Tie and flashes

[bikeolounger]

I've ordered a self-tie bow tie, but I'm told I may not see it for up to eight weeks. I have an event to attend toward the end of January, and would like to have the tie before then. I asked the merchant about flashes of the same tartan, but they don't offer tartan flashes--only solid color.

Without challenging that sartorial point, I'll mention that the tie and flashes would not likely be worn with a tartan kilt, but rather one of a solid-color, and that the tartan in question (Armstrong ancient) is chosen over the modern because the blue in it is close to that of a shirt I already own.

All that said, is there a quicker way to get the tie and flashes? I had in mind that if an x-marks member either worked in or was a neighbor to a shop that makes or sells such things, I could either order directly or have that neighbor buy and ship from on-hand inventory.

[James MacMillan]

If I was in your shoes, I'd order a 1/2 meter of your tartan, which should be able to be sent quickly, and sew up some for myself.

[TheKiltedWonder]

up to eight weeks? You'd think that if they could find a tartan self-tie bowtie they could hunt down a pir of tartan flashes as well...
You know the only Scottish Store near me, but good luck finding a place that can get it to you in time!

[McFarkus]

Matt Newsome has great solid color garters (the old way to do flashes) http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/garters.html. They are, IMHO, more comfortable than the flashes with elastic.

[bikeolounger]

I'm fully aware that what I want to do may not be what I get to do, nor be affordable (rush charges are usually anathematic for me). I also realize that part of it is simple bad luck of timing--I didn't decide what I wanted until too close to deadline.

Buying tartan locally is not easy--few places stock Armstrong ancient in tie-weight yardage. By the time I buy 1/2 yard of wool, at $75/yd, that's more than the tie will cost made-to-order. Add to that the time of learning how to make a tie or having one made locally...

I've not given up yet, but I'm not going to be depressed if I don't get it in time. I'll have it for next year.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

If by "self tie" you mean one you tie yourself, as opposed to one that is pre-tied, then you might want to check out Eade and Ravenscroft (find 'em on Google). As far as I know they only do black or white ties-- as these are "made to measure" you will have to give them your collar size (as well as your credit card details) and they will post if off airmail the same day. I find I usually receive my ties in 5-10 days.

[bikeolounger]

Thanks, MacMillan of Rathdown. I have a self-tie tartan tie coming (eventually) from Scotland House in Williamsburg VA. The nearest supplier of things Scottish (The Scotland Yard) had a four-in-hand tie of Armstrong Ancient on hand that is now mine as a fall-back position if the bow tie doesn't arrive in time for the intended event. They also had some Locharron kilt hose in the color I wanted, and a pair of plain Lovat blue flashes, so I have my backup plan in place.

On looking at flashes in tartan, I find the tartan is done on a smaller scale than what is used for neckwear, which in turn is on a smaller scale than used for a kilt, which is on a smaller scale (or appears to be) than what is used for scarves and blankets. I have an Armstrong Modern scarf, necktie (four-in-hand), and what remains of a shirt made for me when I was a bit lighter (that sadly has been attacked by moths in a time when I didn't realize I had a moth population problem). All weaves are done in different scales. For this reason, simply buying fabric would have been a bit tricky, although I didn't realize it when I started this thread. The tartan flashes I've seen advertised online, if they were in stock, would cost me nearly $50US--more than double what I am willing to pay. Unless I find them on special pricing somewhere, I'll deal with what I have.

[The Wizard of BC]

What you have run into bikeolounger is what we in the business call "The Great Tartan Stocking Conundrum"

There are simply too many Tartans for anybody to stock one of each weight, Composition and item of.

Even the big supply houses stock, on the shelf, bow-ties in the usual 5 or 6 most common Tartans in stock. All other Tartans are custom orders.

Flashes are the same. You usually have to order your flashes when you order your kilt so the dye lot is the same.

Any time you need to custom order a Tartan item it will take the same time as fabric. Usually 4-6 weeks.

About the Sett of fabric used in ties and flashes being different that that used in Kilts, it is because of the weight of the fabric. The thread count is exactly the same. Smaller yarns will yield lighter fabrics which equals smaller Setts. Some Tartans such as Black Watch are stocked by some weavers with 1/2 the tread count to give a smaller Sett but not all Tartans lend themselves to doing this.

Remember the acronym PPPPPPP "Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance".

[bikeolounger]

Steve,

Thank you for the insights on Setts! It makes sense to me.

I knew when I started this thread that getting what I really thought I wanted was unlikely. The poor planning in this case was not realizing what I wanted in time enough to get it at a reasonable price. It's more a case of bad luck than anything else at this point.

As a former retail bike shop guy, I fully understand (although on a somewhat smaller scale) the difficulties involved in having every tartan in stock, in many different weights. I know that finding a set of flashes ready to buy would be more a matter of luck at this point than anything else--this is why I also decided on my "fall-back" position as acceptable alternative.

As I've said already--I'm not angry, and certainly not angry at any retailer or group of retailers. Sure, I'm disappointed that I likely won't get what I want this time, but I'm okay with that being purely a function of timing. I have time to plan for next year, and hopefully will be able to afford a nicer kilt for next year instead of fretting over little stuff. I truly only dress up once or twice a year--save for a few job interviews over the last summer, I have worn a tie on average twice a year for the last eight years, and considered that too many times.