Flashes or Garters

[longhuntr74]

Functionally, I don't distinguish between the two...they both hold my hose up and neither is more comfortable than the other. I, personally, find ties a bit more casual than flashes as a general rule and tend to wear my garter ties for more casual daywear, etc.

I'm considering making or buying some "flashes" for more formal wear. I have ones that match my kilt...but never wear them. I also have some that I made from cotton webbing, but think they look kinda cheap. Where flashes are concerned, I'm not a fan of matching tartan ones...and I'm even less of a fan of grosgrain ribbon ones...they both look "pretendish" to me...but wool mohair tape...that's another story. I'm considering ordering some nice wool mohair tape to make a set with multiple loops like some of the regiments have used in the past...in red of course (traditional color).

[Riverkilt]

I started out buying matching flashes with every kilt. Depending on who make them the elastic may be wide or narrow - the maximum length varies. After I tried garter ties I found I prefer them for COMFORT. I do have to double check the length of the garter ties I order.

For me, its garter ties based on COMFORT.

[Zardoz]

I'll have to offer a dissenting point of view, I don't care for the garter ties with turndown hose because they are lumpy under the turnover. They are fine worn outside castellated type hose.
Me, I like elastic flashes just fine, and have many different colors and styles on hand. I do often change out the elastic on them for some that's a little longer and wider for comfort, due to my big calves.

[English Bloke]

... 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...

The only people I've seen wearing garter ties in Scotland, other than me, are Kiltlies who are members of this forum. They are not common. I wear both and neither as the mood takes. I probably wear flashes or neither more often but only 'cause it's quicker and I'm idle. I tend to lean towards solid colour flashes more than tartan although I also have several kilts with matching flashes .

... like redundant windsocks on a deserted airfield ...

Great analogy Jock...

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I would not say either one is more formal or appropriate than the other. They are both fine.

Myself, I wear the self-tie garters almost exclusively. My reasons are comfort, but also because the experience of tying my own garters seems somehow more "genuine" to me than using elastic. After all, I tie my own shoes, I tie my own neck tie, bow tie, etc. Tying my own garter knot seems to fall into the same category.

That's how I feel, I certainly don't look down upon anyone who prefer the elastic garters with flashes. They look smart, too. I recommend, though, a good solid color., and a quality woven ribbon. I have never liked the look of tartan garters, nor garters made from cheap-looking ribbon.

[Cecil]

Where is a good place to get these self tie garters? Just getting started I need all the help I can get. Thanks

[Sir William]

I would not say either one is more formal or appropriate than the other. They are both fine.

Myself, I wear the self-tie garters almost exclusively. My reasons are comfort, but also because the experience of tying my own garters seems somehow more "genuine" to me than using elastic. After all, I tie my own shoes, I tie my own neck tie, bow tie, etc. Tying my own garter knot seems to fall into the same category.

That's how I feel, I certainly don't look down upon anyone who prefer the elastic garters with flashes. They look smart, too. I recommend, though, a good solid color., and a quality woven ribbon. I have never liked the look of tartan garters, nor garters made from cheap-looking ribbon.

I'm in 100% agreement with Matt. I like the hand-tied garters and wear them almost exclusively for both casual and formal occasions.

[ScotFree]

Where is a good place to get these self tie garters? Just getting started I need all the help I can get. Thanks

One great source would be the Scottish Tartan Museum Gift Shop.

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/garter_ties.html

If you like the two tone fringed ones, I found them at ScotWeb, a listed vendor here on the site.

http://www.scotweb.co.uk/products/classic-garter-ties/

I like these a lot. I just recently ordered the green and mustard ones. They're great folks to deal with.

I've also ran across these, but I've never dealt with these people.

http://www.logsdailclassic.com/categ...Classic-Socks/

If I remember correctly, somebody was offering a pack of 4 colors in either bright modern or muted ancient tones, but I'll be goll darned if I can remember who. Perhaps somebody has a better memory than I.

[Cygnus]

I like both varieties, for different reasons. The garter ties are nice because they are comfortable, look a bit different from what people usually expect, and are what the elastic garters and flashes are meant to represent. Elastic garters don't leave lumps under the rolled-down cuff and, due to their construction, give a more perfectly symmetrical look than the self-tie garters. That's why my opinion is that elastic garters and flashes are "more formal" - they carry the "sleekness" of the formal jacket or doublet down to the hose.

Having said that, I'm also a fan of castellated hose, which are quite formal but require a self-tie garter...

[FatherWilliam57]

If I remember correctly, somebody was offering a pack of 4 colors in either bright modern or muted ancient tones, but I'll be goll darned if I can remember who. Perhaps somebody has a better memory than I.

I believe you are referring to the Bisley Garter Sets. They do come in two sets of four (bright and subdued). Just do a Google search or check on eBay. I recently purchased both sets for myself. I have what I consider short legs for the size of my feet. With regular garter ties, I have a huge "lump" from the knot, since I have to fold the tops of my hose several times. I prefer the look of ties to flashes and I have found these garter sets to be just the ticket.