do tartan flashes have to match the kilt?

[dburns]

If someone was to wear his clan tartan flashes with his fashion tartan kilt would he be in violation of kilt law? Would the kilt police be knocking on his door? Is this something that is just not done?

[unixken]

It's my understanding that although two different colorways of the same tartan would generally be ok (say, ancient and modern), it's bad form to mix two different tartans.

[Nile]

Hello Dburns, and welcome to X Marks.

I'm no expert (and I wouldn't worry too much about "kilt police") but, I would not wear tartan flashes with a tartan kilt (just my opinion, of course). I have worn tartan flashes on occasion with my green (non plaid) Kiltman Kilt (utility type) and even a plaid shirt but, I only wear solid colored flashes with my tartan kilt.

It really comes down to how you want to approach wearing your kilt. Without going into great detail (you'll find all the detail you want on this site), there are advocates and examples of everything from historic, to traditional to free form styles on this site from which you can glen the information you need to guide your interest.

Nile

[Downunder Kilt]

No kilt police because there is no kilt law, there are traditions, acceptable practice. As Ken said in 2, don't mix tartans and,
get it out of your mind that you have to match anything in relation to kilt wear. coordinate if you wish, but don't overthink the matchy-matchy of the colours. I, for one, never wear tartan flashes

[dburns]

Thanks guys! That's what I thought. I am thinking of getting another kilt for more every day kind of wear. In all likelihood, I wouldn't be wearing flashes at all in that case. But I did wonder if it would be a way to represent the clan. I am surprised to see such dislike of tartan flashes, but at the same time I can see how they could be undesirable. I do wish to avoid the matchy-matchy trap, yet I am not confident or experienced enough yet to pull off great feats like red hose with Campbell tartan. Our Chief does this somehow without looking like a cartoon. In the meantime, I will look into some solid color flashes and kilt pins, or belt buckle, and perhaps brush up on color theory.

[GG]

I see two possibilities:

1) Solid colored flashes coordinated with the colors of the kilt – must be matching each other.
2) Tartan flashes only with a kilt in the same tartan.

I should never combine tartan flashes or any flashes with a utility kilt type. But just my opinion.

[John_Carrick]

[QUOTE=GG;1162167]I see two possibilities:

1) Solid colored flashes coordinated with the colors of the kilt – must be matching each other.
2) Tartan flashes only with a kilt in the same tartan.

Spot on Greg. In Scotland 1) is preferred.

I have bought a range of plain flashes but I still like my matching tartan flashes.

John

[rondo]

dburns,
I never wear flashes....period. I find them, as well as sgian dubhs, superfluous. Just don't ask me why I wear kilt pins...they serve little practical purpose either. Just one of those little inconsistencies I have. Go figure.
Rondo

[Wil]

I see two possibilities:

1) Solid colored flashes coordinated with the colors of the kilt – must be matching each other.
2) Tartan flashes only with a kilt in the same tartan.

I should never combine tartan flashes or any flashes with a utility kilt type. But just my opinion.

Hear Hear!

[MacGumerait]

If one chooses to wear tartan flashes , I would only recommend the tartan that matches thier kilt . That's only if you choose to wear them , it's not a requirement .

I would have to agree with others here , I wouldn't wear a kilt in one particular tartan and flashes in another tartan . As has been said , there are no " tartan laws " or " kilt police " , however , the overall pairing of these two items would probably look a bit odd .

As a side note , flashes can be made from the same tartan fabric of the kilt , that compliment the kilt and don't look like a repeat of the kilt's actual tartan , of course that option would depend on the particular tartan ( i.e. sett size etc. ) .

In your case , with a fashion tartan , I would go with solid color flashes . If you want to represent your clan while wearing the fashion tartan kilt , there are other ways to do it , as suggested by yodofizzy .

Cheers , Mike