Received my kilt made in my clan's tartan

[Jock Scot]

Please elaborate on "traditional style". those appear to match the tartan, is that not traditional? are you referring to the red/green solid colors?
thanks for any education on the topic! B.

Short answer, tartan flashes are not traditional.

Something else to avoid, is the "dreaded windsock effect". Too much of the flashes/garters flapping about is best avoided. An inch, perhaps an inch and a half poking out below the hose turn over gives the best effect.

[Profane James]

An inch, perhaps an inch and a half poking out below the hose turn over gives the best effect.

We'll agree to disagree....

[Jock Scot]

We'll agree to disagree....

As you wish.

[sergeantmike]

Congratulations,
I recently received my first kilt in my clan tartan and it is amazing. The connection you feel with your past is awesome. I am really happy for you and I know you will cherish it and the experiences it will bring.

Mike

[Profane James]

Speaking of garters...
I must recommend our lovely friend at Blue Ridge Knits..
Currently, I only see acrylic colors, but if you send a message, may have or can get wool colors. I have all of my garters made by this shop.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueRidgeKnits

[MacKenzie]

Looks great!

[OC Richard]

Too much of the flashes/garters flapping about is best avoided. An inch, perhaps an inch and a half poking out below the hose turn over gives the best effect.

Just so. This is something my band-mates who are relatively new to Highland Dress do wrongly.

Let me explain: It's not that I have a preconceived notion of how much flash should show. Rather it's a "form follows function" thing.

The function of the garter is to support the sock. I, and probably just about everyone who has worn traditional Highland Dress for very long, puts on the sock, puts the garter on at the point which will be the turnover point, then turns over the cuffs. Since nearly all Scottish-made garter flashes are made to more or less the same length, and nearly all Scottish-made kilt hose are designed for a fairly similar turnover cuff width, everyone will have a fairly similar (and modest) amount of the flashes showing.

On the other hand, since our band (like most bands) wear the newfangled "piper's socks" which are strong thick elasticized things which fit tightly and need no support, the newbies make no connexion between the garter flashes and holding up the socks. For them the flashes are mere decoration and the idea is for as much of the flashes to show as possible. So they put on the socks and fold over the cuffs, then put the garters around their legs just below the bottom of the cuffs, and move them up under the cuffs just enough to cover the elastic. The result looks ludicrous to me.

Now it's sure true that if you go back into historical Highland Dress (as opposed to traditional Highland Dress) you'll note that like women's hemlines the length of the garters has gone up and down.

Garter length reached it apex (or nadir I suppose I should say) in the second quarter of the 19th century. Garters were tied with huge elaborate exposed bows with plenty left over to hang down halfway to the ground. AFAIK only The Atholl Highlanders have continued to wear this style.

Here are Cameron Highlanders in 1852. In 1855 there would be a major overhaul of military dress.



The same regiment in 1864 showing simple tabs with no loops emerging from under the turned-over cuffs (and also showing, surprise surprise, the square-toe spats which are supposedly unique to the Black Watch)

[Profane James]

Ah those 1852 Camerons are looking just right!

[bicyclebradley]

Just so. This is something my band-mates who are relatively new to Highland Dress do wrongly.

awesome post!
Having visited Scotland in April, the Edinburgh and Stirling Castles both have really great recounts of Scottish military history.
Spot on and thanks for sharing that knowledge with us all!