Accessories: same color?

**Paolo** · 3rd June 10, 12:04 PM

Hi folks,

this is my newbie question

: do accessories (shoes, sporran and belt) have to have the same colors? Or can I wear black belt and black leather sporran with brown shoes? Or black belt, brown leather day-sporran and black shoes...

Warm wishes

**Spc. Scott** · 3rd June 10, 01:13 PM

As far as sporran strap, sporran and belt I would say yes to matching them. Many will match their shoes to this as well but it isn't absolutely necessary IMO. Many pics of Prince Charles will show how well this can work.

Check here!!

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 3rd June 10, 01:23 PM

No one I know in Scotland really worries (or obsesses) about the "matching tie and hankie" conundrum in the same way people in North America seem to worry about this. It really doesn't matter if your shoes don't match your sporran. But it does matter if they aren't polished...

**davidlpope** · 3rd June 10, 02:05 PM

I agree with MOR. I have learned not to worry about matching items of Highland attire and heartily recommend it.

For what it's worth, it's probably more traditional to mismatch a brown leather sporran with black full brogues than to match shoes to belt to sporran strap to sporran.

Same goes for shirt, tie, and jacket choices.

Cordially,

David

**Panache** · 3rd June 10, 02:05 PM

Question # 7 Should one’s leather accessories all have to match colors?

No, just make sure they match in levels of formality.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 3rd June 10, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

Question # 7 Should one’s leather accessories all have to match colors?

No, just make sure they match in levels of formality.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

Absolutely spot on.

**OC Richard** · 3rd June 10, 05:27 PM

I agree with the people above: you don't need to match leather colours especially in Day Dress.

When I first started wearing the kilt in the 1970's and looking at photos and catalogues, and noticing how people dressed at Highland Games, it seemed to be extremely common for people to wear a brown Day sporran but black ghillies. In fact it was several years before I ever saw a pair of brown ghillies, or a black Day sporran.

I have here several books with loads of photos of pipers and others from the 1950's through 1970's, almost all of them wearing brown Day sporrans and black ghillies.

Now, Evening dress is a different matter, as I don't recall ever seeing, until recently, an Evening sporran or Evening brogues made in brown. Evening shoes were black Patent in the old days, and the sporrans seal or other fur.

**Bugbear** · 3rd June 10, 05:53 PM

It was drilled into my psyche when I was growing up, "black shoes, black belt; brown shoes, brown belt." Also that it does not look good to put brown shoes with black pants etc. Brown with lots of red being a bit of an exception.

I regret having brought that training to my posts early on.

**davedove** · 4th June 10, 04:36 AM

There's nothing wrong with having the colors match, and if that is your preference, go for it. Just don't get bent all out of shape if they don't match.

I tend to match my colors because that is the way I was brought up, but I have learned to relax that somewhat and don't obsess over it.

**Standard** · 4th June 10, 04:52 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

Question # 7 Should one’s leather accessories all have to match colors?

No, just make sure they match in levels of formality.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

Well said Jamie, that is exactly what I was going to say. It takes a bit getting used to for us on this side of the pond to not obsess with matching colour on everything, but it really is ok.