PC Color Questions

[wnblair]

Hello my name is David Blair & I’m new to the board. This month I’m going to my first Robert Burns Dinner in Milwaukee & I have a few questions for the group.

I’m getting a kilt made with the Wisconsin Tartan (Image Below), my question is what color hose should I wear & what kind of flashing to use? I’m going to wear a white tux shirt with black bow-tie with my PC jacket & regular black leather shoes (not the ones that lace up).

Also where can I get a pair of extra large hose? I have big calves & I have never been able to find socks that go over them to my knees.

Thank you

D.Blair

[Tim Little]

First, welcome to X Marks and happy new year!

To your question: No one will look askance if you wear cream-colored hose (though definitely not piper white!) with your PC outfit.

If I'm in "black tie" I wear black flashes (w. cream hose) as well. But that's just my somewhat conservative take. (My "formal" kilt is in Mackenzie modern, so the black comes from the tartan as well.)

You might see if your kiltmaker can either make or provide enough scrap for you to make your own tartan flashes. (This might be nice anyways.)

If you opt for a solid color hose other than cream, I'd go with black -- which you could "dress up" with either tartan flashes or, preferrably, a solid pulled from the tartan (either the red or yellow would work, I think).

I'd also think that matching "tartan" argyle hose would look pretty sharp, too, though this would likely be decidedly pricier that a solid color (cream or otherwise). Again, for flashes, I'd go with either red or yellow in this instance.

[pipesndrumsnun]

Welcome!

First, I vote for black hose without a doubt...looks classy!

Next, if you could get some matching flashes made along with your new kilt, that would be top notch! OR, any of the colors in the tartan would work.

As for larger size hose, do a search on the subject here at XMarks; lots of guys have talked about this same situation in the past...and I'm sure some of them will jump into the conversation shortly, but in the meantime, do the search for instant information!

[David Dalglish]

Off white or cream hose with a PC.

[WARPIPER]

Hello David, Fellow St Andrews member. The wisconsin taran has lots of black and I would wear black, although if you look at the Society web site at the photos of the Burns dinner you will see that both side of the hose color debate are common. But if you look at the kilt guide it recommends black. Myself I will be there in tartan hose.

[McMurdo]

Firstly from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Glad you're here.

To your questions I'd say the choice of hose colour is a personal one you may want to look at the Formal Thread here for some ideas. As for where to buy hose I'd say you should try the Scottish Tartan Museum here As I think Matt has large size hose, he is a member of the board and I'm sure he will be able to answer your questions once he sees this thread. Personally I'd wear hose that brings out colours of the tartan, or perhaps diced hose in Black and Red.

[piperdbh]

I might suggest green hose to match the green in your tartan. Seems like I read in Thompson's So You're Going to Wear the Kilt that colored hose are accpetable for formal wear. Maybe I'm wrong, since I haven't read that chapter in a while.
As far as needing large-calfed hose, there are several of us here who make kilt hose and would be willing to discuss that possibility with you. You might want to post a new thread about it and see what you come up with. Good luck and welcome aboard.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

In this colour order I'd opt for:

Dark burgundy/ yellow flashes
Dark green/ yellow flashes
Black/ red or yellow flashes
Red/yellow flashes
Yellow/ red or green flashes

Creme or white hose always look "rented", so I'd avoid those like the plague. I'm also not a big fan of tartan flashes-- they look too much like an "Arthur Daily" matching tie and hankie set-- you've got enough tartan with your kilt.

[ChattanCat]

With large calves, do not buy "Thistle" or "Gaelic Themes" they do not stretch but will work with a 15" calf.

[beloitpiper]

I've seen kilts made from the Wisconsin tartan, and I think navy blue look best. As far as flashes, either try to wear tartan or gray.

And if I can afford the tickets, I'll see you at the Burns Supper!