Tan Accessories - Where Have They All Gone?

[longhuntr74]

One of the vendors at the Pleasanton Games this past year was wearing (IIRC) a pigskin sporran and matching natural tan waistbelt and sporran strap. I commented on them to let him know I thought they were great. He had made them himself, of course!

[ThistleDown]

I have the remnants of a tan waist belt that was my grandfather's (or quite likely his father's, I've no idea, but in the last half of the 19C). It's about 2.5 inches in width and very plain. It's fragile and not repairable but just another family treasure gone a bit rusty in some places and black where the buckle once was. In fact, it's quite possible it looked a bit like this even when my ancestor wore it

My guess on the reasons for the demise of the styles shown -- a fairly educated one, I suppose -- is that dirk belts and sword belts went out in Scotland in the 18C, except as worn by the military and, of course, as worn for portraiture of which these are fine examples. By the turn to the 20C everyone wore black in the evening and that custom has just stayed around for more than a hundred years.

[Tobus]

My guess on the reasons for the demise of the styles shown -- a fairly educated one, I suppose -- is that dirk belts and sword belts went out in Scotland in the 18C, except as worn by the military and, of course, as worn for portraiture of which these are fine examples. By the turn to the 20C everyone wore black in the evening and that custom has just stayed around for more than a hundred years.

Those were my thoughts exactly. Dirk belts and baldrics ceased to be worn by civilians and became relegated to military wear. And so it stands to reason that over the last two centuries the military style (i.e. black or white) became the only way people wore them any more.

Were they to be widely worn by civilians again, I have no doubt that we'd see a resurgence of other colours and styles, just like every other bit of civilian accessories.

[creagdhubh]

My guess is that it is kip skin or just plain old high quality cow leather with a nice coating of oil/wax. My understanding is that this was later blancoed by the Army, who then later switched to lampblack for a uniform appearance with less effort.

As for why you don't see it anymore, in mind it's simple: the cheap, shoddy products in circulation today are more cheaply produced in black. One needs high quality leather to look good in lighter colors like natural tan...

Exactly! I have always been drawn to the tan/brown leather accessories in regards to MacLeay's Highlanders, very smart indeed. I think the colour brings an aura of sophistication, in a fashion sense, not class, and sets one a part from the more abundant use of black leather accessories.

Cheers,

[Lime]

Gents. I have been looking for some time for a good quality sporran belt in natural or buff coloured leather. If you do find any retailer with such, please let it be known.

I can't see one on their website but I'm pretty sure that McRosties do them

https://www.said.net/secure/mcrostie/index-shop.asp

I'm not 100% sure, but fairly sure, that McRosties do leather sporrans for Slanj so you can see the range of colours on their website

http://www.slanjkilts.com/Kilts-and-...-products.html

I saw the light tan in the Edinburgh Shop last year and fell in love...

[creagdhubh]

I can't see one on their website but I'm pretty sure that McRosties do them

https://www.said.net/secure/mcrostie/index-shop.asp

I'm not 100% sure, but fairly sure, that McRosties do leather sporrans for Slanj so you can see the range of colours on their website

http://www.slanjkilts.com/Kilts-and-...-products.html

I saw the light tan in the Edinburgh Shop last year and fell in love...

Yes, McRostie's of Glasgow does in fact make tan, and other brown leather accessories, as I have commissioned them in the past to make me bespoke sporran straps in their selection of various tan and brown leathers - they do an outstanding job! I am sure they would be willing to take on just about any type of commission, be it a dirk frog, crossbelt, waist belt, etc.

Cheers,

[cavscout]

[creagdhubh]

I like the belt, but I have never been fond of sporran 'hangers.' Superb colour, though!

[Mr.Charles Anthony]

Readers; These light colours could be what was termed 'buff' or a light tan, as well.
Also note, historicaly, baldricks were once white, as well as the sword froggs.
Now, that would look good in circa 2012, A fancy doublet, with all the trims, a white baldrick, and frogg for your Broadsword, at the Governours Ball(or the like)!
I think also, the change came with mass production, & the age of the consumer, it requires some work to keep a light colour clean(for black plastic leather, next to nill).
But that is a view from man who still polishes his army boots(West German issue right now)his brown brogans & any leather item I own.
Good question
CSA

[creagdhubh]

Readers; These light colours could be what was termed 'buff' or a light tan, as well.

Quite right.