Quote Originally Posted by Tobus View Post
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I just want to make sure the OP doesn't get the wrong idea, as I sense that his original intent in using the word "reserved" was to ensure he doesn't break any such rules. But no official rules exist on the wearing of hair sporrans by civilians, and it's simply "unfashionable" in modern-day Highland tradition. Do you think this is a fair statement?
That sounds fair. I think, however, that civilian hair sporrans still appear to be seen occasionally for evening wear and have not dropped entirely off the radar.


Quote Originally Posted by Tobus View Post
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I have a sneaking suspicion that Highland dress sellers drove this change, trying to define what was 'proper' through their catalogs, and everyone went along with it. These clothing marketers thought their products were the pinnacle of fashion, and engaged in a determined advertising campaign, trying to reinvent the Highland look. Sort of like what we see today, where the hire shops seem to be the ones defining what's proper, and most folks (even in Scotland) just going along with it. Whether they intend to or not, they end up driving the fashion, which later becomes "tradition".
If your hypothesis is correct, then we are lucky that some retailers seem to be promoting civilian hair sporrans again. I would label the following images more as fashionable, than as traditional, though they are aren't too far off compared to runway fashion...

Pride of Scotland:


The Highland Shoppe:



While not a retailer, look what the director of Brave wears with his kilt: