Rubbing Sporran

[lassmanac]

Good Morning! So, here i am all dressed up for the 238th U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball in my American Heritage tartan. One issue that i always seem to have is that my sporran reeeeeeally rubs me the wrong way - if you know what i mean - so i end up wearing it rather high. Anyone have suggestions on how to avoid the rub-issue? Also... i probably need different hose for this one.

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[The Wizard of BC]

One thing I notice in the kilt shop is that a lot of guys wear their sporran too low.

I try to advise my customers to hike their sporran up till it sits up, on the stomach. It is not a crotch protector.

A general guideline would be - The sporran should lightly bounce on your stomach when walking. If your sporran strap is under your stomach it is too low and will distort your aprons. If you ever catch yourself having to lift your sporran to straighten your aprons it is too low. If you ever feel your sporran bouncing against your genitals it is too low.

The problem today is that few men wear their kilt up at kidney level. So the sporran ends up hanging lower too.

In your pic I think the height of your sporran is about right. What I see is a vest that is a bit too long. This is actually an easy and quick fix. A few stitches at the shoulder seam will raise the bottom of the vest. I like my vests to sit so that at the back and sides the bottom of the vest just covers my ribs. Of course this also means that the kilt must be worn higher too otherwise you end up with white shirt showing between kilt and vest.
I also don't button the bottom button of my vests and wear my watch chain in the third button from the bottom, or about the bottom of my sternum.



Semper Fi

[BCAC]

I agree with Steve about the placing of the sporran.

On the other hand, if it was me, I would change the hose for either diced or solid coloured (not white/cream) and change the footwear for some highly polished black brogues. In fact this is the first time that I've ever seen anyone with boots on in a formal setting. That just wouldn't do in my circles.

[lassmanac]

doesn't count if they're bogue boots?

[Jock Scot]

Brogue boots and boots in general are not really appropriate with formal kit attire for dress occasions, I am afraid. If you insist on wearing them, well, I doubt that anyone will take you to task over it, but in all honesty, its just not done.

[creagdhubh]

Brogue boots and boots in general are not really appropriate with formal kit attire for dress occasions, I am afraid. If you insist on wearing them, well, I doubt that anyone will take you to task over it, but in all honesty, its just not done.

Agreed. Excellent suggestions provided by Steve as well. If you are a Marine, Semper Fidelis and Happy Birthday (even though we still have 4 days)!

Cheers,

[lassmanac]

noted! looks like i'm getting some new shoes!! and hose... and seeing the taylor. thanks gents!

I'm not a Marine. I was army way back when and a diplomat now. Overseas, we love our MSG and the ball is typically the biggest embassy event of the year. I can't say Semper Fi, but i can wish you a very happy birthday!

[creagdhubh]

noted! looks like i'm getting some new shoes!! and hose... and seeing the taylor. thanks gents!

I'm not a Marine. I was army way back when and a diplomat now. Overseas, we love our MSG and the ball is typically the biggest embassy event of the year. I can't say Semper Fi, but i can wish you a very happy birthday!

Cheers and Semper Fidelis!

[DanNeil]

No one needs to correct a Marine in Boots.
Though maybe a Scot might.

Enjoy the Ball.
DanNeil
USAF Ret.

[Jock Scot]

No one needs to correct a Marine in Boots.
Though maybe a Scot might.

Enjoy the Ball.
DanNeil
USAF Ret.

Remember please, that we are talking about advice that was asked for, about civilian kilt attire, not military dress regulations. So if a Marine, for example, asks for advice on civilian kilt attire then this Scot will assist, if he can.