Formal Sporran Options that Don't Use Fur

[jfellrath]

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm glad to see that everyone who responded thinks you can have a formal sporran without using the fur. I've seen quite a few options online that I think look VERY formal without using fur.

To me, workmanship is the real factor in whether an item is formal or not. If someone goes out of their way to make a product that looks classy and portrays the attitude of "yes, I am going to some extra effort to look nice for this event," then that's a formal item.

I just wanted to see how everyone else felt about that as I don't want to be insulting to a potential event host by wearing something that is not considered proper, particularly in the realm of a style of dress I care about.

[auld argonian]

I guess that I'm just curious....is your objection to fur purely on aesthetic grounds or do you have a moral objection to the use of animals for their fur? I certainly don't want to start a fur/anti-fur hubbub but it occured to me that if you didn't want to wear fur on principle, your host would be ungracious to criticise you for your decision if that were the case.

Best

AA

[Prester John]

Um, what about just using fake fur?

I know I've seen at least one sporran using it. I think through Scottish Lion, but I could be corrected on that.

[Graham]

We have a cat that I have nicknamed "sporran", I used to tell my kids when they were young that the cat was my next sporran (just to encourage them, as a father should)

Seriously, I see not need of fur for a formal sporran. The sporrans already mentioned look fine to me.

[David Dalglish]

You can just use leather for a dress sporron, I use one which is very nice (would have posted a pic. but something wrong with photobucket at the moment)

[Bob C]

I guess I'm in the minority. I think a formal sporran should be fur, with a silver cantle. I think those leather ones with a cantle are a very poor compromise.

There are plenty of inexpensive fur and fake fur sporrans available. If you're going to dress formally, you should get one.

[McClef]

I saw a beautiful sporran in Inverness that had no fur and would have been very suitable.

The price tag of £99.00 put me off though.

I have also been wondering if there are such things as leatherette (fake leather) sporrans for people who are vegans.

[auld argonian]

One would think that sporrans made of some really fine fabric would be dressy or good for the vegan crowd...trouble is that the leather holds its shape so much better.

Best

AA

[beerbecue]

I am looking at bovine sporrans...

Since you are going to buy leather anyway, have a look at sporrans made with cattle hair.

It is short and sleek, more similar to seal than rabbit. The rabbit and muskrat (musquash) are just too 'fuzzy' for my taste.

http://www.scottishcrofters.com/sporrans.htm has some that look very nice.

If it is price that is stopping you, then these won't help I suppose.

[McClef]

My 30 + year old dress sporran is seal.

I wouldn't buy a new one made of seal now but I consider its age doesn't make me support the current day seal trade, just as antique ivory is allowed.