Tartan hose?

[Dixiecat]

As a highland dancer who is required to wear matching tartan hose, I'd send them back. In fact, my first hose were made to match the Dalgleish weave of Dress Eildon which is more royal blue when my Canadian weave Dress Eildon were more of a prussian (navy with a green undertone) blue. I know, I know, nit-picky it seems to be, but two totally different blues.

That being said, your hose are not that far off and you could keep them if you wish, but it seems that you'll always be thinking that they don't match, so back they go.

Have you contacted Kilkeel in Ireland? http://www.kilkeelknitwear.com/

[Lallans]

I've never been accused of being either colourblind or overly picky about such things. In your case, and of course on my monitor (not live as you are), the colours look so similar that I would have said that it was the texture of the hose vs the kilt that was making the just-on-the-edge-of-perception difference. In fact the difference is so edgy that I would never have thought twice about it even if I had noticed in the first place. But if you aren't happy, that's what counts- it was and will be your money.

[scotchmaster]

Paul,

If you went with Skye Highland outfitters they dye the wool to match your tartan you send them a sample or a trimming of fringe and thaey match exactly. Own 4 pairs of their tartan hose and all match beautifully. I know they aren't in the UK but I am sure he will ship to you. He is NorCal piper on XMTS.

[wildrover]

I understand about them not matching exactly but they do look really good with the kilt. One seems a little short, though. If they seem durable I'd be inclined to keep them rather than risk getting something expensive that won't wear as well.

I was gonna say "they both look a bit long!

To my way of thinking, tartan hose has to either match or compliment. On my monitor, these hose seem to fall somewhere in the middle, being just enough off to not look right, though I wouldn't say they're bad. When you order matching hose, though, they should match. I would send them back and get what was really wanted somewhere else.

I agree completely. They neither contrast nor match, and while they are beautiful hose, I personally don't think they work and it would bug me no end, were I in your hose at the moment. That's pretty nice of the seller, tho, to give it a shot and let you know you can send them back.

Say, let's have a look at that sporran, looks interesting from the couple inches you're showing.

-Sean

[mayberry]

I agree that they look great, but also understand the dissatisfaction with the imprecision, especially for that kind of money. I think I'd contact the maker, saying that I was not fully pleased with them, and would like to return them for a refund. Then I would ask what they would do with them; would they consider selling them for (whatever an extra pair of not-quite perfectly-matched-but-beautiful hose are worth to you).
Cheers,
John

[Paul]

I was gonna say "they both look a bit long!

I agree completely. They neither contrast nor match, and while they are beautiful hose, I personally don't think they work and it would bug me no end, were I in your hose at the moment. That's pretty nice of the seller, tho, to give it a shot and let you know you can send them back.

Say, let's have a look at that sporran, looks interesting from the couple inches you're showing.

-Sean

Here's the sporran. Civilian goat hair sporran with horse hair tassles. Made in Ireland.

[Paul]

I agree that they look great, but also understand the dissatisfaction with the imprecision, especially for that kind of money. I think I'd contact the maker, saying that I was not fully pleased with them, and would like to return them for a refund. Then I would ask what they would do with them; would they consider selling them for (whatever an extra pair of not-quite perfectly-matched-but-beautiful hose are worth to you).
Cheers,
John

John, that may well be a good idea!

[Paul]

I have mixed emotions in regard your dillemma Paul. From first glance I think the hose look great with the kilt tartan, but on closer inspection agree that there is a blue undertone to the medium grey in the hose that is not there in the tartan. Probably most people would not notice it and thereforewould be satisfied, but you did notice it and it will forever bug you if you decide to keep them. It seems your hose-maker agreed with you that it was an imperfect match and agreed to take them back, so it is purely up to you. However, getting a perfect match may not be possible, may not be possible at that price point, and getting a perfect match may cost you a pretty schilling to do so in addition to the undesireable delay you seem to want to avoid, reason withstanding.

Tough decision, but yours and yours alone to make my friend. I have made similar and been able to get over my constant awareness of the known imperfection, but I have also been bugged to death by the same thing at times. I do not envy you your choices. But I do wish you good luck with your project.

Lovely tartan by the way---did we ever declare what it was to the rabble, or did I simply miss it?

Jeff

Jeff, I missed your post when going through the thread earlier.
You summed up the situation very well. I've given it a few days and realised it wouldnt bug me forever, but still is at the moment. I've yet to make a final decision, still!

The kilt was made by Slanj and is the SNP tartan. I'm hoping to wear it to a celidh on saturday so there will be plenty of pictures of swinging pleats, and Imay have made a decision about the hose by then too.

[Jack Daw]

Paul, I think you are right. By all means return them.