Hose: To Contrast, Complement and Harmonize

[Cygnus]

I say any colour goes - with the exception of white and ancient blue.

I'll echo AKScott in saying that I think tartan red might be a better choice (though the hose you posted would work, I'm just not a big fan of orange).

I'm a huge fan of yellow hose, so I'll recommend them as well.

[Tobus]

What do you think a good contrasting colour might be against this tartan?

Why not a Lovat green? It's not necessarily "contrasting" (if by contrasting, you mean absolutely screaming "I'm the diametric opposite of what you see above me"), but it's definitely a color that's not represented in the tartan. I think it would look nice and traditional.

Even better, a darker shade of brown.

Now then chaps you are beginning to worry me-----again! I am reading in this thread, disturbing comments like;"a little more dressy" and " this or that colour is not very flattering" and so on. Before long you will start talking about "matching" again! Not that any of this is earth shatteringly important, but I do think you are tending to put too much thought into your colour choice. Wear any colour you like(apart from white) and wear the first pair of hose, of any colour, that come to hand when getting togged up and get on with life!

I certainly cannot argue with you from the standpoint of "what the Scots do". I was simply stating my opinion on what looks good. And while I have learned to embrace, even enjoy the Scottish art of not matching, I still have hangups on putting certain colors in certain places. With the exception of traditional diced/Argyll/tartan hose that look "right" with the kilt, I just can't get past the notion that loud socks are cartoonish. It's just my personal sense of style, I suppose.

But on the subject, are loud solid-colored hose traditional? I am, of course, aware that patterned hose have been around in Scottish tradition for as long as they've been wearing hose, but off the top of my head, I can't think of any early examples of solid-colored hose that are in bright colors like red, yellow, purple, etc. When did this trend arrive on the scene, as it were?

I though I really wanted a pair of ancient red hose, but none of the 22 girls surveyed in my office thought it would work for me.

This. Listen to the women. They are why we dress to look good, even if we won't admit it! If the women don't fancy it, just say no!

[creagdhubh]

Now then chaps you are beginning to worry me-----again! I am reading in this thread, disturbing comments like;"a little more dressy" and " this or that colour is not very flattering" and so on. Before long you will start talking about "matching" again! Not that any of this is earth shatteringly important, but I do think you are tending to put too much thought into your colour choice. Wear any colour you like(apart from white) and wear the first pair of hose, of any colour, that come to hand when getting togged up and get on with life!

Well said Jock! I have fell victim to matching hose - not often, but it tends to happen at times (I try not to care too much about that finer point). Definitely not the way to go - check out my recent thread entitled, 2011 Kentucky Scottish Weekend.

To much my chagrin,

[creagdhubh]

I would do a yellow, mustard, tartan red, brick red, claret, or dusty pink in kilt hose with your mentioned tartan choice.

Slainte,

[M. A. C. Newsome]

But on the subject, are loud solid-colored hose traditional? I am, of course, aware that patterned hose have been around in Scottish tradition for as long as they've been wearing hose, but off the top of my head, I can't think of any early examples of solid-colored hose that are in bright colors like red, yellow, purple, etc. When did this trend arrive on the scene, as it were?

These hose, worn by the chief of the MacGregors, are in a red and green marl.


He told me they were knit by his grandmother. Sir Malcolm was born, I believe, in 1959, if that puts some context on how old the hose might be. So red hose are nothing all that new.

[Jock Scot]

I was trying to add a spot of lightheartedness into the technical mire and theory that some of you seem to be heading into. I just find it so hard to believe that grown men spend so much time discussing the finer points of kilt hose! LOL

Out of interest, diced hose (unless you are piper) are rarely worn as general day wear by the locals around here, solid colours are very much the norm. It is still quite unusual to see patterned hose tops too.

[Tobus]

I do like those hose, Matt! Because from a distance they look like a brown hue. They aren't garish at all.

[creagdhubh]

These hose, worn by the chief of the MacGregors, are in a red and green marl.


He told me they were knit by his grandmother. Sir Malcolm was born, I believe, in 1959, if that puts some context on how old the hose might be. So red hose are nothing all that new.

I have seen this photo before - hose are wonderfully smart!

[azwildcat96]

Out of interest, diced hose (unless you are piper) are rarely worn as general day wear by the locals around here, solid colours are very much the norm. It is still quite unusual to see patterned hose tops too.

Jock, I only own solid colored hose (and none of them are white). This is in part due to the high cost of diced, patterned, or other fancier options. It's nice to know that the solid colors are completely acceptable!

Would I like to invest in a nice pair of hand-knit? Sure, some day. But I don't have enough places or events to wear them, so right now it would just be a waste of money.

[Chirs]

I was trying to add a spot of lightheartedness into the technical mire and theory that some of you seem to be heading into. I just find it so hard to believe that grown men spend so much time discussing the finer points of kilt hose! LOL

Reading this thread I couldn't help but think that someone was going to pull down the drapery and fashion himself an outfit!!