A single sporran for very casual to semi-formal?

[Tobus]

MacMillan of Rathdown, just to clarify, are you saying that a full-mask sporran is not appropriate for white tie? I couldn't help but notice your emphasis on the sporran being silver-mounted. It makes perfect sense to me if so, but I was just unaware that a full-mask sporran had a ceiling on its level of formality.

Also, since you brought it up, I notice that all of your levels of formality require silver accessories (kilt pin, etc.). But if an antique brass cantle sporran is OK for "less formal" and "semi-formal", would it not be acceptable to pair it with other brass accents like kilt pin, waistplate, buttons, etc.? Maybe brass buttons on a PC would be weird, but what about a black Argyle? Or what about gold instead of brass?

I guess what I'm asking is whether this is really a "uniform" or not. If one dresses to the correct level of dress, in terms of jacket, hose, tie, etc., does the colour of the metal really make or break the outfit? I would like to think it would be one of those minor details that allows some personal style to peek through without breaking the rules, but I want to be sure.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

MacMillan of Rathdown, just to clarify, are you saying that a full-mask sporran is not appropriate for white tie? I couldn't help but notice your emphasis on the sporran being silver-mounted. It makes perfect sense to me if so, but I was just unaware that a full-mask sporran had a ceiling on its level of formality.

Yup, there is a glass ceiling. White tie, whether kilted or not, has a pretty rigid dress code; probably the most concise laid down for Highland attire is that first published by C.R.MacKinnon of Dunakin in 1960, wherein he states:

"Silver-mounted fur, sealskin, or hair sporran."

If, like the badger sporran worn by an officer in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, a full mask sporran has a silver cantle, then it would be appropriate to wear with Formal Highland attire. If, on the other hand, a full-mask sporran lacks a silver cantle then it really isn't proper for white tie.

Other than "white tie" an ordinary full mask sporran is absolutely correct at any time of day.

Also, since you brought it up, I notice that all of your levels of formality require silver accessories (kilt pin, etc.). But if an antique brass cantle sporran is OK for "less formal" and "semi-formal", would it not be acceptable to pair it with other brass accents like kilt pin, waistplate, buttons, etc.? Maybe brass buttons on a PC would be weird, but what about a black Argyle? Or what about gold instead of brass?

I think that "silver" is just one of those conventions that we have to live with, as regards semi-formal attire. When you get right down to it, any formal attire, in all its permutations, is supposed to be the finest clothing one possesses, which means silver buttons and accessories, instead of brass. Now, if one happens to wear grandfather's brass kilt pin, no one will really notice-- or care. The same with an antique brass cantle on a sporran. Brass buttons, on the other hand, are a notch down on the scale. Why? Because the livery buttons worn by servants are brass. Call it snobbery if you will, but a gentleman doesn't want to arrive at dinner looking like he's pinched his footman's jacket!

Gold is a different matter. Provided it's "old" (and one is a duke) gold buttons and accessories can look quite smart. On the other hand, if one is not a duke (and especially if the buttons and accessories are new) then one runs the risk of looking vulgar. In my entire life I've only seen one Scottish aristocrat wearing gold buttons, etc., with formal Highland attire. At nearly 80 he looked exactly like what he was-- one of the great Highland magnates whose people had held the land since time immemorial. Anyone else would have looked like a jumped-up brewer.

I guess what I'm asking is whether this is really a "uniform" or not. If one dresses to the correct level of dress, in terms of jacket, hose, tie, etc., does the colour of the metal really make or break the outfit? I would like to think it would be one of those minor details that allows some personal style to peek through without breaking the rules, but I want to be sure.

It's not a uniform, but there is a uniform dress code for evening wear, hence the different levels of dress. That said, a gentleman with a sense of style can tweek things a bit to suit his individual personality.

As with everything else in life, it's all about taste, and the desire to avoid looking like Rodney Dangerfield in "Caddy Shack".

[Downunder Kilt]

MOR. In your synopsis in post 33 you advise that formal (as in white tie event) requires the attendee to wear a white bow tie. I was always under the impression that in Highland attire, it was most acceptaple to wear a black tie to such functions. Am I way off beam here?

[Zardoz]

I was always under the impression that in Highland attire, it was most acceptaple to wear a black tie to such functions. Am I way off beam here?

That's long been my understanding.

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Supplemental/Scottish.htm

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

While military regulations may specify a black bow tie with mess dress when attending a white tie event, civilians should follow the conventions of wearing a white tie (or, depending upon the style of the jacket, a lace jabot) when in Highland attire. The idea that black tie could be worn in lieu of white tie dates from the end of WWII when His Majesty, King George VI, for a brief time relaxed the white tie requirement at dinners when members of the royal family were present. This was done so that those not possessing formal evening attire due to war-time and post-war shortages could still attend.

[SlackerDrummer]

While military regulations may specify a black bow tie with mess dress when attending a white tie event, civilians should follow the conventions of wearing a white tie (or, depending upon the style of the jacket, a lace jabot) when in Highland attire. The idea that black tie could be worn in lieu of white tie dates from the end of WWII when His Majesty, King George VI, for a brief time relaxed the white tie requirement at dinners when members of the royal family were present. This was done so that those not possessing formal evening attire due to war-time and post-war shortages could still attend.

Except that the dress code for the Royal Caledonian Ball explicitly says black bow tie for highland attire (or lace jabot) and it is clearly, based on the non-highland dress code, a white tie event.

Dress

Part of the particular appeal of the Ball is that everyone attending is wearing traditional formal evening dress. The dress requirements are stated below in summary and in detail.

Please note that those not correctly dressed will be refused entry.

If you are unsure about any aspect of the dress code, please contact the Ball Secretary.

In summary

Ladies
Full length dress

Gentleman
Highland evening dress, or
Evening tails with white tie, or
Mess kit
No dinner jackets

In detail

Ladies - essential
Floor length evening dress, or
Mess dress (for those entitled to wear it) with full length skirt

Ladies – optional (but encouraged)
Tiaras
Clan tartan sashes
Orders and Decorations

Gentlemen - essential
Highland evening dress comprising kilt and sporran, evening jacket of black broadcloth or coloured velvet, white evening shirt and black bow tie or lace jabot, or
Evening dress, comprising black evening tail coat, white shirt with wing collar, white bow tie and white waistcoat, or
Mess dress, worn according to regulations, with, preferably, where permitted, any more formal variation such as stiff shirt, wing collar and black bow tie

Gentlemen – optional
Orders and Decorations

For the set reels gentleman taking part must wear highland evening dress or mess kit, tail coats only if part of mess dress, and ladies must wear clan sashes.

[CMcG]

Other than "white tie" an ordinary full mask sporran is absolutely correct at any time of day.

This is an important caveat; I learn something new on Xmarks all the time

Gold is a different matter. Provided it's "old" (and one is a duke) gold buttons and accessories can look quite smart. On the other hand, if one is not a duke (and especially if the buttons and accessories are new) then one runs the risk of looking vulgar. In my entire life I've only seen one Scottish aristocrat wearing gold buttons, etc., with formal Highland attire. At nearly 80 he looked exactly like what he was-- one of the great Highland magnates whose people had held the land since time immemorial. Anyone else would have looked like a jumped-up brewer.

This reminds me of our recent "too traditional" thread.

[creagdhubh]

Yup, there is a glass ceiling. White tie, whether kilted or not, has a pretty rigid dress code; probably the most concise laid down for Highland attire is that first published by C.R.MacKinnon of Dunakin in 1960, wherein he states:

"Silver-mounted fur, sealskin, or hair sporran."

If, like the badger sporran worn by an officer in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, a full mask sporran has a silver cantle, then it would be appropriate to wear with Formal Highland attire. If, on the other hand, a full-mask sporran lacks a silver cantle then it really isn't proper for white tie.

Other than "white tie" an ordinary full mask sporran is absolutely correct at any time of day.

I think that "silver" is just one of those conventions that we have to live with, as regards semi-formal attire. When you get right down to it, any formal attire, in all its permutations, is supposed to be the finest clothing one possesses, which means silver buttons and accessories, instead of brass. Now, if one happens to wear grandfather's brass kilt pin, no one will really notice-- or care. The same with an antique brass cantle on a sporran. Brass buttons, on the other hand, are a notch down on the scale. Why? Because the livery buttons worn by servants are brass. Call it snobbery if you will, but a gentleman doesn't want to arrive at dinner looking like he's pinched his footman's jacket!

Gold is a different matter. Provided it's "old" (and one is a duke) gold buttons and accessories can look quite smart. On the other hand, if one is not a duke (and especially if the buttons and accessories are new) then one runs the risk of looking vulgar. In my entire life I've only seen one Scottish aristocrat wearing gold buttons, etc., with formal Highland attire. At nearly 80 he looked exactly like what he was-- one of the great Highland magnates whose people had held the land since time immemorial. Anyone else would have looked like a jumped-up brewer.

It's not a uniform, but there is a uniform dress code for evening wear, hence the different levels of dress. That said, a gentleman with a sense of style can tweek things a bit to suit his individual personality.

As with everything else in life, it's all about taste, and the desire to avoid looking like Rodney Dangerfield in "Caddy Shack".

***

Well said, Scott. And this is precisely the reason why Kate Macpherson gives you the option of adding a plain silver or brass cantle to her full-mask sporrans, which actually does make for a rather smart look (see the earlier photos I posted in this thread for reference).

Cheers,