Hose: To Contrast, Complement and Harmonize

[azwildcat96]

In answer to the original post, I like bottle green hose with my weathered tartan kilt. There is no green in the kilt at all.

But...I also like wearing grey or black hose with the same kilt, which match/complement the colors in the kilt.

I do not own red hose yet, but would wear them in a heartbeat.

[Chirs]

Red hose!! And he pulls it off brilliantly.

[iustus]

So I have heard a good deal of different ideas much thanks to all of you.

I realize for many this is the winning idea but I'd like to set it aside after I offer it:

My wife prefers the Bright colour hose.

Granted I wear black just about every day and I used to enjoy more bright and contrasting colour schemes before my monastic life and training. And before becoming a cleric. She knew me well before those cloistered years.

So lets look at some reds.

First Tartan:


next Claret (I don't like this one myself, too much of a jewel tone for my taste but I paste it for your opinion.



tartan red


ancient red (still like it)


I didn't get a brick red but if someone has a picture they'd like to add to the soup of reds please do.

Well gents?

peace,
justin

[SlackerDrummer]

As I said in my email to you, if you are looking for a red-toned hose that would tone well with that tartan, I'd recommend the claret over the orange of the "ancient red." My reason is that the claret has "cooler" tones that I think correspond better to the kilt, whereas the orange is a warmer color.

Matt has beaten me to the draw, but I agree, claret is the way to go in my view, if a"red tone" is the route you want to go down.

But the red in Jock Scot's kilt is the warm-toned ancient red and his hose here are the cool-toned claret.



That's a two-way street. I think the claret hose are a nice complement and the ancient red hose are a nice contrast. It sort of depends on the rest of the outfit as to which one is "better".

[tripleblessed]

My opinion is probably wildly unpopular, but I just can't learn to like red hose. It's too garish.....Again, that's my opinion only, but you did ask!

Tobus, you have hit a large nail squarely on the head. Women frequently say men have no color sense, and this whole "red is always great, and the more the better" mindset completely ignores the most basic realities of harmony. Red, black, and white (the dyed/bleached commercial white) are all equally jarring. White has gotten a taste of repugnance built on its association with hire shops, but it's visually a better choice than red or black. I don't suggest here matchy-matchy, but anyone who hopes to achieve elegance has to come to accepting that matching ALWAYS trumps clashing. PERIOD. Matching is not required, or, frequently, even desired, but it IS better than the garish combinations thrown together by many here. Much more interesting is complementing and considering, as Jock and Matt have suggested, the "temperature" of color.

As has been suggested, mustard hose, with possibly claret ties, could be a very interesting choice here.

I will never tell you you CAN'T wear a particular combination, and I would never presume to berate someone on this subject. On stage I learned that with enough presence, or charisma, one can dominate bad choices with ones personal energy and carry it off, as do many native Scots. They do it as habit, supported by the energy of the land itself, and the expectation that it will be accepted. It's a little tougher in other places with different energy. The central and southern parts of Africa also support a vivid palette well. Not all locations do. Anyone CAN do it ANYWHERE, but for most it needs an understanding of the requirements. Rather like singing, some do it easily and naturally, others need a little guidance, but most can LEARN to do it more than passably well. Jock's natural, innate dignity will carry him well through many choices that might be horrendous on others.

Apologies if anyone feels this is a rant or that it's too esoteric, it's just applied physics. You know, that stuff that keeps us alive and functional.

[Bugbear]

Seasonal skin tone color types? I don't discuss them on the forum anymore...

[Zardoz]

Here's a crop of a photo of some 'Brick Red' hose, worn with my Bluebonnet tartan kilt, (which has a dark red line in it).



And for comparison, here is a not so great crop of the same kilt with Claret hose, I think both the Claret and Brick Red work well with the Bluebonnet.


Personally, if I was going to run some 'red' hose with the Clergy tartan I think I'll cast my vote for the warmer Claret as well. Other dark reds would likely work too, but I'd avoid the "ancient" red, in spite of how it looks on your monitor, it pretty much looks orange in person. Don't be afraid of color, but don't overdo it either!

Honestly, If I had a kilt in that tartan, I'd most likey pair it with bottle green or Charcoal hose, but that's just me.

[MacMillans son]

In the Lewis hose line, I would prefer the medium gray vs. the charcoal gray. If I were going for the bold colorful route with that tartan I would agree with the claret. For something different, I think the Lewis hose in purple would also work quite well. Chris at Dunadd Trading Company has that color for sale.

Jock's point is well taken, they're only hose, just make sure both hose are the same color! I think most people will respect, though may not agree with, your bold use of color.

Go for it!

[creagdhubh]

Well said Kenneth, and I do like how the claret variant compliment the cool colors of the tartan, and the ancient red and other bold reds, contrast with the kilt...very smart indeed.

[robbiethepiper]

The combination of colours in the OP are what Sir Humphrey of the British Civil Service would call "a brave choice"

That may not mean much if you are american (???) See recent posts about giving general sense of where you're from......Robbie