Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
With the greatest respect to all, I really cannot believe that anyone really takes all this time about the colour of a pair of socks! If you like the colour, then damn well wear them! Alright, I quite accept that kilt hose can be expensive and not every one wants,needs, or can afford a drawer full. I also fully accept that we all have personal preferences, but really, far too much is made of all this matching up, colour coding nonsense.
You have a point, M8, but in defence I'll say

1) I come from the Pipe Band scene where there's a lot more money involved... for example our band bought something like 60 or 70 pairs of matching hose to outfit both the Grade 3 and the Grade 1 bands.
The BBC filming both the Grade 1 Qualifying Round and the Grade 1 Finals of the World Pipe Band Championships, selling DVDs, and this year live streaming worldwide, has greatly increased the exposure of all the Grade 1 bands.
The numerous closeup shots of members of the various bands, the first year the BBC filmed "The Worlds", revealed many small problems in many of the bands' dress (mismatching cap badges, sporrans, flashes, neckties, etc) and in subsequent years all of the Grade 1 bands have gone to great lengths to have all their kit matched to perfection.
Because of all the money involved and the worldwide exposure, top pipe bands nowadays DO put a lot of thought into such things as hose colour.

2) by profession I'm an artist and I can't turn my "eye" on and off at will. I'm keenly aware of the way that hose colour affects the appearance of the kilt I'm wearing.

3) as a working piper I'm aware that my appearance is an important part of what my customers are paying for when they hire me for their event. So just any colour won't do... I have to present an attractive overall "look".