color question about flashes

**seamus** · 21st July 04, 06:22 PM

all right then lads! I've been wanting to wear my kilt formal (well, semi-formal; i have decent hose, nice dress shoes that actually look a lot like ghillies, a white shirt and a black tie - not traditional, but pretty good looking if i do say so myself), and i feel like some flashes would be a nice little cherry on top. i have a stewart black tartan kilt, and i was wondering what you all think with color of flashes. i was thinking red, but does anyone else have an opinion? mayhap someone has a stewart black and knows what looks good? oh, and on a side note, it *is* kosher to wear off-white hose with a stark white dress shirt, yes? i mean, it looks good, and i think so, but i wanted to make sure i wasnt committing sacrilige. thanks everyone, cheers!

-seamus

**phil h** · 21st July 04, 06:29 PM

red or blue would be nice.both colours in the kilt, yellow may be a bit flash(pun intended)
and yes off white will be good.
pure white I think is for pipers and boys.

**macwilkin** · 21st July 04, 06:46 PM

The main thing is to find flashes in a colour that is in your tartan -- if yellow is there (and I can't remember right now about the Black Stewart), then I would go with that one, since you see a lot of red and blue flashes around.

Off-white hose are all right with a white shirt, IMHO.

T.

**zeytoun** · 21st July 04, 10:47 PM

Tartan flashes are expensive (I've heard close to $50) but look very nice, I think. Scottishkilts.net sent me matching tartan flashes with my kilt. Otherwise, Phil and Episcopalscot's advice is good. Experiment and see what ties it all together the best, your opinion will probably be right on. I'm not versed on the formal rules, but I believe pure white is very formal, so off white might just be spot on.

**macwilkin** · 22nd July 04, 04:17 AM

A lot of times, kiltmakers will supply flashes in your tartan when they make your kilt for free or for a small charge -- I know Hector Russell throws in a pair as part of the package.

T.

**Colin** · 22nd July 04, 08:29 AM

I agree with these guys, try and find some in a colour that is also in the tartan. I have a pair of black that go with everything. For the Black Stewart I would say that you could not go wrong with red flashes (just an opinion of course). Remeber to try and post of picture of from the event.

**macwilkin** · 22nd July 04, 10:12 AM

Colin is on to something here...black flashes, Black Stewart...black flashes on off-white hose...that might just work. Why didn't I think of that?

T.

**zeytoun** · 22nd July 04, 11:16 AM

And a black tie..

**Hamish** · 22nd July 04, 11:29 AM

There is really nothing more that I can add! My preference would be for black flashes if you are aiming for the more formal look and, yes, off-white hose is by far the better choice over pure white.

Can't wait to see a photo Seamus

**seamus** · 22nd July 04, 12:11 PM

oh man, but if i post a photo, i'll just get shown up! ach, all right, *maybe*....but anyway, where can i get black flashes from? USA Kilts only has green, blue and red, and I'm sending in my kilt to get some sewing done, and i thought that would be easiest....but if you all think black, maybe i should just go with that. again, any places where i can purchase them? and i've only seen them for about $15; can i get them cheaper? or, has anyone ever made flashes? well, theres a few questions for you, boys. thanks.

oh, just another thought: since i've got on a black tie and black shoes, with a lot of black in the tartan, do you think black flashes would make it too dominating? or would red flashes be off balance since i dont have any red in my upper body? thanks.