Brick Red Hose

[Downunder Kilt]

Here is a link to Matt Newsomes site, just scoll down a bit for the colours.
http://newhousehighland.com/hose.html

[ASinclair]

I actually put red brick kilt hose on my Christmas wish list earlier today! I have lovat green, lovat blue, and black and want a brighter color so I can add some pop when I feel like it. So, I say, go for it, Sharkman.

[Hawk]

Here is a link to Matt Newsomes site, just scoll down a bit for the colours.
http://newhousehighland.com/hose.html

Wow, those are all very nice....I especially like the Celtic Knot one.......

That "is" the brightest version of a brick red I've seen. All the bricks in my lifetime have been closer to a dark red. Thanks for the link to Matt Newsomes site on hose, that is very nice....

Hawk

[orionpyoung]

Wow, thats red and it's ok, but I believe "brick red" is a bit darker. Can anyone clarify this......

Hawk

Oops, I was thinking the same thing. After looking at Matt's page I realized I was mixing up the claret with the brick red. I personaly like the claret better, which looks more like the "bricks" I've seen. But still that red does pop and does so well.

[creagdhubh]

I would say "go for it" brick red hose look good with almost all kilts. The contrast with the dark BW will be fine.

I agree. Brick red or claret coloured hose will look very smart with the Black Watch tartan.

Here's a photo of yours truly wearing brick red Lewis hose from House of Cheviot with the Macpherson Hunting tartan (modern colours).

[Glen]

I am contemplating purchasing some Brick Red hose to wear with my Black Watch Kilt, but I am unsure if the Brick Red is going to be too much. I have considered some Diced hose, but frankly I can not justify the cost at this time of year.

I think red is a natural with the government tartan...



However, custom diced hose from Rocky is well worth the investment. For my small feet, big calf relationship, it was the best investment...

[Tobus]

I have considered some Diced hose, but frankly I can not justify the cost at this time of year.

I am going to a dinner soon and I'll be wearing an Argyll Jacket, white shirt and tie. It is not a formal affair and if it was I wouldn't consider my Kilt because I would not be able to pull it off with what I own. Anyway the question remains whether the Brick Red hose would work. I do own Bottle Green, Charcoal and "Gawd Awful" White, but I was thinking the red just might work too.

For the event you describe, any solid-colour hose will do fine. Diced hose would be out of place with an Argyll and tie. So you're in good standing by sticking with solid-colour hose. Your bottle green hose would work fine, albeit they can look matchy-matchy with the government sett.

Brick red or claret are popular colours and there's nothing "wrong" with them at all. Even Jock Scot wears claret hose, and he's a fine example of Highland tradition. But I differ from others here, in that I think red hose look strange. That large a patch of bright colour (even when it's a subdued red like claret) is off-balance down there on one's lower legs. It throws off proportions. It draws the eye to the legs and away from everything else, especially a blue-green kilt like Black Watch. And unfortunately, there's no good way to balance it out with more red without it starting to look comical.

Keep in mind, this is just my own opinion, and obviously a minority one at that...

But I think red is best used for accents like garter ties, pocket squares, neckties, etc. Obviously, if you had a red-based tartan, that would be the centerpiece of the red. But wearing red hose looks as unbalanced and overdone to me as wearing a red Balmoral. It's a little much. The exception, of course, is red/white diced hose when dressing formally or in historical military fashion. It's still a very unbalanced look, but that's by tradition.

[creagdhubh]

For the event you describe, any solid-colour hose will do fine. Diced hose would be out of place with an Argyll and tie. So you're in good standing by sticking with solid-colour hose. Your bottle green hose would work fine, albeit they can look matchy-matchy with the government sett.

Brick red or claret are popular colours and there's nothing "wrong" with them at all. Even Jock Scot wears claret hose, and he's a fine example of Highland tradition. But I differ from others here, in that I think red hose look strange. That large a patch of bright colour (even when it's a subdued red like claret) is off-balance down there on one's lower legs. It throws off proportions. It draws the eye to the legs and away from everything else, especially a blue-green kilt like Black Watch. And unfortunately, there's no good way to balance it out with more red without it starting to look comical.

Keep in mind, this is just my own opinion, and obviously a minority one at that...

But I think red is best used for accents like garter ties, pocket squares, neckties, etc. Obviously, if you had a red-based tartan, that would be the centerpiece of the red. But wearing red hose looks as unbalanced and overdone to me as wearing a red Balmoral. It's a little much. The exception, of course, is red/white diced hose when dressing formally or in historical military fashion. It's still a very unbalanced look, but that's by tradition.

Fair enough, Tobus and you raise some rather interesting and valid points.

I tend to think when the red "family" of kilt hose; i.e. - dusty pink, bilberry, tartan red, brick red, claret, etc, are represented and paired up with all of the right components in order to make an overall outfit appear aesthetically pleasing, then I believe the attire can most certainly work. I do agree that colour red in almost any tint or shade, can be a bit overpowering when used in large amounts (such as kilt hose), as opposed to accent pieces, when wearing Highland dress. However, I also agree with the sentiment that traditionally Highlanders have always been rather fond of colour in their wardrobe. It is in my humble opinion that when men decide to wear red hose with their kilt (in whatever tint or shade), they are looking to add a bit of "pop/flare" to their attire, or perhaps simply a colour to either contrast with the overall colour scheme of their kilt, or coordinate with a particular stripe woven in the sett. When you consider those three aspects, it is then that I think that red hose are quite a successful accessory to Highland dress.

Here's a series of photos that I think are successful examples of men wearing kilt hose in various hues of the colour red. Yes, your eyes are immediately drawn to the primary colour of red, but they don't linger there for too long, nay, they move around to the other colours represented in the attire and eventally "settle" at seeing the outfit as a whole and not necessarily broken down into fragmented parts. I think the examples of Highland day attire shown below, do not look disproportionate or off-kilter (no pun intended) in any way:

[Sharkman]

I really appreciate everyone's input. I am still deciding whether the Brick Red or possibly some Claret hose might just be the choice. I do like Tobus' opinion that colored flashes might just add the proper touch of "Pop!". Subdued but still changing things up. I also agree with him on the Bottle Green hose, which I also own. They are a bit "matchy", so maybe the colored flashes will do the trick.

Much to consider still. Luckily I have some time to decide.

Thank you all for your ideas!

[McMurdo]

I really like claret hose and I think they work well with green based tartans. Here is a photo of me with the Graham of Mentieth tartan with bowmore hose from House of Cheviot.