How Formal Are Garter Ties?

[Cygnus]

As I shop around for kilts and accessories, I find myself drawn more and more away from the "ribbon-style" flashes and toward traditional garter ties. I think I've arrived at the point that I wouldn't mind skipping the flashes altogether and including only garter ties in my wardrobe.

However, I've only seen garter ties worn with daywear; is this just coincidence or is there an anti-garter-tie sentiment where evening wear is concerned?

Thank you!

[davidlpope]

The most formal style of hose are diced or argyll hose with castellated tops which are worn for black tie/ white tie events. Because these hose do no have a "foldover", they must be worn with garter ties, which are visible on the outside of the hose. Based on that, I think we can safely say that garter ties can be worn for any occasion, formal or casual.

Here's a link to Ian Sherwood's website with a good photo of P/M Roger Huth which depicts this style:

http://www.cuillinn.com/kilts.html

Cordially,

David

[Cygnus]

Thank you, David!

After posting this I also decided to peruse the gallery at Albanach.org and found plenty of photos of Matt Newsome wearing garter ties with black tie dress.

Looks like I will be skipping the garter flashes and focusing solely on the (in my opinion) more attractive garter ties.

Thanks again!

[Riverkilt]

Crack me up!! I do so love this board!! Visions of the Kilt Police thumbing through their manuals trying to figure this one out.

I've no clue what the Kilt Police Manual says but in my most isolated world garter ties are just fine for day OR evening wear for me. Whatever floats everyone else's boat is just fine too.

I often have questions about my tartan flashes - "what are those swatches on your sox for" was the last one. I don't ever recall a "what are those for?" question about garter ties - the use seems obvious.

Garter ties look great with formal gear. I wound up investing in a rainbow of the colors and happily find one can create some interesting color links with other parts of the turnout using a color one might not ordinarily select. Have fun!!!

[artificer]

Cygnus, I too am really drawn to the tie rather than the flash.

I can just see it, Riverkilt, a tie rack full of garter ties

[Tobus]

I think I've arrived at the point that I wouldn't mind skipping the flashes altogether and including only garter ties in my wardrobe.

That's exactly what I've done. Aside from being more traditional, they just look better in my opinion. Now that I've got several different colors of garter ties, I just can't find it in myself to put flashes back on.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Garter ties are as formal as shoe laces. As David Pope has pointed out, they can be worn day or night, casual or formal.

[Standard]

I see that Matt is offering garter ties, are there any other reputable folks out there who offer these? I tried in vain to find a pair at the Highland Games in Oakbrook two weekends ago. I'd certainly like to give them a try, they look infinately more comfortable than elastic cutting into my leg, and the fact that they are more traditional is good too.

[BoldHighlander]

I see that Matt is offering garter ties, are there any other reputable folks out there who offer these? I tried in vain to find a pair at the Highland Games in Oakbrook two weekends ago. I'd certainly like to give them a try, they look infinately more comfortable than elastic cutting into my leg, and the fact that they are more traditional is good too.

Keltoi.

[creagdhubh]

Interesting discussion gents,

I love both styles of garters and wear them interchangeably depending on my mood. I currently own just about every solid colour in the traditional garter ties (made by House of Cheviot), and own every colour in the Lochcarron "double" or "deluxe" flashes, which come with an adjustable elastic band (no velcro). The elastic band will not dig into your leg and cause discomfort if it is adjusted correctly from the moment they are put on.

I tend to wear the traditional garters with my solid coloured hose (with or without a patterened turnover) that are made by House of Cheviot, and not my flashes. I wear both my standard hose from Lochcarron, as well as my fully-fashioned tartan hose in the Argyll pattern, with my Lochcarron flashes. I don't like the look of the traditional garters (with the fringed/loose ends) with my evening hose, but that is only my opinion.

I have seen interesting styles of various traditional garters, particularly worn by Scottish Regiments, that are very ornate with superb looking knots and elongated "tails", most of which tend to look like they were made of either silk, wool, or grosgrain. These style of garters did not have the fringed/loose ends, rather a more "finished" look, similar to the style of modern flashes.

Kind regards,