Flashes or Garters

**ScotFree** · 22nd July 12, 12:10 PM

I've been pondering the flashes vs. hand tie garters question and seek the rabble's opinion.

Are garters dressier than flashes?
Do you think they look better?
Do you think I'm obsessing over naught? OK not obsessing, but curious ...
Are they appropriate for casual wear?
Any questions about them I forgot to ask (LOL)?

I've done my concerted search, but due to lack of existence, or my ineptitude, I found nothing on the relative merits of either. So if this has been covered, I apologize in advance and would be grateful to be pointed in the right direction.

tapadh leibh

**Jock Scot** · 22nd July 12, 12:33 PM

If you like either, then wear them, if you don't, then don't. However they are handy to keep your kilt hose up and tidy
and some including me, on occasion, just use Post Office elastic bands with no flappy things(the flash componant) for that purpose. Some say the self tie garters are more comfortable than the elastic flashes, but in truth its down to personal choice.

In passing, somehow the idea has come about that the self tie garter is smarter and more traditional for kilt hose----historically accurate for sure, for long hose in general------, but all I can say is, flashes are worn far more commonly in Scotland with kilt hose and have done for a very long time---with the flash things not flapping about like redundant windsocks on a deserted airfield either. Just an inch/inch and a half poking out is just fine.

**brewerpaul** · 22nd July 12, 12:34 PM

Some here dont even care for flashes or ties. Myself I have both but prefer garter ties. Having big calves I make my own. I can mix colors and such and have them wearable with different kilt, kilt hose and shirt color combinations. My flashes match the tartans so occasionally I wear them. My preference is garter ties because I like the way they look. Here is the thread I had on the garter ties I make. Most are solid color but there are some that have multiple colors in the fringe.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ion-1-a-72059/

**guardsman** · 22nd July 12, 12:38 PM

thought ties could still have fabric flashes, silly me. I do think a bit of fabric under sock can set a kilt up nice, but rolled down socks and boots look good to , do what you like!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Father Bill** · 22nd July 12, 12:40 PM

I prefer garter ties, but that's a personal preference. The flashes look "pretendish" to me.

**knotty** · 22nd July 12, 01:51 PM

Ties or Flashes? Hmm
I prefer the look of ties. I find that it kind of mimics the swish of the kilt. The added bonus is that I can buy 1 inch webbing in many colors to fit my larger calves for about $8.
I will admit that when I want to dress more formally, I do wear tabs to match the kilt.

Craig

**B R Gordon** · 22nd July 12, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

I prefer garter ties, but that's a personal preference. The flashes look "pretendish" to me.

My sentiments exactly.

**ScotFree** · 22nd July 12, 02:58 PM

[QUOTE=brewerpaul;1110461]Some here dont even care for flashes or ties. Myself I have both but prefer garter ties. Having big calves I make my own. I can mix colors and such and have them wearable with different kilt, kilt hose and shirt color combinations. My flashes match the tartans so occasionally I wear them. My preference is garter ties because I like the way they look. Here is the thread I had on the garter ties I make. Most are solid color but there are some that have multiple colors in the fringe.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ion-1-a-72059/[/QUOTE

Wow, those are fantastic. Thanks for pointing me to that page.

Personally I'm developing a taste for garter ties myself. I have a pair on order and will see how much I like them in fact.

**Standard** · 22nd July 12, 03:15 PM

Over the past year or so I've switched to garter ties. To me they are much more comfortable, and I really like the looks of them. I need to get a couple of more colours, but at this point only have red ones which seem to go with just about everything.

**sailortats** · 22nd July 12, 04:51 PM

I have and wear both flashes and garter ties. When I first got the ties I wore them when more formally dressed and saved the flashes for casual wear. But now I find I have reversed that and wear the ties when informal. Once whichever it is I am wearing is on and I am about my business I cannot tell the difference, they both feel the same to me.
When I am part of a color guard I always wear the flashes that match my kilt.
The only objection I have to the ties is that they create a bulge under the turn down on my hose but this certainly doesn't stop me from wearing them.