Matching Flashes with Hose Colour

[fluter]

I find the advice offered to be excellent, and I'll take exception only to four words (emphasis added), and that merely because it overstates the thesis:

And like many here, I would also avoid tartan flashes, as they are not traditional at all and can seem a bit amateurish to some.

Matching tartan flashes have come around in vogue in the last few decades, from my intermittent observations of the scene. In that sense, we can say that they're "not traditional."

However if we rewind two or three centuries, garters might consist of any random strip of fabric that came to hand, to hold up the hose. This is the idea behind the soft "traditional" garter ties (and that they are easier on my legs' circulation than elastic garters). On that basis, the garter might well have been a scrap of the same fabric as the kilt, so we can say that the new-fangled tartan flashes hearken back to a very old idea.

Nonetheless, among guys of a certain age (e.g. mine), they may still be viewed as an innovation, for good or ill.

Tobus: I love those hose. If one can acquire hand knit hose of that quality, they may be worn anywhere.

[Tobus]

However if we rewind two or three centuries, garters might consist of any random strip of fabric that came to hand, to hold up the hose. This is the idea behind the soft "traditional" garter ties (and that they are easier on my legs' circulation than elastic garters). On that basis, the garter might well have been a scrap of the same fabric as the kilt, so we can say that the new-fangled tartan flashes hearken back to a very old idea.

Aye, indeed, there are some historic portraits showing men tying their hose up with strips of tartan, and that's all well and good (Robert, aka Ancienne Alliance exhibits this wonderfully by tying tartan ribbons outside the cuffs of his hose for a very traditionally-inspired look). But when done with flashes, which simply hang straight down from under the cuffs in neat orderly pairs, it just doesn't have quite the same effect at all, and IMHO doesn't come anywhere near being a tribute to the earlier tradition.

And this is really my hang-up about flashes in general. Aside from being a fairly new invention, they just seem too neat and orderly and devoid of character. Traditional garter ties at least have a fringed edge to give them some unruliness. And I absolutely love the look of castellated hose with ribbons or garters tied in an exposed knot or fancy bow, although this style has to be applied with much thought to the context in which it will be worn. But flashes, even though they are perfectly acceptable in today's Highland wardrobe, seem to lack any sort of individual style (to me, anyway).

[azwildcat96]

I don't know if they are traditional or not, but I own and wear matching tartan flashes. Not exclusively, but I do wear them, and I do think they look fine. I also enjoy other styles and colors of flashes and ties. Whether for funtion (holding up the hose) or for style, these simple accessories do help to complete the look of the outfit. Mix them, match them, enjoy them.

You'll find that by simply changing the color and/or style of hose and flashes, some folks may even believe that you are wearing a different kilt altogether. I've heard of this happening on a cruise ship, when a passenger brought one kilt and several different pairs of hose and flashes. Other passengers commented that he must have some collection of kilts to wear a diferent one each day. To which the kilted gentleman simply smiled.

[Jack Daw]

If you are going to have one pair of flashes or garter ties, it should be red....or, any other color.

[Joe Gondek]

My first question is, for the Black Watch tartan which green is best, Lovat Green or Bottle Green?

LIke to wear bottle green or oatmeal with mine

[AFS1970]

I have never owned a pair of red flashes but that is because I just don't think they look good with my tartan (Ancient Baird). I currently own Green (a shade I would call Hunter Green or Dartmouth Green), Black (New and not worn yet), Purple (New and not worn yet). I do have a set of Royal Blue that no longer fit but I am thinking of adding extra elastic to fix that.

When I got my kilt, it came with matching tartan flashes, which I was lead to believe were more formal than solid color. While I do like the tartan ones, I have had two pairs and they have both worn out. The first unraveled and the second fell victim to moth holes. I have never worn out a pair of solid color flashes regardless of the material. I do not plan on replacing the tartan ones.

As for the fringe versus points thing, Although they are not for me, I bought a pair of Lovat Blue flashes for my brother, to wear with his kilt which is also Ancient Baird. They are finished with a short fringe at the bottom. I like the way they look and will probably get myself a pair or two.

I will add that my hose choices are either Lovat Blue or Black, although I have a pair of Lovat Green with Argyle Tops that I just bought and have yet to wear. So with the exception of the Black hose, I tend towards darker colors for my Flashes. My brother only has Bottle Green Hose so the Lovat Blue was a good choice for him.