question about flashes

[imrichmond]

While flashes sewn onto garters might be an entirely new thing,

They aren't really all that new; they were the commonly-used form of flashes when I was a kid back in the 1950s and they were certainly in general use long before that. I would estimate that they have been in common use for at least the past 80-90 years.

My preference is certainly for solid-colour flashes. I have them in red, green, burgundy, ancient blue, navy blue, and black and select them according to the outfit I'm wearing, the nature of the event, and sometimes the mood I'm in. I've always felt that tartan flashes were over the top, akin to wearing tartan épaulettes or sliders. Also, I find that most tartan flashes are far too long.

[Sir Didymous]

First off, as a fair warning; I have a well noted eccentric sense of fashion. Now on to the point:
There is a fairly high number of people on here that are very staunch as to what is considered traditional. That is a good thing and I applaud them and their very dignified approach to kilted attire. Most of those who fall into this category would say that tartan flashes are over the top, unnecessary, and so on. The nice thing is that the rabble on here is, for the greater part, polite enough not to knock a person for a difference of opinion. In more contemporary modes of dress, at least those that involve tartan kilts, matching flashes aren't required, but are acceptable and even liked by some. The same is true with tartan neck ties. I like both, flashes and ties. I own three pair of tartan flashes to match three of my kilts, but I don't wear them often. It's not because I don't like them or anything; I just like to coordinate my solid flashes with the other parts of my outfit and allow the overall look to complement the kilt. Occasionally though, I like working in the opposite direction and showcase the kilt by using matching flashes or neck tie. That is the style used by the Ferguson clan chief who wears a matching tie in many photos.

[Norbo]

I have a number of flashes . By black watch ones I use with my Argyle and Sutherland as its a close match . the lime green ones I made from the horrid bows I got on my Royal Reg of Scotland kilt I cut them of and made the flashes from the bottom part of the bow . this is the kilt with bows before I removed them

The black green and red/ the burgundy and the dark blue are also home made as they go with lots of kilts . and the last the Flower of Scotland I were with my matching kilt . When you have lots of kilts and no flashes to go with them a plane flash will go with many kilts so that's whay I did them as I could not find matching ones for all I have and if I did it would cost a fortune to get them.

[Tarheel]

Norbo, I too make my own flashes. Yours are an interesting variety. I feel I can blend with shirts, hose, waist coats, etc , better than I can purchase a huge variety of kilts right now. I'd love to be a "clothes horse" but find I'm more of a clothed plow mule.

[LongShanks]

I would thank the input from all of the members who have replied and aired there view. I take it all onto consideration before making an educated decision on how I will wear the flash. Considering that if a fashion of matching flashes is somewhat new don't make it wrong, after all I once had very long hair and wore tie dyed shirts belled pants and walked barefooted. If some think that wearing matching flash to be over the top so be it but remember that at one time or another every kilted man as been looked upon by others as being of something over the top to each his own. Tradition is a great thing it keeps us all grounded and gives those new to wearing the kilt a great jumping-off point. But there has always been room for change and to give the old boys down at the pub something to shake there head and roll there eyes about. Here is a little bit of history and tradition to chew on something you may consider sad that is not used anymore. Garter flashes are used to keep your socks up. However; in olden days showing your tie or flash symbolised a single status letting ladies know you were available. Flashes that were tucked away were symbolic of married men and men who were courting.

Thanks to the rabble and ware your Flash stiff.

[California Highlander]

I have a few kilts that I have been wearing for some time and I have always used tartan flashes so far so good. To day I walked in to a highland wear shop and inquired to if they had any Black Watch tartan flash. the young girl whom I was causing some great distress looked at me and send we only have solid color and then with great horror she asked why would you want a tartan flash! I knew it best to leave before she got my Scotty side up and she noo gona understand a word id be yelling at her. well I felt as though id stepped in something soft. How do the brethren see it tartan or color.

The reaction seems a bit extreme. At my local shop, they carry solid flashes. The reason? They can match most kilts. Tartan flashes would require far too many varieties in stock to match all the kilt variations out there.

[bwat]

How do the brethren see it tartan or color.

Anything but tartan. I've got three pairs of tartan flashes gathering dust. One was bought as part of my first kit for a big event and I had no other option. I hadn't been in a kilt for 20 years so I was pretty much a neophyte but Iinstinctively knew that tartan flashes felt a bit iffy to me and when I got home I did some surfing and discovered solid colour flashes on ebay. The other two pairs were free gifts to keep me happy when a company slightly messed up an order. The current status is that all three are unworn and gathering dust.

Other than that, I think that lass sounds more like a "sales assistant" than a "shop worker". Wish I lived near a highland outfitters with staff like that. Actually I wish I lived near a highland outfitter.

I wouldn't say no to Grizzly's hand knitted flashes. They're very very nice.