Need help with hose color choice for a solid brown kilt

[OC Richard]

One of the articles I've read about proper attire said that the easiest thing to do when starting out is to consider your kilt on equal footing with a pair of trousers

I couldn't disagree more, if the article is suggesting treating kilt hose colour as you would trouser socks colour. This is completely contrary to the traditions of Highland Dress.

With trousers the aim usually appears to be to try to make the socks as blended and unobtrusive as possible. Kiltwearing has never been like that!

The true analogy with a Saxon suit is to treat kilt hose colour as you would shirt and necktie colour. If you had a brown suit would you wear a matching brown shirt and matching brown tie? Rather, most men would choose contrasting things which coordinated, which had light/dark warm/cool etc contrasts. It's this sort of contrast and coordination which have long been a hallmark of Highland Dress.