question about flashes

[Taskr]

My Cape Breton kilt maker suggested both solid and tartan (which they provided with the kilt), the latter for perhaps the more formal occasion. So far, the tartan are the only ones I have and so the only ones I've worn.

[The Wizard of BC]

Most agree that the Tartan flashes began to appear as an extra when you ordered a 'kilt package' from one of the large internet sellers.
So that would put the time frame at 'within the past 20 years'.

We do not see Tartan flashes much before that. Very few of the older catalogs show Tartan flashes.

The more common colors are Red, Yellow, Green and Blue. These are the colors offered by most kilt shops.

Of course flashes hanging from elastic are a fairly recent development. They are supposed to look like the ends hanging down from traditional tied garters.

If you got Tartan flashes, as part of the package when you bought your kilt, then why not wear them?
But to buy Tartan flashes that are not cut from the same fabric as your kilt is one of those "why bother" situations.

If matching is the whole idea behind having Tartan flashes, you really need them to be made from the same fabric as the kilt as the dye lots may be different, the fabric may be different and/or the size of the Tartan pattern may be completely different.

[Just Hugh]

I think it was undiplomatic of a sales person to comment on your request, however, I agree that the tartan flashes are "a bit much."

I also roll my flashes because I think the solid flashes standard length is "a bit much." So, you can take that as a personal preference for subtle flashes.

Outside of this site, I'd never comment about it.

[California Highlander]

I have a few kilts that I have been wearing for some time and I have always used tartan flashes so far so good. To day I walked in to a highland wear shop and inquired to if they had any Black Watch tartan flash. the young girl whom I was causing some great distress looked at me and send we only have solid color and then with great horror she asked why would you want a tartan flash! I knew it best to leave before she got my Scotty side up and she noo gona understand a word id be yelling at her. well I felt as though id stepped in something soft. How do the brethren see it tartan or color.

The reaction seems a bit extreme. At my local shop, they carry solid flashes. The reason? They can match most kilts. Tartan flashes would require far too many varieties in stock to match all the kilt variations out there.

[bwat]

How do the brethren see it tartan or color.

Anything but tartan. I've got three pairs of tartan flashes gathering dust. One was bought as part of my first kit for a big event and I had no other option. I hadn't been in a kilt for 20 years so I was pretty much a neophyte but Iinstinctively knew that tartan flashes felt a bit iffy to me and when I got home I did some surfing and discovered solid colour flashes on ebay. The other two pairs were free gifts to keep me happy when a company slightly messed up an order. The current status is that all three are unworn and gathering dust.

Other than that, I think that lass sounds more like a "sales assistant" than a "shop worker". Wish I lived near a highland outfitters with staff like that. Actually I wish I lived near a highland outfitter.

I wouldn't say no to Grizzly's hand knitted flashes. They're very very nice.

[Mike_Oettle]

While flashes sewn onto garters might be an entirely new thing, I certainly wore flashes with my army kilt outfit (first issued to me in 1969).
Personally my preference is for solid-colour flashes. I have a pair in tartan that I rarely wear, but I much prefer being able to choose something more exactly suited to the outfit I am wearing.
Regards,
Mike

[imrichmond]

While flashes sewn onto garters might be an entirely new thing,

They aren't really all that new; they were the commonly-used form of flashes when I was a kid back in the 1950s and they were certainly in general use long before that. I would estimate that they have been in common use for at least the past 80-90 years.

My preference is certainly for solid-colour flashes. I have them in red, green, burgundy, ancient blue, navy blue, and black and select them according to the outfit I'm wearing, the nature of the event, and sometimes the mood I'm in. I've always felt that tartan flashes were over the top, akin to wearing tartan épaulettes or sliders. Also, I find that most tartan flashes are far too long.

[Sir Didymous]

First off, as a fair warning; I have a well noted eccentric sense of fashion. Now on to the point:
There is a fairly high number of people on here that are very staunch as to what is considered traditional. That is a good thing and I applaud them and their very dignified approach to kilted attire. Most of those who fall into this category would say that tartan flashes are over the top, unnecessary, and so on. The nice thing is that the rabble on here is, for the greater part, polite enough not to knock a person for a difference of opinion. In more contemporary modes of dress, at least those that involve tartan kilts, matching flashes aren't required, but are acceptable and even liked by some. The same is true with tartan neck ties. I like both, flashes and ties. I own three pair of tartan flashes to match three of my kilts, but I don't wear them often. It's not because I don't like them or anything; I just like to coordinate my solid flashes with the other parts of my outfit and allow the overall look to complement the kilt. Occasionally though, I like working in the opposite direction and showcase the kilt by using matching flashes or neck tie. That is the style used by the Ferguson clan chief who wears a matching tie in many photos.

[ScottishStuart]

I'll throw my opinion in on tartan flashes too. I feel that it all depends on the tartan, colour of hose and the occasion you are wearing the flashes to whether they are suitable. Tartan Flashes can give a nice 'flash' of colour on lighter hose (cream, white etc.) but can sometimes be lost on darker hose. This again depends on the tartan in question, so its really down to each individual case in my opinion, some will match an outfit, some might not.

In terms of the historical significance of flashes, I have heard stories that they were worn (or not worn) at social occasions back in the day to state the availability of the gentlemen wearing them. I have struggled to find any sources of this tale, I wonder if anyone here had heard about flashes being used in courting?

[Tasty Rabbit]

I got matching flashes with my first kilt & they look great . I have noticed though that tartan with a larger pattern doesn't really stand out on something the size of a flash . I've been going with solid or no flashes also - it all depends on how I feel that day .