A Formal Alternative

[creagdhubh]

There could be a nice fur alternative dress sporran made of stingray like this one by Artificer:



I just think the one you purchased is too casual based on the shape and soft bodied construction.

I'm not a big fan of ray skin for a sporran, but I've always admired this beauty.

[Machaggisnz]

Just a quick query re the ray skin sporrans. is the white flash in the middle of the skin a natural marking or is that colouration done by the maker? I've caught a few rays over the years but can't remember any markings like that, though mine were southern hemisphere rays. They look very cool, makes me want to go fishing again.

[ctbuchanan]

I have enjoyed all the comments and think I am coming up with two distinct outfits. One for the afternoon wedding (with the sting ray sporran) and one for the very formal evening reception. I have several friends with a formal sporran and will try to borrow one for the weekend.

The white flash is made up of natural calcium deposits and in real life appears opalescent - very distinctive. Don't know exactly which species it appears on but it apparently appears along the spine.

[BCAC]

Ah, the never ending debate between what could be labelled "traditionalists"-wool only, brass cantelled or full mask sporranned, cromach holding crowd, or the "personalists"(ouch)-interpretative kilting with polyviscose(gasp), interpretive sporranining(is that a word?), ball cap wearing crowd. At the end of the day, self expression and enjoyment is a wonderful thing, as life is too short to get too hung up. That being said, I think CeildhDoc nailed it. If one wouldn't "mix and match" a style that the general populace is aware of--ie some "saxon" dress faux pas, it seems a little disingenuous to mix and match highland dress just because one can slip it by the unknowing. No one's getting murdered here, the angst is probably amusing to some, distressing to others(deep breaths BCAC, it will be ok). It's a stunning sporran, maybe just not the right one for this occasion. As you stated in the initiation of the thread, read on, enjoy.

My "needing to be properly dressed" syndrome probably stems from over 31 year of miltary life. During that time I was told what to wear and when to wear it!

[creagdhubh]

My "needing to be properly dressed" syndrome probably stems from over 31 year of miltary life. During that time I was told what to wear and when to wear it!

Same here.

[Liam]

My "needing to be properly dressed" syndrome probably stems from over 31 year of military life. During that time I was told what to wear and when to wear it!

Isn't it refreshing, however, as a civililian to be able to to individualize yourself and stand out in a crowd?

[guardsman]

Remember where your going , and ask yourself , can anyone tell the difference ? If not wear what you like .

[Alan H]

This is my "dress" sporran.

http://www.thepipershut.com/product-...lidantique.htm

--Except that being the outrageous cheapskate that I am, I found the exact same sporran with a chromed cantle for twenty bucks less. I bought it and then removed the cantle and coated it with black enamel. I then carefully wiped the enamel off of the raised portions of the cantle. I probably should have just bought the "antiqued" finish, as it goes with my pewter finish "Nice" belt buckle a little bit better, but what the heck.

Anyway I know of two pipe bands that wear these. They're not "made in Scotland" but the sporran is defintely not "junk".

Mind you, I'm not saying that I don't like your very cool jacobite-type sporran. It's just that I concur with the rabble, that I personally wouldn't wear that as a dress sporran. However, that's me, and you are not me. I wouldn't refuse to drink whisky with you on account of your choice of sporran, you know?

[ctbuchanan]

This is my "dress" sporran.

http://www.thepipershut.com/product-...lidantique.htm

I wouldn't refuse to drink whisky with you on account of your choice of sporran, you know?

I would hope not since I would probably be willing to pay for it!

No offense taken from any of the responses - I've actually received a few good ideas and just TODAY was offered the loan from a friend of a finely made angora fur sporran with a beautiful cantle to wear for my evening formal. So I get to wear my very cool (to me anyway) sting ray in the afternoon and go all furry
that night.

[Bob C]

I would not wear that sporran to a formal event.