Leather sporran strap etiquette

**OC Richard** · 17th November 22, 06:02 AM

Maybe it's because my kilts don't have belt loops (I order them that way) or because I'm too lazy to reach all the way around to the middle of my backside, or the fact that I can't see what I'm doing back there, but I've always buckled the strap on my right side, just as the kilt itself buckles there.

**Tobus** · 17th November 22, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Maybe it's because my kilts don't have belt loops (I order them that way) or because I'm too lazy to reach all the way around to the middle of my backside, or the fact that I can't see what I'm doing back there, but I've always buckled the strap on my right side, just as the kilt itself buckles there.

Indeed it's just a matter of preference, especially if one is wearing a jacket that covers up the strap. I wear mine in the back whether my kilt has belt loops or not (some of them don't). And again, I don't fumble with buckling it at the back - I buckle it on the side and then turn it. In some ways, it does make sense to have it on the right side with the kilt buckle(s). I have no real reason why I put it at the rear except that it seems centered that way, and perhaps I just don't want more bulk on my right hip. But I may try it your way and see how I like it.

I will admit that for my sporrans that have chains that clip to the cantle, the sporran has to buckle in the back. And it's not easy to do when I can't see back there!

**tripleblessed** · 17th November 22, 08:38 AM

I've always buckled in front for visual access, then turned the belt and sporran to the front, buckle in back between but not through the belt loops. No identifiable reason, but it works well
in what passes as my mind.

**Guiness gets my Irish up** · 17th November 22, 05:26 PM

I dress casually most of the time, and I only wear a jacket as Louisiana weather allows, so the sporran strap will almost always be exposed. My sporran chain buckles in the back (that's a no-brainer.) Donning a leather strap on the dominant hip and rotating the buckle to the rear seems to be a pretty natural progression. I had considered leaving the buckle on the right hip for ease of access but couldn't help thinking that a matching buckle on the left hip would be necessary for the sake of symmetry. On the other hand, buckle on the dominant hip rotated forward (behind the sporran) to hide it, seems to offer a "clean" option that wouldn't affect symmetry or snag on upholstery. Thanks for the responses!

**Jock Scot** · 18th November 22, 04:40 AM

In a fairly long kilt wearing life, I cannot recall anyone even discussing where the leather sporran strap buckle goes. I put mine at the back and have, I suppose, always assumed everyone else does the same. Although, I can't see that anyone would bother if someone did something else, with their buckle. I suppose it is a wee tad smarter to have the buckle out of sight.

**kingandrew** · 18th November 22, 01:31 PM

I run my strap through the back of the sporran, like a belt. Once I have it buckled and adjusted, I rotate the buckle towards my back, in order to avoid anything tangling with the "flap" of belt left hanging out past the buckle. That is nicely held in check by the belt loops in back.

Andrew

**OC Richard** · 19th November 22, 05:45 PM

Since in my case the buckle doesn't seem to interfere with anything, and I don't care if anybody sees it, I leave it where I did the buckling, at my side.

It never occurred to me to take the trouble of dragging the entire belt around in order to put the buckle at a different place. (I guess the operation would have to be reversed when undressing?)

Continuing with my theme that Highland Dress is clothing, by analogy I wouldn't see the point in, after I buckled my trouser belt, rotating the entire belt so the buckle ended up somewhere other than where it was buckled, in front.

Though I can imagine instances when that might be done, say if it's a big bulky buckle and I'm wearing a waistcoat or something over the buckle.

**Jock Scot** · 3rd April 23, 02:44 AM

Originally Posted by kingandrew

I run my strap through the back of the sporran, like a belt. Once I have it buckled and adjusted, I rotate the buckle towards my back, in order to avoid anything tangling with the "flap" of belt left hanging out past the buckle. That is nicely held in check by the belt loops in back.

Andrew

Belt loops? BELT LOOPS! What on earth do you want those for? They are one of the most unnecessary gizmo's in the kilt attire world.----------In my humble opinion.

**AKScott** · 27th March 23, 01:17 AM

I use a conroy as a sporran strap buckle and ordinarily slide the buckle under the sporran so all I have visible is a continuous leather strap.

M2c

**OC Richard** · 28th March 23, 06:24 AM

I thought of this thread due to myself, who had been wearing plain leather belts exclusively for years, recently changing over to long-link chain straps.

This is because I've been having issues with the sporran staying centred whilst marching playing pipes, or running around at Highland Games.

Then I had the issue of the little double D-ring leather adapter not staying put, and pulling right through the leather slot-tab on the back of the sporran.

So I made an extra wide and thick D-ring adapter for one sporran.

For another sporran, which had the leather slot-tab placed too low (it's a common Pakistani sporran problem) I did the previously unthinkable and riveted two D-rings directly onto the back of the sporran.