Old-fashioned flashes

**mayberry** · 7th January 09, 07:46 PM

Instead of elasticised garter flashes, does anyone out there wear long wool ribbons wrapped twice around, and simply tied with a bow so that the ends peak out under the hose roll-over? I gather that's what pre-dated the use of elastic garters, and I know that it's still the custom in some other forms of dress.

**ForresterModern** · 7th January 09, 07:52 PM

Yes, but you don't have to tie them in a bow. Just double wrap and tuck the tail under so both ends show out the side next to one another from under your hose rollover. they work great and are very comfortable.

**davidlpope** · 7th January 09, 07:54 PM

Consider these:

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/garters.html

Several reviews are posted here on the site. You can find them by using the search function.

Cordially,

David

**Carolina Kiltman** · 7th January 09, 08:19 PM

Our pipe band (Cape Fear Pipes aand Drums) uses them. They tie them with what is often known as a "miller's knot". This knot was originally used to tie up sacks of ground grain. (Obvious?) I'll not try to give instructions here, but only say that it is basically over and under half-hitches.

They look rather sharp, IMHO.

**mayberry** · 7th January 09, 08:34 PM

Thanks. That's exactly the information I was hoping for.
Cheers,
John

**Good Egg** · 8th January 09, 05:02 AM

We were issued tape to wrap around rather than elastic for our hose. Although with flashes showing rather than a bow.

**Jack Daw** · 8th January 09, 10:11 AM

Oh, yes. Outside of my piper's kit and semi-formal wear, I actually prefer these garters. STM has a boat-load of them in two lengths. They also work best with castellated hose that are not turned down. I have such a pair of hose.