Sporran Placement

[Jim H.]

Where is a sporran supposed to hit a person as far as the body goes? I know that the sporran should be 3-5" below the belt, and that a kilt should be worn at the naval. Where is a sporran supposed to start? I recently had one custom made, and it's getting slightly refitted so where exactly do I want it landing on my person?

[McMurdo]

About 3 fingers below the belt, like this:



When in doubt though look through Hamish's Photos, and make sure it doesn't hit you in a sensitive spot.

[Kilted KT]

low enough so it doesn't bang against your belt buckle, but high enough so it is comfortable to walk with, and reduces the potential for ...ahem..."injury"

[orangehaggis]

The rule of thumb is a hand's breadth below your navel. However, before Victorian times, you'd see the sporran worn at the hip. I've seen a local British goods shop owner do this with period dress sporran and Kenmore doublet. It can be very striking!

Military hair sporrans should follow the same rule, but should be cut so that the horsehair hits the bottom edge of the kilt. If the hair sporran is too long, it should be professionaly cut to the correct length, but in a pinch, hike up the sporran so it falls as near as possible to the bottom edge, but is still comfortable.

Mark O - Ohio

[McClef]

Comfort is certainly a factor and a hand's breadth is certainly a good rule of thumb.

Low slung sporrans certainly look wrong and can't be very comfortable!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

And you may want it worn at different heights on different occasions. For instance, when I'm wearing a vest, sweater, or pullover that covers the top of my kilt, I will generally wear my sporran a little lower than normal, so that it is completely clear of my upper garment.

If I am wearing the kilt without any of the above, with a belt (as I normally do), then I wear it at what I consider my "standard" position.

But if for whatever reason I don't wear a kilt belt, I'll wear my sporran a bit higher than normal, just because I think it makes the outfit look better without the belt.

All this is to say there is a range within the sporran should both look and feel comfortable.
Aye,
Matt

[PiobBear]

NEVER shorten a horsehair sporran!



Sporran

• Worn centrally over front apron of kilt
• Generally, the cantle is one hand's breadth below waist belt buckle.
• Some regiments may dictate where the cantle rests within the kilt's set.
• The sporran should square the area between the hips and the knees and hand at a natural arc from the hip.
• Hair sporrans are not trimmed to length
• All parts clean, in good order, and neatly brushed.

Regimental Drum Major's Association

[orangehaggis]

Interesting, Piobear, but I've heard different from more than a few ex-squaddies... I wonder if different regiments have different practises on this?

Mark