Matching tartan flashes?

**Tenmiles** · 14th March 15, 01:48 PM

I expect that this question has already been raised and discussed elsewhere, but my cursory search of the forums (before I hit the wall of laziness) didn't turn up what I was looking for.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that tartan flashes are not generally standard for formal (black tie) dress.
I am curious how strict a rule this is. Would wearing matched (to my kilt) tartan flashes in a formal wedding party be considered a faux-pas?
(bear in mind as well, that the wedding party is likely to be renting their outfits, and the members have the leeway to choose their own tartan of preference).

**sydnie7** · 14th March 15, 01:58 PM

Wear what you like. Many of our best professional kilt makers supply matching tartan flashes with bespoke kilts. You may also choose to wear a plain color flash, or none at all. Whichever you choose, I'd suggest you adjust the length so that a mere inch or so peeks out from beneath the hose cuff -- avoiding what one August member of this forum calls the "windsock effect"

**Tenmiles** · 14th March 15, 02:09 PM

Thank you! I did expect to minimize their presence anyway; as I've read than in some time past, they were sometimes an indicator of a young man's availability, and I have been happily unavailable for some 24 years, and have no wish to advertise to the contrary.

**Liam** · 14th March 15, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Tenmiles

Thank you! I did expect to minimize their presence anyway; as I've read than in some time past, they were sometimes an indicator of a young man's availability, and I have been happily unavailable for some 24 years, and have no wish to advertise to the contrary.

That's a new one to me....I wonder what I've been advertising...

**Dughlas mor** · 14th March 15, 02:20 PM

It depends on who you ask. In Traditional Highland Civilian Dress (THCD) circles, it just isn`t done. Others think they look great. I don`t care for them myself. I agree with sydnie7 about the length, I think that is probably more important than whether or not they are tartan.

**davidlpope** · 14th March 15, 02:39 PM

I don't fancy them.

**The Wizard of BC** · 14th March 15, 03:20 PM

You do see on some website the myth that wearing or not wearing flashes shows your marital status or your availability. Pure myth and mirrors.

And Tartan flashes are actually a very new thing that only came about by the larger kilt companies trying to set their product apart from the rest.
There are many of the same companies who sell the "Kilt Packages" of everything head to toe. What here on X Marks has been dubbed "The cookie cutter look".

The kilt maker has the small left over pieces of fabric from the waistband and the cut-outs from the pleats. "Hey, we can make money off of the waste instead of throwing it in the trash. Why not make something from this waste and sell it? Or better yet offer the thing we make with our kilt package deals and the customer will think they are getting something special and free. We don't have to tell them that they already paid for that fabric."

Flashes are actually a simulation of the ends of traditional tied Garters. And you don't see tied Garters in Tartan matching the Tartan of the kilt do you?

I like to think of flashes as that little splash of color in your outfit. I don't normally wear flashes for day to day wear. I will wear dark red or dark gold flashes for dress up affairs but I do not own and do not wear Tartan flashes.

**Laurence** · 19th April 15, 01:59 AM

LOL! omg! You mean flashes are not official? I'm crushed! It's all new to me, thanks for the insight!

**AFS1970** · 19th April 15, 09:24 PM

I have had two sets of tartan flashes, I still have one. I have found that they do not hold up very well. Worse in both cases than the kilt itself made from the same material. I rarely wear them. I am not a fan of these flashes for the reason that they just don't seem to last.

I have one set of solid black flashes that are I guess sort of a hybrid in terms of how they are made. They are a woven ribbon, but too wide for traditional flashes. The sides are folded over and either sewn or ironed onto a stiffer piece of backing. These are really durable but far less flexible than all my others.

I have a few others that are made out of ribbon, that appears to be nylon grosgrain, they hold up well but have a tendency to curl up if not stored carefully.

**ASinclair** · 14th March 15, 03:22 PM

Tenmiles, if you (or your significant other) like the look of tartan flashes, by all means wear them. You will not be breaking any rules. I don't really care for them myself, but I have worn them on occasion because my sweetie (carolinanan117) made them for me and she likes them. Usually, I wear the red flashes she made for me.