Highland Dress Accessories | Kilt Hose | Garter Flashes
Kilt Hose
Kilt hose were formerly fashioned from a piece of the tartan cut and sewn in the shape of a stocking. The manufacture of knitted tartan hose arose late in the 18th century and came rapidly into favour thereafter.
The lower half of the knee should be seen between the kilt and the top of the kilt hose. Kilt hose can be self coloured or specially knitted in matching tartan. Diced hose can be specially knitted in two colours to tone. Kilt hose are most commonly worn with a turnover at the top but castellated top hose can be an option.
Garter Flashes
Garter flashes are almost always used when wearing kilt hose. The elastic of the flashes is hidden underneath the hose turnover with the flashes showing on the outside of the leg. Flashes are made in an assortment of colours to compliment the tartan colours in the kilt and can be plain coloured or made in the actual tartan of the kilt.