Flashes

[JSFMACLJR]

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[Highland Rogue]

I think it's more a matter of happenstance than one of personal taste. Most garter flashes have some type of elastic garter band that is worn under the overturn of the kilt-hose. Most of the kilt hose that I have worn are meant to have a 3-1/2" to 4" overturn (judging by the knitted pattern at the top of the hose). Now how long are the flashes on most garters? 5"? maybe 6" at the very most. So what happens when you correctly place the garters around your leg at the point wher the overturn of the hose folds over? With a 3-1/2" overturn covering 5" long garter flashes, you are left with a reaveal of only about 1-1/2" or garter (even less if the overturn of the hose is broad like the chequered ones worn by the Prince). So the people who you see walking around with 3" of garter hanging down below their 3-1/2" overturn hose must be wearing flashes that are in excess of 6 inches in length, or they are wearinging their garters too low in order to show off more garter flash. If they are pulled up to where they are supposed to be, you end up with a lot less garter flash showing.

[Phil]

Apart from castellated hose (which I don't own) I imagine the amount of flashes showing depends very much on the width of the turnover or cuff on the hose. Also with the more old-fashioned tied garters their length would dictate the amount showing I suppose. As I don't own castellated hose here is a photo -

[Riverkilt]

Maybe....but it sure does look like a "fashion look" of choice for these gentlemen.

An advantage of not having to worry about a longer flash catching on things or being "out of position"

The short flashes do have a very business-like look about them.

Ron

[Joseph McLaren]

It just seems like basic smartness and tidiness to me. Tidier than I usually bother to be, I might add, but then I'm neither a prince nor a chieftain! However, I seem to remember yesterday's picture of the 'Cock o' the North' from Keepers of the Kingdom had an extravagant length of spare yellow flash billowing from the eaves of his yellow hose. With that title though, I would expect a bit of Dandyism to be a prerequisite...

Two other things strike me:

why don't more people wear 'real' garters, as opposed to the false ones? They look better in my opinion, and for very little outlay raise an outfit a couple of notches above the norm.

Secondly, the chief, like the Prince, is an excellent advert for wearing a brown sporran with black shoes. It seems wrong at first, but with every new picture I'm more convinced of how great it looks.

[Highland Rogue]

Apart from castellated hose (which I don't own) I imagine the amount of flashes showing depends very much on the width of the turnover or cuff on the hose. Also with the more old-fashioned tied garters their length would dictate the amount showing I suppose. As I don't own castellated hose here is a photo -

Yikes! That fellow in the Royal Stewart kilt with the fancy hose is about to lose his sgian dubh! And someone seems to have stolen the buttons off the left side of Mr. Menzies' Prince Charlie Coatee.

[Highland Rogue]

Secondly, the chief, like the Prince, is an excellent advert for wearing a brown sporran with black shoes. It seems wrong at first, but with every new picture I'm more convinced of how great it looks.

Black shoes (usually a regular dress shoe and not ghillie brogues) are what is mostly worn with the kilt in Scotland by those who know how to wear it; although there is certainly nothing wrong with wearing brown shoes for daywear and casual occassions. But if you wear the kilt for both dressier and undress occassions, black shoes will get you by for both; brown shoes look out of place with more formal attire.

[Panache]

Interesting observations Sandford.

Apart from castellated hose (which I don't own) I imagine the amount of flashes showing depends very much on the width of the turnover or cuff on the hose.

I'm with Phil. To me there is a certain correct proportion of hose cuff to ribbon that looks right so I vary how I wear my flashes depending on what hose I am wearing.

What seems to me most common is to wear one's flashes rather long while I like only 2" in most cases.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[JSFMACLJR]

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[Jock Scot]

I am with the Prince of Wales on this. I also note with some satisfaction that the Prince does not appear wear tartan flashes either. I hasten to add, that how we wear our flashes, or not, is entirely down to personal choice.