Quote Originally Posted by Jimmy Carbomb
Hamish can give you "the word" on when to wear light colored versus dark colored kilt hose. Naturally, the outfit will eventually determine which way you go. For me, the oatmeal hose with the green flashes are a wonderful look, especially if the top accentuates the oatmeal hose.
Well, Jimmy, in my opinion you have said it all! The only thing I would add is that I, personally, would probably never wear bottle green hose with any of the modern colour, predominantly blue/green, tartans. Black Watch is also a good example of this (not that I would EVER wear Black Watch, as I have stated so many times in the past!). The problem with dark hose and the darker tartans is that, worn together, they will make you look very 'bottom heavy' from the waist down. In theory, and it works 99% of the time, the hose and your top (shirt, T-shirt, whatever) look so much better if they are pretty much the same colour. Not only is the visual balance pleasing but this will also show off the kilt's tartan to advantage and not detract from it.

My preference here is for beige or oatmeal hose and beige shirts. For casual or semi-formal wear, you cannot go wrong with this combination - and it'll work with virtually any tartan. Also with a plain black kilt: stunning! 8)

As for the width on the flashes, the dimensions on mine are 1.75" wide, and 5.25" from top to tip. Mine are all dual ribbon, and heavy weight.
Again, spot on Jimmy. Nine of the ten pairs I have are the same as yours, but I have a tartan pair that I've had for many years - in fact, since before tartan flashes became popular - and they are just 1" wide. Again, they are dual ribbon and about 5" long.