advice on accessories please

[Spartan Tartan]

MacMillin's Son makes some good points. I also prefer to be color coordinnated--not necessarily matched, but coordinated. I am liking the idea of a light yellow shirt to go with your outfit.

[Jock Scot]

-------------For what it's worth, it is my understanding that the"nothing matches" look is one born of economic necessity of a somewhat impoverished people who did not have too many options to choose from.-----------

Whilst what you have said does have a certain element of truth, I don't think that it is a major part of how/why the Scots choose their kilt attire as they do. Certainly for normal day wear there is also an element of duel purpose too. Shooting socks/kilt hose, tattersall shirt for country wear/kilt wear, brogues with country attire/kilt attire, ties with all styles of attire.

Mostly though, I think we have worked out that not bothering, too much,(some choices do not work, EVER, but we soon work out what works!) about matching things does give us huge variety options that are acceptable to all. Simple really.

[Nighthawk]

Whilst what you have said does have a certain element of truth, I don't think that it is a major part of how/why the Scots choose their kilt attire as they do. Certainly for normal day wear there is also an element of duel purpose too. Shooting socks/kilt hose, tattersall shirt for country wear/kilt wear, brogues with country attire/kilt attire, ties with all styles of attire.

Mostly though, I think we have worked out that not bothering, too much,(some choices do not work, EVER, but we soon work out what works!) about matching things does give us huge variety options that are acceptable to all. Simple really.

As Yoda would have put it were he to wear kilts, "Listen to Jock you must. Wise he is." Personally, I like the idea of practicality. While I don't wear a shirt and tie with all attire, like Jock suggests, I do always wear whatever is most practical (and in the Colorado desert, the layers required for daily shirt and tie wear are just not practical.) Right now, practicality includes a nice green t shirt in good repair and a black leather vest. My vest has 4 pockets- two outside and two inside- and isn't especially insulating. The shirt/vest combination makes me look like I put a little effort and thought into the way I dressed this morning. But to give a more specific answer, I personally would mix hot colored hose with your hat/tartan combination- maybe a mustard or tartan red pair of hose. Shirt... Well, I find that I like black or white for my shirts. Those two colors match everything, and meet most levels of formality, from casual daywear to black tie- one of those two colors will go everywhere and anywhere! But when in doubt... KISS!! Keep It Simple, Stupid! (Not to say that anyone in this thread is stupid- that's just the acronym.)

[SlackerDrummer]

I would agree, a hat is an accessory not a central part of an outfit. I guess I was referring to the kilt and the concept of coordinating vs. not coordinating. However, if I had more than one hat I would definitely choose one that was somewhat coordinated with the outfit I was wearing vs. one that was not. Or, if I knew I were to have only one hat I would purchase one that was a pretty neutral color so that coordination was less of an issue. Again, just a matter of personal preference and style.

You are absolutely right in that, especially when it comes to choosing one of several to wear or which one to buy. I'm just not sure I'd build an outfit around a hat.

[sailortats]

I think that maybe my original question was misleading. I am not trying to match to the hat or to build an outfit around it. My only concern is that with the rest of my outfit I do not want to look like a garish neon sign. Too many colors, to my mind, would not be good. I liked Riverkilts idea of a tan shirt (have one) and tan hose (have none)

[David Thorpe]

...tan hose (have none)

Excellent excuse to shop!