid-knee and ok.

And that, too, is precisely why I like my kilts to be no longer than top-of-knee.

[creagdhubh]

Very smart indeed, Kyle. I do like your choice of tweed. Certainly not run of the mill. The way I solved the top of knee, mid knee dilema is by accepting that because of my unsubstantial posterior, the kilt is likely to settle as I walk around. I start at the top of the knee and when it droops, it's still mid-knee and ok.

I was actually going to mention the very same thing, Nathan. The more I walk around during the course of a day whilst wearing the kilt (or dancing), it does tend to naturally "slide" down just a wee bit, not too terribly much, but enough for me to have to re-adjust slightly, or tighten the two straps. I do believe this is simply a normal occurrence when wearing a kilt, especially if it's made of 8-yards of heavyweight tartan like mine. Thanks for your kind words!

[OC Richard]

A complementary color is simply described as (and is) the opposite on the color wheel from another color. It may in fact BE complementary by definition, but is it "visually" (by perception) a "complementary" color?

Yellow is (by this definition) complementary to Purple, but it may still not be visual pleasing and there by, even though it's "complementary" by definition, it may not be visually considered by some to be "complementary".

I was indulging in a pun, I suppose, but yes, to my eye the blue jacket and hose do very much compliment that orangish kilt. Colour theory helps explain why it works.

Yellow and purple, by the way, seem to be regarded as quite pleasing to many; they form the basis of the Culloden tartan, and are the team colours for the Los Angeles Lakers amongst others.

[OC Richard]

As far as complimentary colours go, here are a couple tartans I made up a while back, as part of a discussion on some other thread. Each tartan is based on complimentary colours. Each only took around 10 minutes to design.

[TJ Kelley]

I am kinda with KiltFitz on this one, I tend to be MatchyMatchy.
I dont know if I could sport the entire color wheel in one outfit.

I do admire checked/patterned hose and the combinations some of you gentlemen pull off.
But have to be honest... this look doesn't have the same effect on all, some look very clown like.

Something inside of me says the Kilt is enough of a stand out, all on its own.

[Tobus]

I was actually going to mention the very same thing, Nathan. The more I walk around during the course of a day whilst wearing the kilt (or dancing), it does tend to naturally "slide" down just a wee bit, not too terribly much, but enough for me to have to re-adjust slightly, or tighten the two straps. I do believe this is simply a normal occurrence when wearing a kilt, especially if it's made of 8-yards of heavyweight tartan like mine. Thanks for your kind words!

I'm not so sure I'd call it a "normal occurrence when wearing a kilt". I've never experienced slippage of my kilts.

A lot of it, I'm sure, has to do with body shape. And kilt construction. You prefer two-buckle kilts while I prefer three-buckle kilts. I do think the lower buckle, even if only loosely buckled, helps prevent slippage by providing additional contact below the top of the kilt. It conforms to my body shape more closely instead of merely hanging. I'm sure some "expert" will chime in soon enough to say that's all wrong, but for whatever reason, I just don't get kilt slippage on my tanks.

[Nathan]

I'm not so sure I'd call it a "normal occurrence when wearing a kilt". I've never experienced slippage of my kilts.

A lot of it, I'm sure, has to do with body shape. And kilt construction. You prefer two-buckle kilts while I prefer three-buckle kilts. I do think the lower buckle, even if only loosely buckled, helps prevent slippage by providing additional contact below the top of the kilt. It conforms to my body shape more closely instead of merely hanging. I'm sure some "expert" will chime in soon enough to say that's all wrong, but for whatever reason, I just don't get kilt slippage on my tanks.

I can tighten it up to the point that I get no slippage, but it isn't comfortable. I agree that it could be a body shape thing because my kilt is wonderfully constructed.