Let's talk full dress sporrans

[Nathan]

So, I'm aware that from a traditional perspective, the de rigeur sporran is a fur sporran with a metal (usually silver, though occasionally gilt and some argue even brass MOD) cantle.

After much of the fur on my sealskin Prince Charlie style sporran cracked off and disintegrated, I turned that into a semi-dress sporran, which I subsequently bartered for a nice vintage brown leather day sporran. Ever since, I've had my eyes peeled for a good deal on a seal skin sporran.

Yesterday, my latest ebay find arrived in the mail, a traditional looking sealskin sporran (which I purchased from a man in Germany) that was made in Scotland, or at least the cantle was. It wasn't advertised as seal and it is possible that the vendor didn't know what it was. No problem on the Canadian end of things in any case.

I guess what I'm wondering, is whether you think this classic style of sporran is just right or whether you think it's too generic and prefer to go for something a little more unique or eye catching. Some feel horsehair sporrans are odd for civilian use, but there are tons of them at the Royal Caledonian Ball. (Is there a similar event that takes place in the Highlands annually that we might find photos of?) Some like goat hair also.

What are your thoughts?

I'm giving one of my evening sporrans along with a black leather day sporran (not pictured here) to one of my brothers as I recently bought him an inexpensive kilt from a fellow xmarks member. Which one should I give away?

Here's the current collection minus 1 that I have packed up for my brother. I'm leaning toward giving away the one on the top right. Thoughts?

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And here's the new sporran... bonus question: Does anyone want to guess about it's provenance? Does it look like anyone's handiwork in particular?

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I know there are a lot of questions here. Perhaps I should have broken this into a few threads. Ultimately, I already know what's appropriate, perhaps what I'm after is your taste preferences.

[creagdhubh]

I guess what I'm wondering, is whether you think this classic style of sporran is just right or whether you think it's too generic and prefer to go for something a little more unique or eye catching.

I think your newly acquired evening sporran looks very smart and quite suitable for black tie events where you will be wearing Highland dress. You can never go wrong with sealskin and a silver cantle. I think the style is representative of a classic, traditional and simplistic approach that has proven to be popular through the years. Some may perceive the sporran as too generic, common, or seen in use entirely too often, but that is simply in the eye of the beholder. More importantly, what do you think of the sporran? To reiterate, I think your new sporran is beautiful and gathering what I can see from your photos, it appears to be well made. In regards to sporran making, there has definitely been a trend through the years to have sporrans be of a highly unique nature, utterly striking, and a bit ostentatious, which is perfectly acceptable, don't get me wrong. Especially when you're discussing sporrans that are meant to be worn with Highland evening attire and have added "bling." Just take a look at the vast array of cantle designs, cone/bell designs, hair/fur types, colours, some with stones or jewels, some without, some engraved, some plain, some with heraldic engraving/crest/coat of arms, some made of gold, hallmarked silver, gilt, brass, etc, etc...the possibilities and details are truly endless! Bottom line, I think what you have does stand out for the simple fact that it's beautifully made, is aethestically pleasing, and possess simplistic, yet striking qualities. I love it!

Some feel horsehair sporrans are odd for civilian use, but there are tons of them at the Royal Caledonian Ball. (Is there a similar event that takes place in the Highlands annually that we might find photos of?) Some like goat hair also.

I am a perfect example of this. I used to own a bespoke, six-tassel horsehair sporran made by L&M Highland Outfitters of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. I only wore it for black tie events whilst wearing the kilt. I loved that sporran, but after a few years, I became tired of it and decided to sell it. I suppose I wanted something that didn’t necessarily cover the front apron of my kilt as much as the hair sporran did; something a wee bit smaller was definitely in order. Though, I still love the look of hair sporrans, specifically with the body of the sporran made of goat hair (think of Kenneth MacLeay’s beautifully detailed watercolour portraits of The Highlanders of Scotland). Besides the Royal Caledonian Ball, you will see the sporran molach (hair sporran) worn at the Oban Ball during the Argyllshire Gathering and Oban Highland Games, as well as at my own clan’s gathering and ball in Newtonmore and Kingussie. It seems in recent years, that more and more Macphersons, especially the younger generations, are wearing horse or goat hair sporrans with their Highland evening attire. I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that our Chief, Sir William Alan Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, TD, has always worn a very old, Victorian era goat hair sporran with his Highland evening attire and the young Macphersons really like the "old-school" look. Senior Clan Macpherson Chieftains, such as the late Euan Macpherson of Glentruim also preferred the sporran molach with his kilt for black tie events.

My old horsehair sporran can be seen in the photo below, along with Cluny's gorgeous, Victorian-era goat hair sporran.


Close-up shot.


Horse hair sporrans in action! My good mate, Donald Mackintosh and Fraser Macpherson can be seen wearing their horsehair sporrans at a Clan Macpherson Ball in Scotland.

I'm giving one of my evening sporrans along with a black leather day sporran (not pictured here) to one of my brothers as I recently bought him an inexpensive kilt from a fellow xmarks member. Which one should I give away? Here's the current collection minus 1 that I have packed up for my brother. I'm leaning toward giving away the one on the top right. Thoughts?
IMG_20131203_121354.jpg

I agree with you. I would give away the sporran shown in the top right, because I do not like the exposed, black leather edges surrounding/framing the fir front. It’s too reminiscent of the so-called, “semi-dress” sporrans, of which I have never been very keen. The other dress sporrans are so much more interesting and aesthetically, look far better in my opinion.

And here's the new sporran... bonus question: Does anyone want to guess about it's provenance? Does it look like anyone's handiwork in particular?

IMG_20131203_121401.jpg

IMG_20131203_121412.jpg

IMG_20131203_121419.jpg

IMG_20131203_121501.jpg

I would venture to guess your new sporran could possibly be made by Margaret Morrison Sporrans. It definitely reminds me of their work.

http://www.morrison-sporrans.co.uk/

I know there are a lot of questions here. Perhaps I should have broken this into a few threads. Ultimately, I already know what's appropriate, perhaps what I'm after is your taste preferences.

No worries! I hope I addressed your questions to your satisfaction. I'm quite sure this thread will generate a healthy discussion of full dress sporrans, et al.

[Nathan]

So what are you wearing currently in lieu of the sporran molach, Kyle?

[Macman]

A PLUS ONE to Kyle's post! I really like your new sporran; my sealskin sporran is very similar and I'm very partial to the style. I agree on the one you are looking to give away, for the same reasons as Kyle.

[Tobus]

Your new sporran is perfectly traditional and acceptable for full evening dress. Whether it's too generic or not is purely a matter of individual taste. As for myself, I prefer something more individual and unique. Not necessarily blingy and fancy; just something that no one else would be wearing. I personally don't care to dress with accessories that look like they were ordered from a catalog. But there's certainly nothing wrong with that.

I'm a big fan of hair sporrans, especially for dressy occasions. They just seem to make a statement; something along the lines of "THIS is what Highland wear should look like!"

[Nathan]

I'd love to see photo examples of everyone's preferred evening sporran!

[creagdhubh]

So what are you wearing currently in lieu of the sporran molach, Kyle?

At the moment, I either wear my Scottish Pine marten sporran from Kate Macpherson, or a full dress sporran from Ian Grant made of blackish grey mink fur with a silver cantle that has acanthus leaf detailing and tassels with matching bells. I'm still searching for the "perfect" full dress sporran, and I do have one in mind, but it's waaaaay out of my price range at the moment!

[David Thorpe]

The new one looks fine.

Like Tobus,

...I prefer something more individual and unique. Not necessarily blingy and fancy; just something that no one else would be wearing.

I rebuilt this from an Ebay find, using some of a black bear pelt I happened to have along with some horsehair and deerskin.

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[MacCathmhaoil]

Here is my evening wear sporran. It is goat hair with a sterling silver cantle and ermine tails. Smaller than a horse hair and definitely not cookie cutter, the only downside is it doesn't get as much use as I'd like.
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[creagdhubh]

Here is my evening wear sporran. It is goat hair with a sterling silver cantle and ermine tails. Smaller than a horse hair and definitely not cookie cutter, the only downside is it doesn't get as much use as I'd like.
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Very smart! I especially like the use of ermine for the tassels - very unique!