Would red kilt hose overpower the kilt?

[imrichmond]

I often wear claret hose with my MacKenzie and Scottish National kilts, but I avoid bright red hose. The problem for me with any kind of very bright or garish hose is that it immediately attracts the eye and thus becomes the focal point of the outfit, leaving the kilt itself on the periphery. I know others will disagree, but for me the kilt should remain the focal point of the highland outfit.

[Karl R]

Thanks for all of the responses. They gave me a lot to think about.

So my advice is to put the outfit on and look in a mirror.

Well, I don't own the red hose, which makes it hard to check in that way. I was asking before buying them.

It's not entirely clear (from the photo) how bright red the socks are. The brighter they are, the less likely I am to ever own a shirt in that color. Bright reds aren't the best with my complexion. I'm not so worried about having them next to my knees, rather than next to my face, though.

Regarding shirts:
That's a good idea about matching the hose to the shirt. I saw some kilt hose in other colors that might match one or more of my shirts.

Bringing out the red stripe in the kilt:
I hadn't thought of that, but I can see how that would happen.

Regarding dark burgundy, claret or maroon hose:
I'd love to find cotton kilt hose in that color. Does anyone know where to find them online?

I'm picky about cotton, because I expect to be overheating most of the time (between the local weather and my tendency to spend all of my time on the dance floor).

Thanks again.

[Taskr]

It depends on the look you are wanting to portray. Red doesn’t always say “subdued and casual” depending on what else you have it paired up with but it isnt necessarily formal either. Supposing you don’t have a shop nearby to bring the kilt to and figure out hose colour(s), one option might be to find something red that you figure approximates the colour of hose you’re looking at purchasing and put it against the kilt.

When purchasing online, it is always good to confirm the returns policy since we sometimes end up with unexpected results.

[Geoff Withnell]

I get mine here: https://www.townsends.us/collections/stockings

[Karl R]

Thanks, Geoff. Those look great.

[kingandrew]

For cotton kilt hose, I have often ordered the cable-knit knee socks from sockdreams.com. They are lightweight, comfortable and have the right sort of texture for kilt socks. They are not as thick as traditional kilt socks, though, and don't really have much of a "turn-down" at the top. They are usually available in bright red and a few other colors (I have dark green and "oatmeal" versions as well). I haven't seen them in maroon, but you might check the website.

I have not had the Townsends hose myself, but have always heard good things about them.

Andrew

[OC Richard]

I think I've seen that same tartan called Spirit Of Bannockburn.

EDIT: It's being sold as Spirit Of Bruce, here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Spirit-Of-B...PVw:rk:18:pf:0

In any case yes red or claret hose would be a fine choice, and follow the principle of matching the kilt.

The tartan is black, grey, and claret so wearing hose of any of those colours would have the hose repeating colours which are already present in your outfit.

Personally I try to, when possible, not match the kilt but rather co-ordinate with it.

If the red in the tartan is a dull red (I think it is) then bright red hose would help liven things up.

More visual impact would come from going outside the tartan's colours, but with that particular tartan I think it would be a tricky thing to pull off successfully.

I would have to see it to know... if I were wearing that kilt out at a Games I'd hold up various hose against it to see what "zings" with the tartan... perhaps nothing! Perhaps a certain yellow, or blue? Who can say.

[tripleblessed]

Thanks for all of the responses. They gave me a lot to think about.


Regarding shirts:
That's a good idea about matching the hose to the shirt. I saw some kilt hose in other colors that might
match one or more of my shirts.

A perusal of the extensive photo collection posts on this site has demonstrated to me that not only is
matching ANYTHING not necessary, it is often a detriment to a pleasing look. Coordinating with, or some
have said, toning with, is often to usually a better approach. Claret hose tend to work with almost anything.
Purple works with a surprisingly broad spectrum of combinations. Just wear a kilt a lot, and in a wide variety
of situations. I think you'll find as your comfort level grows, so will your eye.

[Jock Scot]

.................. Would red hose (like these) overpower the kilt? ......

Thanks.

In a word or three. No it wouldn't.

[Karl R]

The red kilt hose arrived Monday. They're a little darker than they appeared in the original online photo (also darker than the photos provided by FossilHunter and RichRail). They're going to look terrific with the kilt.

Thanks everyone.