Let's talk full dress sporrans

[Lime]

However, I became bored with the sporran over the years and decided to sell it in favour of the bespoke, L&M horse hair sporran I mentioned above, which I also ending up selling! Will I ever make up my bloody mind?! Good grief!

I understand that some ladies use an upmarket handbag rental type system so that they enjoy the variety of all the latest and most distinctive designer handbags for a fraction of the cost... hang on... are you thinking what I'm thinking?

[creagdhubh]

I understand that some ladies use an upmarket handbag rental type system so that they enjoy the variety of all the latest and most distinctive designer handbags for a fraction of the cost... hang on... are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Oh dear, Lime...why did you have to go and mention that brilliant, utterly fantastic idea, mate?! Hahahaha!

[CMcG]

I've always loved your horsehair sporran, Colin. And with its given provenance, I am sure it holds a special meaning for you (if I recall correctly, didn't your grandfather or father pass it down to you?). I too had thought about "rounding" the bottom edges of my horsehair sporran (back when I still owned it, of course), yet never got around to doing it. Perhaps I was hesitant to do so in fear of disastrous results!

You are correct, my dad passed his horsehair sporran down to me My girlfriend's mom is a hairdresser, so she would be the one to trim the bottom... if I decide to risk it!

[creagdhubh]

You are correct, my dad passed his horsehair sporran down to me My girlfriend's mom is a hairdresser, so she would be the one to trim the bottom... if I decide to risk it!

Oh, well done! What a superb idea.

[Liam]

Lime...That is a bute!

[Nathan]

I think the sporran is gorgeous as is, and doesn't cover as much of the apron as some I've seen. What shape did you have in mind exactly?

[CMcG]

I think the sporran is gorgeous as is, and doesn't cover as much of the apron as some I've. What shape did you have in mind exactly?

Perhaps something like this fine example from Artificer:


I've been contemplating this for a few years, so I guess you could say I'm not rushing the decision

[creagdhubh]

Perhaps something like this fine example from Artificer:


I've been contemplating this for a few years, so I guess you could say I'm not rushing the decision

Lovely shape indeed, and that's exactly what I was contemplating way back when. A shape akin to the mid to late 19th-century horse/goat hair sporrans. Along with Artificer's and Cluny's shown above, I like some of the hair sporran examples shown below:

[Tobus]

I absolutely agree, Colin, that hair sporrans look much better with a rounded bottom. Or even a scraggly-looking bottom. My horse hair sporran has a flat cut bottom like many others, and to me it always looks like I'm wearing a broom. I really want to taper mine, but I also lack the intestinal fortitude to start cutting on it, for fear I'll ruin it.

Thankfully, mine is not really a high-dollar formal one with a cantle. The leather flap makes it less dressy, although I have indeed used it for dressy occasions. I really ought to stop using this photo since it contains the faux pas of wearing a necktie with a formal jacket instead of a bowtie (hey, it was an experiment), but it does show my horse hair sporran.

I think if I rounded the bottom and let it be a little more expressive/individual/unique, and changed out the heart badge on the flap for something a little larger and more ornamental, it would look a lot better.

[Orionson]

I've always been a fan of the old horse hair and goat hair sporrans and there certainly are some fine examples on display here in this thread. I thought I'd add a pic or two of my own Artificer Special. Nathan, fear not. Just bite the bullet and go for it. The experience of working with Scott in the design phase is remarkable, and once you unwrap the finished work of Art you will be thoroughly delighted and never experience a single moment of regret. It is an heirloom and after a lifetime of satisfaction it will live on in your family long after you have gone. Mine was commissioned for my only daughter's recent Wedding and with strictly formal uses in mind. However, I have also found that due to it's earthy colour palette which picks up the Autumn colours of the Highlands perfectly, it works extremely well with my day wear Harris tweeds in the same way depicted in so many of the MacLeay paintings.Dad's Toast 1.jpg

And this one...

Dad's Toast 2.jpg