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?