Sporran chain advice needed

[MizzouScotsman]

I have what may be a silly question. I have done some looking and can't find an answer. It concerns sporran chains. I have seen some places that say it's ok to wear the sporran chain through the belt loops in the kilt and some places that it is a definite no no to wear it through the loops.

As always, the rabble is the place to go to find a definitive answer. So is it proper to wear the sporran chain through the belt loops? I have not done it but to me it would seem to put undo stress on the loops. But then again, it would secure the sporran a bit better, according to some.

I have moved away from my sporran hangers as they tended to sling the sporran a bit low and when moving at a good clip, the sporran tended to beat up the family, if you get my meaning. So I have started to use a chain, have not graduated to a belt yet, and wish to make sure I not only wear it properly but that I don't do damage to my precious kilts.

Thanks guys and gals, in advance.

[Downunder Kilt]

If the kilt I am wearing at the time has belt loops i wear my sporran belt through them, only because they are there. I think you are mixing up stories of kilt belts being put through the loops and possibly damaging the kilt. I have never heard of a concern about threading sporran belts through them. As I said, if they are on the kilt I use them, if I am wearing one of my kilts with not belt loops the sporran belt stays in roughly the same spot anyways. The only damage that you are likely to cause to your kilt with the scenerio you post about is using chain. Unless you ensure that all the links and their closures are super smooth. along the any attachment clips (to attached to your sporran) there is a chance that threads on your kilt could be caught or worn through. When metal and fabric rub together, metal wins. I would suggest getting the all leather sporran strap ASAP.

[Manxstralian]

On a similar(ish) note, do any of the rabble know of, or have a suggestion for a high-quality sporran chain retailer? I need one only for formal occasions (once or twice a year), but I think it's a good investment. I'm not looking to spend hundreds, but $100 or thereabouts sounds feasible.

Cheers,


Cameron

[MacCathmhaoil]

My only concern with chains is that the cheaper ones may have a tendancy to snag on the kilt causing some damage. Cheaper chains may not have welded links. I have a sterling silver set with the links all welded and polished so there is minimal chance of any snagging or damage. Generally for day wear I prefer leather sporran belts.

[Grizzly]

If the kilt I am wearing at the time has belt loops i wear my sporran belt through them, only because they are there. I think you are mixing up stories of kilt belts being put through the loops and possibly damaging the kilt. I have never heard of a concern about threading sporran belts through them. As I said, if they are on the kilt I use them, if I am wearing one of my kilts with not belt loops the sporran belt stays in roughly the same spot anyways. The only damage that you are likely to cause to your kilt with the scenerio you post about is using chain. Unless you ensure that all the links and their closures are super smooth. along the any attachment clips (to attached to your sporran) there is a chance that threads on your kilt could be caught or worn through. When metal and fabric rub together, metal wins. I would suggest getting the all leather sporran strap ASAP.

Yep what Mike said.

In addition to threading my sporran belt through the belt loops I also tuck in the strap above and behind the kilt buckles. This tends to keep the sporran raised and prevents it lowering itself to where it is decidedly uncomfortable.

[thescot]

I used to always run the strap through the belt loops (never the belt itself) if they were there, but I don't bother any more because it seems to be unnecessary. Keeping the sporran from hanging too low is accomplished by tightening the strap/chain. I don't want it more than about 2-3" below my buckle. And these days, I only wear a strap unless I am trying to look dressy.

I'm sure that several of the advertisers here could provide a very frine chain.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

The actual origin of the "belt loops" on kilts is indeed for the sporran strap. If you look at the way most early kilts are constructed ("early" here meaning nineteenth century) there are no belt loops. At some point, I'm going to say early-to-mid twentieth century (this is not a confirmed date as I have not really looked into it that closely) some kilt makers started making kilts with "sporran loops."

These were smaller than we are used to seeing belt loops on kilts, because they were made specifically for the more narrow sporran strap. They were used mainly for men with no hips to speak of, or larger waists than hips, as an aide to keep their sporrans from slipping down. (I've seen a few older kilts that had these very small loops in the back).

The story goes that some kilt wearers complained that these loops were not wide enough for their kilt belts and began requesting their tailors to make the larger. And so the trend of having large belt loops on your kilt began.

With that in mind, I don't see any reason not to wear your sporran strap through your belt loops if you like (assuming you have belt loops on your kilt at all).
Matt

[creagdhubh]

The actual origin of the "belt loops" on kilts is indeed for the sporran strap. If you look at the way most early kilts are constructed ("early" here meaning nineteenth century) there are no belt loops. At some point, I'm going to say early-to-mid twentieth century (this is not a confirmed date as I have not really looked into it that closely) some kilt makers started making kilts with "sporran loops."

These were smaller than we are used to seeing belt loops on kilts, because they were made specifically for the more narrow sporran strap. They were used mainly for men with no hips to speak of, or larger waists than hips, as an aide to keep their sporrans from slipping down. (I've seen a few older kilts that had these very small loops in the back).

The story goes that some kilt wearers complained that these loops were not wide enough for their kilt belts and began requesting their tailors to make the larger. And so the trend of having large belt loops on your kilt began.

With that in mind, I don't see any reason not to wear your sporran strap through your belt loops if you like (assuming you have belt loops on your kilt at all).
Matt

Thanks for sharing this with the rabble, Matt.

Cheers,

[BCAC]

In reply to Matt's post, I remember having a kilt made in 1976 that had no belt loops (the question was never even asked, neither by me or the kiltmaker (Geoffrey's)) and being surprised to have belt loops on the kilt that Geoffrey's made me in 1999 (again without the question being asked).

Nowadays I ask for the belt loops to be left off as I don't need them.

[creagdhubh]

Nowadays I ask for the belt loops to be left off as I don't need them.

I do the same.