Vest and hose advice

[cruiser348]

As a kilt newbie and admitted victim of the dreaded matchy matchy disease I present a couple of questions to the rabble.
I am looking for a vest to wear with my kilt when I attend events that require a little nicer attire than what I currently have. It will be worn with a Mackay modern kilt. Primarily, it will be worn to events where the rest of the people in attendance will be wearing clothing ranging from khakis with polos to dress slacks and shirts; so it doesn't need to be something overally formal.
I would like the advice from those here concerning color options as well as vendors. The budget available is very tight, and I would perfer to deal with a US vendor so as to save on international shipping rates.
Also, I am looking for color options for new hose and flashes to wear with this kilt. I would like suggestions in both solid color as well as diced.
Sorry for the long winded post but wanted to be sure I give enough information.

[Zardoz]

Uniformal Wearhouse is a good source for inexpensive vest options and colors;
http://www.uniformalwearhouse.com/apages/servests1.html

And being able to color-coordinate is not a disease

[cruiser348]

Thanks for the link. The prices are certainly inline with what I was looking for, and having a suitable vest will keep me looking good until I find a suitable jacket to attempt a conversion.

[Spartan Tartan]

For hose, you could link to any of the advertisers at the top of the page. I would select complimentary colors to those in your kilt. Perhaps the colors of the thinner stripes rather than the dominant color.

I happen to like the machy-matchy. Too much is too much, I can agree. But I wouldn't purposefully choose some hideous hose just to prove I do NOT have matchy syndrome. It may be difficult to match colors, so anything in the general color class would compliment well.

[davidlpope]

Hose, Daywear: Lovat Blue, Lovat Green, Bottle Green, Dark Red/Claret

I'm a big fan of the House of Cheviot hose. The best I've found, though, is the hose from Almost Unwearoutable Kilt Hose. Pricey, but you only need a couple pairs that will last.

Hose, Evening: Diced Red/Black, Red/Green, Red/White
House of Cheviot offers these in off the shelf versions. Good quality/value for price. As above, you only need one good pair.

Consider saving your pennies and buying a tweed jacket/waistcoat combination. You can always wear the waistcoat alone. Also, consider a five button tartan waistcoat. You could make it do double-duty with a Sherrifmuir for formal events.

I've had really good experiences with Matt Newsome of the STM and Rocky Roeger from USA Kilts.

Best of luck.

[room2ndfloor]

I am looking for a vest to wear with my kilt when I attend events that require a little nicer attire than what I currently have. It will be worn with a Mackay modern kilt. Primarily, it will be worn to events where the rest of the people in attendance will be wearing clothing ranging from khakis with polos to dress slacks and shirts; so it doesn't need to be something overally formal.
.

Have you thought about a knitted sweater-vest? With a Celtic-style textured stitch, such as cables or moss stitch, this could be very effective with a kilt.

I made one, in a heathery teal color, for my sweetheart:



Take a look in a thrift shop and see if there is such a sweater-vest, or perhaps a whole sweater where you could remove the sleeves and bind off the armholes.

[Nighthawk]

Have you thought about a knitted sweater-vest? With a Celtic-style textured stitch, such as cables or moss stitch, this could be very effective with a kilt.

I made one, in a heathery teal color, for my sweetheart:



Take a look in a thrift shop and see if there is such a sweater-vest, or perhaps a whole sweater where you could remove the sleeves and bind off the armholes.

I had the same thought. I have 2 nice sweater vests in Argyle style patterns. I bought them at J C Penny for like $50 each. They look spectacular.

As to hose, I love these:

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/hose_specialty.htm

I have a pair of the New Diamond in loden green. As with the others, they're a bit pricey, but save up- they're well worth the wait.

[Cowher]

I also will throw in some suggestions on hose. I have INCREDIBLE hose from USA Kilts. But they may be to hot for summer. Call Rocky because he will tell you available colors where the ecru is the only ones listed online. http://www.usakilts.com/store/cart.p...ct_detail&p=78

Kyle who is a XMarker known as KWD turned me on to a woman in Canada who knitted him some fantastic hose and some knitted flashes as well. I just pulled the trigger on some navy hose and claret flashes that will match my two kilts beautifully. They looked less bulky and therefor not so warm. I can't wait to see them.
http://www.cafeciza.com/11.html

[Korvyn]

Nice to see someone else wearing Mackay. I actually have found a couple at Yard sales. they are both suede and look rather well.

[cruiser348]

Nice to see someone else wearing Mackay. I actually have found a couple at Yard sales. they are both suede and look rather well.

Wearing Mackay was an easy choice since that was my grandmother's maiden name and she was the first member of her family not born in Scotland.

As far as hose looks like I'll be counting pennies for awhile to get what I want. Have seen a lot of nice options that are just out of reach at the moment. Not that you folks haven't made some good suggestions for vendors that have items of reasonable price but I keep bumping into my typical issue that limits choices; I wear a size 15 shoe and only a couple companies I've looked at offer hose in my size.

I do intend to get a proper argyle jacket and vest combo when the funds are available. The current vest is somewhat of a stop gap till that time arrives.

Hadn't considered the sweater vest option but given how well the kilt looks with a standard sweater this is a viable option. Will keep an eye out at the local thrift stores since I've missed the boat for now on sweater season at department stores. Would be too warm for wear this time of year but should make a good combo for holiday season wear.

Thanks all for your suggestions.