Let's talk full dress sporrans

[Nathan]

So, I'm aware that from a traditional perspective, the de rigeur sporran is a fur sporran with a metal (usually silver, though occasionally gilt and some argue even brass MOD) cantle.

After much of the fur on my sealskin Prince Charlie style sporran cracked off and disintegrated, I turned that into a semi-dress sporran, which I subsequently bartered for a nice vintage brown leather day sporran. Ever since, I've had my eyes peeled for a good deal on a seal skin sporran.

Yesterday, my latest ebay find arrived in the mail, a traditional looking sealskin sporran (which I purchased from a man in Germany) that was made in Scotland, or at least the cantle was. It wasn't advertised as seal and it is possible that the vendor didn't know what it was. No problem on the Canadian end of things in any case.

I guess what I'm wondering, is whether you think this classic style of sporran is just right or whether you think it's too generic and prefer to go for something a little more unique or eye catching. Some feel horsehair sporrans are odd for civilian use, but there are tons of them at the Royal Caledonian Ball. (Is there a similar event that takes place in the Highlands annually that we might find photos of?) Some like goat hair also.

What are your thoughts?

I'm giving one of my evening sporrans along with a black leather day sporran (not pictured here) to one of my brothers as I recently bought him an inexpensive kilt from a fellow xmarks member. Which one should I give away?

Here's the current collection minus 1 that I have packed up for my brother. I'm leaning toward giving away the one on the top right. Thoughts?

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And here's the new sporran... bonus question: Does anyone want to guess about it's provenance? Does it look like anyone's handiwork in particular?

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I know there are a lot of questions here. Perhaps I should have broken this into a few threads. Ultimately, I already know what's appropriate, perhaps what I'm after is your taste preferences.