Sporran belt vs. chain

[Moses]

I can't find anything to address my question specifically in terms of THCD. It has almost certainly been discussed but I can't find it here.

While I see most are a fan of a nice leather belt for the sporran I was wondering about the application. I don't hate chain but fear it is too synonymous with cheap/rentals. And I don't see a lot of sense in fancy square link chain that might only apply to White tie formality.

Can a leather belt for one's sporran suffice for evening wear? In general it appears so. Would something like a nice braided leather belt be expected to denote a higher level of dress? Or will the simplicity of a nice plain black leather belt be what is in order. What about formal? I do realize there is an expectation of more bright silver/bright colored metal but does it extend to the means of supporting a sporran?

Please anyone chime in, I would be grateful for guidance as I don't have any real first hand experience.

[Holcombe Thomas]

I wear a narrow, plain, leather belt for my sporran, day or evening. I've two, one brown and one black, to match the color of the sporran.

I think that braided vs. non-braided makes no real difference in formality. Further, I don't think that a chain sporran belt says "rental" either and there are some lovely, and very, very dear, sporran belts with sterling silver chain links.

Wear whichever you wish. Just make sure that either one, chain or leather, has nothing which might snag the kilt.

Holcombe

[Steve Ashton]

The military has worn plain leather belts as day wear for years.

Many of us use the leather belts as a way to lessen the possibility of damage to the wool, right over the hip bones, from the chain. As you move the links can open and close. Sometimes they will catch the wool. And of course the links and any clips should be as smooth as possible.

In general though, dressing up formally would mean you pull out the fanciest stuff you own. If you have a chain then great. But if all you have is a leather belt then wear it.

[Piobair]

I think a woven belt in any context is inadvisable. With a sporran, over a pair of cargo shorts in 1992, doesn't matter - avoid.

Chains are fairly standard and I've never thought they were out of place, even when someone was wearing pistols and plaids and all that. It's possible to go far beyond the typical varieties you see most vendors carry. Ian Grant and H & I offer sterling chains in link and more elaborate varieties, and you could certainly spend $600 - $700 if you were so inclined.

I think leather straps are fine, but over the years I've found them to be a little inconsistent. Depending on where you get them, the leather can be of poor quality or the cut can cause them to sit at an angle. There are a few custom leather strap makers, Wyvern comes to mind and a guy I got one from years ago o who I can't quite remember. while I usually equate leather with day wear a super high quality, plain black leather strap might look pretty cool.

[Moses]

The military has worn plain leather belts as day wear for years.

Many of us use the leather belts as a way to lessen the possibility of damage to the wool, right over the hip bones, from the chain. As you move the links can open and close. Sometimes they will catch the wool. And of course the links and any clips should be as smooth as possible.

In general though, dressing up formally would mean you pull out the fanciest stuff you own. If you have a chain then great. But if all you have is a leather belt then wear it.

I would say that I can get a nice leather belt for sure. But I'm not sure about a nice chain or what constitutes a nice chain. Is there a particular type of chain that is both appropriate and less likely to snag?

[Moses]

I think a woven belt in any context is inadvisable. With a sporran, over a pair of cargo shorts in 1992, doesn't matter...

....leather can be of poor quality or the cut can cause them to sit at an angle. There are a few custom leather strap makers, Wyvern comes to mind and a guy I got one from years ago o who I can't quite remember. while I usually equate leather with day wear a super high quality, plain black leather strap might look pretty cool.

I don't have any attachment to the woven belt idea I was just wondering. There's almost no chance of me getting a silver chain, as far as a leather belt, I do wonder about the quality available and also how it might sit

[David Dubh]

In my opinion I wouldn’t do a braided sporran belt for formal wear I equate it with casual wear. If I was wearing pants a braided belt would be with jeans and kakies. I have 2 leather ones one has embossed thistles and the like which I wear for smart day wear. I wear the metal Crome chain that came with my full fur dress sporran for formal wear. I don’t think I do formal enough to spend a fortune on a dress chain strap, I would probably spend the money on a custom silver sporran. Again can’t justify the money for as often as I wear a formal outfit
Cheers David

[Todd Bradshaw]

I own plain leather straps, embossed leather straps "brogued" leather straps and chains with adjustable leather straps in the back. To my eye, the chains make better formal wear and the straps usually tend to be better when used as day wear. The thing about chains though, is that an awful lot of the sporran chains that you see have pretty cheap lousy chain on them - often with little sharp edges and looking like something from a hardware store. Ideally, you would want chain which is aimed more at the jewelry market than the hardware market. It does exist in a wide variety of sizes and patterns, silver or gold-tone from a variety of metals and smooth enough to wear next to bare skin, so it isn't likely to tear up your kilt. Do an eBay search some time for "curb chain" (whatever that is) and you will see many examples of jewelry-quality chain, and many of them are available in a variety of sizes and lengths at quite decent prices. If you have a sporran with poor quality chain you can probably buy one of these, transfer the end fittings if needed and end up with a much nicer piece of kit.

It seems to me that the typical sporran strap or chain usually reflects how much effort went into making it, and even on some of the nicer sporrans, that may not be much. I don't see any reason why that part of your kiltwear shouldn't get the same sort of attention that the other parts get.

[Moses]

I own plain leather straps, embossed leather straps "brogued" leather straps and chains with adjustable leather straps in the back. To my eye, the chains make better formal wear and the straps usually tend to be better when used as day wear. The thing about chains though, is that an awful lot of the sporran chains that you see have pretty cheap lousy chain on them - often with little sharp edges and looking like something from a hardware store. Ideally, you would want chain which is aimed more at the jewelry market than the hardware market. It does exist in a wide variety of sizes and patterns, silver or gold-tone from a variety of metals and smooth enough to wear next to bare skin, so it isn't likely to tear up your kilt. Do an eBay search some time for "curb chain" (whatever that is) and you will see many examples of jewelry-quality chain, and many of them are available in a variety of sizes and lengths at quite decent prices. If you have a sporran with poor quality chain you can probably buy one of these, transfer the end fittings if needed and end up with a much nicer piece of kit.

It seems to me that the typical sporran strap or chain usually reflects how much effort went into making it, and even on some of the nicer sporrans, that may not be much. I don't see any reason why that part of your kiltwear shouldn't get the same sort of attention that the other parts get.

Wow a leather strap with broguing sounds perfect. I haven't seen it before but that seems great. I think the chain recommend as a finer quality chain may be worth looking into also and actually an easy solution, thanks again.

[Moses]

In my opinion I wouldn’t do a braided sporran belt for formal wear I equate it with casual wear. If I was wearing pants a braided belt would be with jeans and kakies. I have 2 leather ones one has embossed thistles and the like which I wear for smart day wear. I wear the metal Crome chain that came with my full fur dress sporran for formal wear. I don’t think I do formal enough to spend a fortune on a dress chain strap, I would probably spend the money on a custom silver sporran. Again can’t justify the money for as often as I wear a formal outfit
Cheers David

I agree David...the braided thought was not really something I would want but mostly just throwing out an idea.