Hose to Kilt Combo

[Janner52]

The trouble with black, or very dark hose, is that the modern tendency to wear the kilt covering the knee and the hose meeting it in the middle, does not create a good visual effect.

[Jock Scot]

GG.

Biased?I think not. If people ask for advice then yes, I do try to give advice as best as I am able. Yes, I do give examples of good practice and the not so good in my humble opinion and kilt hire is just a handy example of how not to dress in kilt attire to best effect. Ultimately, what people choose to wear is entirely their choice.

[jsrnephdoc]

putting on my Art Department hat, and purely speaking from a design standpoint, matching never works.

You wouldn't decorate the interior of your house having the walls, carpet, all furniture, all artwork on the walls the same colour.

The trick is to co-ordinate, which is the diametric opposite of match. That's why when you go to the paint section they'll have brochures giving three-colour paint schemes.

Three-colour schemes are also standard in fashion, and a Highland outfit can be viewed from a fashion standpoint (though as I said this isn't traditional).

So, clearly, given the range of opinions already expressed, there's NO consensus on what color hose to wear, other than that black, white, and cream are perhaps abominations birthed from simplicity of inventory maintenance by the kilt hire industry.

The 3-color palette approach makes some sense to me, and given that on many kilts there are ALREADY more than 3 present, it's possible to "pull" a narrow stripe into more interest by coordinating IT with the kilt. But it also seems obvious to me that the kilt and hose should NOT be in the kilt's dominant color, so long as they don't clash. And, living in America, I guess considering fashion makes some sense. But the tartan mills certainly have caught on to that as well, cranking out so many "new" color schemes even for family tartans (there are now more than 40 different options on most kilt shop's websites for "Robertson" tartans (many of them quite similar to each other, of course, just different sett sizes or cloth weights, but the "dark," "muted," "weathered," etc. variations are largely in existence to foster cloth sales.

So perhaps there are two DOMINANT opinions being voiced here. One is just to be sure that a kilt wearer is NOT monochromatic and that the kilt and hose should not intensify that. The other is "who cares?" Just wear whatever comes out of the drawer first, and since you never succumbed to the kilt hire shop mantra in the first place, your choices will NOT include white, black, or cream.

[FossilHunter]

Not being a native kilt wearer, my objection to black and white hose isn’t from any tradition I grew up with. However it is an ugly and uninspired choice.

If a pair of Lewis hose in black is the same price as a pair in whatever color you like, why would you choose black? Now it’s one thing if someone adores black but most of the time I see it suggested as a “safe” choice that goes with anything. As Jock has pointed out, besides the traditional argument, most tartans “go” with any number of colors so it’s rare to find a pair of colored hose that would actually look bad. I’m sure it’s possible but it’s not worth the heartburn it gives so many new kilt wearers.

On the other hand, black doesn’t really “go” with anything. It lacks the subtle complex earthiness of tweeds or the vibrant pop of many tartans. It’s safe because it’s boringly inoffensive and I think being forgettably dull is about the worst way to wear highland dress.

[FossilHunter]

So, clearly, given the range of opinions already expressed, there's NO consensus on what color hose to wear, other than that black, white, and cream are perhaps abominations birthed from simplicity of inventory maintenance by the kilt hire industry.

The 3-color palette approach makes some sense to me, and given that on many kilts there are ALREADY more than 3 present, it's possible to "pull" a narrow stripe into more interest by coordinating IT with the kilt. But it also seems obvious to me that the kilt and hose should NOT be in the kilt's dominant color, so long as they don't clash. And, living in America, I guess considering fashion makes some sense. But the tartan mills certainly have caught on to that as well, cranking out so many "new" color schemes even for family tartans (there are now more than 40 different options on most kilt shop's websites for "Robertson" tartans (many of them quite similar to each other, of course, just different sett sizes or cloth weights, but the "dark," "muted," "weathered," etc. variations are largely in existence to foster cloth sales.

So perhaps there are two DOMINANT opinions being voiced here. One is just to be sure that a kilt wearer is NOT monochromatic and that the kilt and hose should not intensify that. The other is "who cares?" Just wear whatever comes out of the drawer first, and since you never succumbed to the kilt hire shop mantra in the first place, your choices will NOT include white, black, or cream.

I think the section I bolded is a pretty good summary of the thread thus far.

[jsrnephdoc]

I think the section I bolder is a pretty good summary of the thread thus far.

I'm sorry, but just what IS the "section 1 bolder?"

[FossilHunter]

I'm sorry, but just what IS the "section 1 bolder?"

Sorry that’s a typo. Should read “section I bolded.” Meaning the section of your quote that I changed to bold type for emphasis.

[Jock Scot]

------------------------- Just wear whatever comes out of the drawer first, and since you never succumbed to the kilt hire shop mantra in the first place, your choices will NOT include white, black, or cream.

Precisely.

[Arnot]

The trouble with black, or very dark hose, is that the modern tendency to wear the kilt covering the knee and the hose meeting it in the middle, does not create a good visual effect.

You're right, but I think that would apply to any colour. That's really never a good look in my opinion.

[GG]

GG.

If people ask for advice then yes, I do try to give advice as best as I am able. Yes, I do give examples of good practice and the not so good in my humble opinion...

But of course you do, Jock. I think, we all do. That's one of the advantages with a forum like XMTS where opinions can be shared. Some, we agree to, some not; and sometimes, we are in two minds. Afterall, our judgement and advice are functions of personal preferences, background etc. This also applies when talking colours.

I should like to suggest another procedure when choosing kilt hose colour, by the way. It is not just - to my opinion - a question of tartan but also of the colour of the 'top' - polo shirt, t-shirt, dress shirt, sweater etc.
Therefore, it might be a good idea to start with the kilt, then choose a suitable 'top' to go with it, and from there decide upon kilt hose colour, in order that the whole combo shall look at its best.
Here, I might be biased of my Scandinavian background, tending to keep things simple, meaning not too many different colours at the same time.