How about this ensemble?

[Tobus]

Tobus: I don't wear a belt when I wear a waistcoat, but I think the look is somewhat incomplete when worn with just a shirt. Your brown belt and buckle have a nice look to them as does the ferguson britt sporran....

Actually, my wife and I built that sporran. FB sporrans are much better quality than that. My wife made (and hand-tooled) the belt. That buckle design is available through various internet vendors, and I chose it for the same reasons you stated. I like the 'complete' look of a belt when not wearing a waistcoat, but I don't want a flashy waistplate for daywear. This seemed like a good compromise, since it's a brushed/antiqued finish and isn't rectangular. The shape of it seems to tone down the visual impact a bit.

[TheOfficialBren]

Actually, my wife and I built that sporran. FB sporrans are much better quality than that. My wife made (and hand-tooled) the belt. That buckle design is available through various internet vendors, and I chose it for the same reasons you stated. I like the 'complete' look of a belt when not wearing a waistcoat, but I don't want a flashy waistplate for daywear. This seemed like a good compromise, since it's a brushed/antiqued finish and isn't rectangular. The shape of it seems to tone down the visual impact a bit.

Tobus, I have always admired that sporran. It's a pretty straight-forward design but well-done.

[Singlemalt]

Over the years I have gathered a fair collection of sporrans. I just like the things and pick them up when they appeal to me. However, I have found that 90% of my actual wear is between two sporrans, a formal L&M silver cantel hunting style with a jacket and tie and a pretty plain black day wear one (my current favourite is the Freedom Kilt carryall) with a shirt or sweater. I have a plain brown one as well but I am aware of the convention of wearing black shoes with a kilt and I can't get past my mother's admonishments that your belt and shoes should match. I can't get around this and comfortably wear black shoes and a brown sporran.

[Nathan]

Tobus, I have always admired that sporran. It's a pretty straight-forward design but well-done.

***

[Fedgunner]

OK, I've read the thread.
I have very little to add. To the sporran thing? I find your reasoning sound. I tend to wear my "semi-formal" sporran while in SAMS uniform, I have also worn it in the evening when I wanted to "kick it up a notch".
Every one here has thier own sense of style.
That is why it can be nearly impossible to glean a concensus from a thread.
In closing, I think you look much better than presentable.

::snicker::
I was re-reading this post and glanced at my avatar.

[Nathan]

Thank you Fedgunner. I'll probably go with the black sporran for this event until I get a black argyll jacket.

What do folks think about diced claret and green hose with day wear of this nature as an alternative? Too formal?

[MacLowlife]

Nathan, there is an old joke illustrating the point that they don't HAVE to kill the pig to use its bacon...

[Nathan]

With all the talk of sporrans, I'd like some feedback on this one that I recently made. Too big or within reason?

N

[Tobus]

What do folks think about diced claret and green hose with day wear of this nature as an alternative? Too formal?

Yes, too formal. While I like the look of diced or otherwise patterned hose, it's definitely in the formal category when it comes to traditional Highland wear.

With all the talk of sporrans, I'd like some feedback on this one that I recently made. Too big or within reason?

N

It's large, but not over the top in my book. That's about as big as I'd think you could go with that style of sporran. Looks very practical!

[Nathan]

Thanks Tobus. Regarding the big leather sporran, I think it would be ok with casual wear like this, but I'm not sure I could carry it off with smart day dress...

And just to be clear, I was asking about diced hose with the tweed jacket and tie etc.. that I was wearing in the first pic with the bingy contraversial sporran, not with the golf shirt as pictured. I only clarify, because I just googled the question and found an old thread where you stated, "My opinion only... I think diced hose look great for daywear, but I'd probably reserve the 'loud' patterns for evening wear. Red/black and red/white just seem to pop out too much for daywear."

So given that these are claret and green and match the kilt, assuming I was in smart daywear would you still think them too formal? If so, what made you change your mind? (Just curious, btw)