"If you're wearing your hose up to the knee..." then you're wearing them too high. Just above the swell of the calf is high enough. A few inches below the knee. And if people can't tell if you're wearing a kilt, then flashes aren't going to make the difference. To me they're one of those unnecessary bits that are fine for dress up, but a bit much for daily wear. I tend to limit the amount of ribbon I wear normally. But the garter's a good investment. A strip of elastic and almost no sewing ability and you're all set.