Scots have a propensity toward mixing patterned tweeds, tattersall shirts, regimental striped ties with the kilt with abandon, something many of us this side of the big pond find troubling, having been raised with certain rules of dress ingrained into us from childhood----no stripes with checks, no mixing checks/plaids, generally solids below the waist and patterns above, all things in moderation..... It becomes tough when kilted because the whole thought process is inverted and confused, with the kilt being the center of attention of your attire while also being treated as "just another pair of trousers or jeans". How often are your pants/trousers the center of your attire's focus?

Bearing that dissonant dichotomy in mind, I personally find limiting one's palette of colors to be preferred, with the majority of that palette starting with the kilt's primary and secondary colors, and a small array of supporting cast. I like relatively subtle patterns for for tweeds, like herringbone or windowpane, as they compete least with most tartans. Patterns can be brought into your dress shirt with tattersall, but I prefer more subtle and less conflicting pin stripe colored shirts or non-bright colored oxford cloth stripes (grey, navy, burgundy, olive) that look like a solid color from a few feet away but add color texture when seen up close. Personally, I have problems wearing regimental striped ties----just do not feel they look right on me----so I generally stick to relatively subtle patterns on solid background colors that usually pull something color wise from the kilt. Hose can be troubling, but I stick to solids mostly, usually pulling a color from the kilt, or a pattern top if the pattern colors do not clash with the kilt and the patterns are not too bold as to draw the eye from the kilt tartan. Diced and tartan hose I try to reserve for dressy occasions, and while tartan hose should match your kilt IMHO, diced hose may either match or contrast with the kilt colors, although personally I prefer those that match at least to some degree.

A few small tidbits: less is more, try mixing textures rather than colors or patterns (tweeds, silk tie, wool or cotton sweaters, patterned hose), solid color items can have patterns in them to add variety, remember that you will look best if YOU are comfortable and confident in what you are wearing----otherwise you are just posing, even to yourself. Lastly, I dress myself in clothes and color combos I choose myself, with little if any input from my better half, especially since she does not really like me kilted anyway. I trust my fashion judgement, although do take some advice from others whose style and thoughts I trust.

One man's thoughts of what works for me. Good luck,