Tartan flashes: bias or straight?

[Graeme H]

Okay, don't close the thread. I'm sorry I overreacted...as I admit I'm prone to do.

Still, it can be frustrating. I'm fully aware that tartan flashes are a recent invention and thus not "traditional". But then, neither is the medium-apron, wide-waistband, 14-pleat RevK kilt I'm making. Same goes for plans for my outfit to be occasionally accompanied by a mini plaid*, and an Irish caubeen with a purely decorative brooch and a small tartan "hackle" rather than the usual balmoral or glengarry with a clan crest badge.

I don't do these things just to be different. I'm sticking with the "pocketless utility kilt" design for this kilt because I like how it looks with a portion of the pleats visible from the front, and probably would've kept to mid-rise with a slope rather than full-rise were it not for wanting the option of including a waistcoat. I added a second button to the front of my Argyll because I thought it gave me a more flattering fit, and replaced the chrome buttons with antiqued pewter because I found it a better match to the rest of my accessories. I bought the caubeen because I prefer the style over that of conventionally Scottish caps, and the mini plaid is likewise so I can add some tartan flair up top if the mood strikes me, without having to deal with the potential awkwardness of a wearing full-sized plaid. And while the idea for the cap brooch came from a desire to avoid redundancy (I already have crest badges on my sporran and sgian), I decided to instead make it a decorative theme with the wooden saltires on my sgian and kilt pin:
accessories.jpg

I understand the conventions involved with full-on formalwear. But part of the reason I've chosen a kilt outfit for regular dresswear is the freedom to be creative with it, to do something that's outside the norm while still maintaining a certain degree of acceptability. Something that actually makes me look forward to opportunities to dress up, rather that begrudgingly putting on a boring old suit when I absolutely couldn't get away with donning black jeans and a sport shirt. So I'm more than bit irked when a certain portion of the community tries to tell me, yes, but don't be too creative with it.



* not a pleated laird's plaid, but a single-width fly plaid that's longer than the jacket but shorter than the kilt (like those offered by House of Edgar)

Sartorial expression should be encouraged. You don't know until you try! As long as the outfit has genuine thought behind it (as it seems to me it does), then I'm sure it will be a success. Admittedly I am a novice in the intricacies of Highland dress, however as a tailor I encourage every client I see to be expressive and experimental with their commissions, within reason of course.

Good luck to you, sir!

[kingandrew]

I'm glad that you're keeping the thread open. Your efforts and outfit are interesting and I look forward to seeing it all develop and to the finished product.

I don't know that anyone was looking to condemn your ideas, just to provide historical perspective. And it's OK to do something new and different, you just want to make that choice consciously. However, I can also see how some comments might come across as rather strong.

I personally have both self-tie garters and tartan flashes. Which I wear on any given day has to do with how I'm feeling, what I'm planning to be doing in the kilt, the other elements in the outfit, and which kilt I am wearing. I don't feel that one is superior to the other, just suited to different activities.

If you enjoy and like what you're wearing, you will project the confidence that is the real key to looking good. As always, wear the kilt, don't let it wear you and you'll look smashing.

Andrew