Flashes???

[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)