Kilt Hose Advice/Opinions for New Kilt

[YoungMan]

I've recently commissioned a tank in Young M (let's not talk too much about that, I'm trying to keep the jones down). The real question I wan't to ask is what kind of hose colors should I look at? I wouldn't have started pondering with so many months to go, but the Scottish Tartans Museum has Lewis Hose on sale for 21% off! Have to strike when the iron is hot.

My thoughts so far:
Navy or Bottle Green: main colors of the tartan

Brick Red / Claret:
I like the idea of a nice dark red under any tartan, regardless of color. BUT, I'm unsure whether I think the brick will be dark enough. I'd like to avoid the blinding red Christmas look.

WOULD LIKE YOUR THOUGHTS/ADVICE/OPINIONS!
I've include some pictures of tartan below.

The computer generated swatch from Tartan Ferret.


Some Youngs at the bar.


As closeup as I could get of the actual milled tartan under light.


And a closeup up of the weathered, bc why not.

[Paul Henry]

I'm sure it won't help your jonesing, sorrym but I recently completed a Young Modern for a client, and I have lots of pictures of it here are a few to annoy you!!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Ok, bottle green and navy blue are obvious choices, but here are some other considerations:

St. Andrews blue would really bring out the light blue stripes
Ditto with purple.
Yellow would not look bad.
And to answer your question about the brick red vs. the claret, my vote is for the claret if you want a darker, not as "in your face red" look.

[fluter]

Ok, bottle green and navy blue are obvious choices, but here are some other considerations:

St. Andrews blue would really bring out the light blue stripes
Ditto with purple.
Yellow would not look bad.
And to answer your question about the brick red vs. the claret, my vote is for the claret if you want a darker, not as "in your face red" look.

... however, the brick red would be a nice touch for evening wear!

Lovat green is an all-time favorite for daytime, usually with red garters.

[Tobus]

Brick Red / Claret:
I like the idea of a nice dark red under any tartan, regardless of color. BUT, I'm unsure whether I think the brick will be dark enough. I'd like to avoid the blinding red Christmas look.

I agree. Bright red hose look ...weird to me. And for some reason they tend to accentuate wide calves, making them look bulbous, if that's a concern to you. I think you're on the right path in thinking of a darker red color. But even that might be a little too much (it would to me, anyway). What about a dark green or blue hose with red in the turnover? Either a solid red cuff, or a patterned cuff that has red in the pattern. There are many options out there for getting some red below the kilt (aside from the garters) but without having to go all-out with solid red hose.

Balance is a good thing.

[Freelancer]

I would go with the claret. IMO, a sharper more interesting combination then the obvious blues or greens.

[creagdhubh]

I'd go with any colour except for black or white. I like hose that don't necessarily match the tartan precisely, though I tend to wear them in that manner at times, which is perfectly acceptable. I like to "branch out" at times and try new colour combination's.

[Elf]

Yes, bringing out a minor colour is great. I often think of hose from a different perspective. What colour is your jacket (or shirt if no jacket)? Coordinating the upper body and the hose can help frame the kilt. Following this guideline, the hose I wear are not always the same for a given kilt. Experiment a little, and don't be afraid to have different ideas after a little "break in period."

[tyger]

I agree with Matt, that a color that echos a minor color in the tartan will accent the kilt in toto.

My personal choice would be yellow/mustard, second choice blue. Get both! Get four, really, at that price why not?

[HeathBar]

I prefer something along the lines of the lovats, blue or green, for daywear. Claret would be nice during the day as well. For evening wear, if you don't go diced or tartan, red or yellow would look nice. And red garters or flashes would match nearly any color hose.