Flashes .. Single/Double ?

[Taskr]

With knitted/loomed, after they are tied one is left with two ends to arrange nicely to show under the hose turn down. The flashes made on elastic or other have two sets to hang under the hose turn down. I've begun sewing up my own 'ribbons on elastic' to build up the collection. The other day I made a grey set with only a single and thought it looked rather good. Should the hose flashes be double?

[ASinclair]

With knitted/loomed, after they are tied one is left with two ends to arrange nicely to show under the hose turn down. The flashes made on elastic or other have two sets to hang under the hose turn down. I've begun sewing up my own 'ribbons on elastic' to build up the collection. The other day I made a grey set with only a single and thought it looked rather good. Should the hose flashes be double?

My opinion (from a traditional point of view) is, if flashes are meant to simulate the two loose ends of a hose tie, then yes, there should be two. Obviously, you may do what you will.

[Mael Coluim]

FWIW, I prefer to flip flashes back up and over so only a small portion is showing. I think the longer length showing is rather dorky, but that's IMHO.

[Spartan Tartan]

I don't use flashes with the elastic band, but nevertheless, I arrange the ties such that very little are exposed. I like them to keep my hose up. Beyond that, just a splash of colour is nice. But not too much.

That being the case, a single bit exposed would probably go largely unnoticed. I don't think it matters either way. If you like the look, then I say go for it.

[OC Richard]

Yes since flashes are the vestige of a bow, one would see two ends, and perhaps also two loops.

Here in 1852 flashes had got quite huge and showy in the army



With the new uniform introduced in 1855 the flashes got dialed back considerably, and were worn under the turnover cuffs, not over the cuff as previously (the Pipe Major looks like he's having a bad day)



Modern military flashes are doubled, either with loops or without, but these Seaforth Highlanders ones appear to be single



For sure the pipers of The Queens Own Highlanders, then The Highlanders, wore interesting wide single flashes made from thick striped material that reminds me of Guatemalan work



Here are the military single flashes, on the left the Queens Own Highlanders pipers', on the right the Scots Guards pipers'

[Profane James]

Ah nice, the big ones look great with the spats.

[Taskr]

My opinion (from a traditional point of view) is, if flashes are meant to simulate the two loose ends of a hose tie, then yes, there should be two. Obviously, you may do what you will.

Yes, two ends. Which is why flashes that have two ribbons each folded over the elastic thus making four ends had me curious