Flashes or Garters

**Tobus** · 23rd July 12, 06:47 AM

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.

This is it for me too. I just like the old-school method of tying a garter instead of buckling an elastic thingy. It seems phony to me, like wearing a clip-on tie. I honestly don't understand why the native Scots have migrated to elastic bands and flashes, when other parts of the kilt have stayed so traditional and authentic.

But yes, either one (garters or flashes) are perfectly acceptable. It's just down to personal taste.

**Cecil** · 23rd July 12, 08:11 AM

Thanks for pointing out Scotweb. I have been checking all the sites out and its a little over powering to keep up with all this new stuff.

**lukeyrobertson** · 23rd July 12, 11:41 AM

I do it all. Tie Garters, Flashes and neither, just a sewn elastic waistband to hold up the hose. I like them all. I tend to show only an inch two of flashes/garters. I like a "flash" of colour, not too much of them showing.

**Chas** · 23rd July 12, 11:45 AM

Each to their own, but I have never worn tartan flashes. To me they look a bit rental.

Regards

Chas

**Jock Scot** · 24th July 12, 04:06 AM

I really do honestly think that many of you are over-thinking all this and are adding a "snooty" angle that really does not exist. However, if we insist on going down the "snooty path", I think those that consider that flashes are "rental" need to take a look at what the Duke of Rothesay(Prince Charles), or the Scottish Regiments wear(yes I know, we are talking about civilian wear) and have been doing so for a very long time.

Wear what suits you-----within the kilted parameters------ by all means, but please let us not create yet another myth that will drag us into yet another pointless and seemingly endless morass of ill-informed discussion. Or, heaven forbid, discussions.

**xman** · 24th July 12, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

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

My sentiments exactly.

**longhuntr74** · 24th July 12, 09:23 AM

Since you mention it, Jock, how does HRH ensure that he always has exactly 1CM of red exposed below his cuff. The size of the cuffs on my kilt hose tend to vary greatly! I'm assuming that his flashes are long pieces wool mohair braid that he loops over the top of his elastic garter and adjusts to the proper length for his cuff?? But that's just my guess...

**Jock Scot** · 24th July 12, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

Since you mention it, Jock, how does HRH ensure that he always has exactly 1CM of red exposed below his cuff. The size of the cuffs on my kilt hose tend to vary greatly! I'm assuming that his flashes are long pieces wool mohair braid that he loops over the top of his elastic garter and adjusts to the proper length for his cuff?? But that's just my guess...

I have no idea, but I suspect a combination of "bespoke", "staff", "knowledge" and "money" has a lot to do with it.

**ScotFree** · 24th July 12, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I have no idea, but I suspect a conbination of "bespoke", "staff", "knowledge" and "money" has a lot to do with it.

<chuckes to himself> Indeed.

**sadkingbilly** · 24th July 12, 12:28 PM

Just wanted to say "thanks!" for the post office elastic bands tip. I don't really like flashes and garters but do, of course, want to keep my hose where they belong