Flashes???

[flairball]

I'm new to the kilt world, and will be getting my first kilt next week. Question is; is it necessary to wear flashes to hold your hose up? I would like to go flash free (pun intended) if it is possible. Of course I understand there will be times when flashes are appropriate, so I will buy some for at those times.

[UmAnOnion]

Additional question on flashes: I know the ends should be cut on the diagonal toward the center. Should this be fabric or frayed like fringe???

[bubba]

Flashes aren't an essential for everyday wear, but the garter is with hose that like to slip. I made a pair of elastic garters that secure with velcro for daily use. I save the garters with flashes for dressing up and most often wear the plain elastic.

[Riverkilt]

Time to order flashes is now, they're a lot easier to obtain when ordered with your kilt.

Whatever tartan you ordered, looks better if they match. Or order a solid flash to match a color. Or, both.

If you're wearing kilt hose up to the knee you're gonna NEED something to keep them from slopping down when you walk.

When I'm not wearing flashes, like with most casual kilts, I slip the flashes off their elastic and still use the elastic to hold the hose up.

Think there are instructions on how to make your own flashes in the info section of this board. You can just make up your own elastic from that, rather than unstring an existing flash. Whatever works.

But you will need something to keep your kilt hose up if you walk much.

Ron

[davedove]

As the previous posters have said, you may need at least the elastic garters to hold the hose up, although that will depend on the hose. I have found that some hose will stay up fine on their own, but some don't, especially if they are older or stretched out. I happen to like wearing flashes with a tartan kilt; it just seems like part of the outfit.

But to simply answer your question, the flashes are not necessary for wear with the kilt, although you may want to wear the garter anyway to hold up the hose.

[Colin]

I'm new to the kilt world, and will be getting my first kilt next week. Question is; is it necessary to wear flashes to hold your hose up? I would like to go flash free (pun intended) if it is possible. Of course I understand there will be times when flashes are appropriate, so I will buy some for at those times.

They are not essential, but they sure help hold up those hose. I really like the look of flashes with rolled up hose and a nice tartan kilt too. I just seems to complete the look.

Additional question on flashes: I know the ends should be cut on the diagonal toward the center. Should this be fabric or frayed like fringe???.

It all depends. The flashes I got with my kilt are actually fringed and cut straight at the bottum. Similar to these:
where as the solid colour flashes I bought years a go are cut at the angles (no fringe)

[Bob C]

If you're wearing your hose up to the knee, wear flashes. They're one of the little things that identify you as a kilted gent and not a cross-dresser. Same with the sporran.

[Panache]

I and my wife are with Bob, somehow having the flashes really identifies what you are wearing as a kilt (plus I just like the look, it give bit of well...flash to the outfit).

Panache

[GlassMan]

If an evil little child sets your flashes on fire, does that mean you'll be a man having hot flashes?

Sorry, I have no idea why that came into my head.

Personally, for me if you are wearing a tartan kilt it just doesn't look right without flashes. There just appears to be something missing from the ensemble.

[cessna152towser]

Usually I wear flashes with a tartan kilt but don't normally wear them with my all black kilts.