Sporrans, etc, from V.I.P. Reenactor's Leather...

[Derek Conley]

I was at the local Sarasota Medieval Fair today and was told by some friends of mine to go check out the booth for V.I.P. Reenactor's Leather. Went over and asked about sporrans, etc, and the very friendly owners indicated which items they make which are used as such.

I checked the pricing and was blown away. I then asked if this was their "usual" pricing or if stuff was marked down due to it being the last day. I was assured it was the regular pricing, which was confirmed by other friends of mine who order from them often.

Here is the sporran I purchased for $40. Let me know your thoughts!



For $6 I bought the belt... the owner then punched holes into it and fitted it to me.

The following pics just show a quick selection, as this vendor does not have a website. I'm posting with the permission of the owners to show their product and pricing... as I wanted to share this with fellow X-Markers.

The following pics show most of the non-furred ones, which are generally $20 - $25. (the small ones on the far left in the 1st pic are like $10 - $15 I think)





And their card, because I thought it looked cool (sorry, the pic quality is crap); their e-mail address for anyone interested is TIMEIN@COMCAST.NET

[Big Mikey]

That is some nice product! And great pricing!

[OFCJAX]

I'm gonna check them out.

[Derek Conley]

Do you think the one I purchased be used as a semi-formal?

[McMurdo]

Do you think the one I purchased be used as a semi-formal?

I would say it is a fine day wear sporran, as it is a Rob Roy style I'm not sure that I would call it semi-formal, however you may be able to make it work.

[Panache]

In terms of value it looks like you got a great deal and that sporran will serve you well (I agree with Glen's opinion about it being day wear though) .

I have to say that I personally am not enamoured of fancy / modern clasps with the simple Rob Roy / bag style sporrans.

Simple drawstrings around a horn knob or simple Celtic button look better to my eye.

Cheers

Jamie

[Downix]

I was eyeing them, if I had $40 one would have come home with me.

[puffer]

Do you think the one I purchased be used as a semi-formal?

Derek, GREAT post.
One of the interesting things I have observered, and commented on, is that there are some Fantastic buys out there for "sporrans". We just need to ADJUST our "THINKING" A "SPORRAN" is a "BELT PURSE" (in my BP/ML community. they are called "posibility bags") & your "FIND" is a prime example that if we are willing to "adapt", we can add to our "sporran" collectios VERY resonably.

As to using your choice for a "Semi formal" sporran ?? If by that you mean wearing it out to dinner, a play, etc,( wearing a "contemory style argyle", vest & tie, in place of a 3 piece "civilian" suit) IMHO - YES !!! I wear "similar" sporrans all the time for "evening" wear. ( W/O fur,& With fur, dependig on how "dressy" I feel) How have my choices been accepted ?? Well, I have "BASICALLY RETIRED" my "civilan" suits.

BTW, I PREFER the the "modern" clasps, in many cases, because they, IMHO, give me the "contemporary" look I prefer.

Puffer

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

A great looking day wear sporran, at a really good price. Just hope it doesn't smell bad in damp weather. Just kidding. I think it would work okay for what's now called "business attire" (the traditional suit and tie) for an evening out, but it falls short of being something you'd want to wear with black/white tie.

I'm basically in the same tent as Panache when it comes to the clasp; that said, I'm a real traditionalist. My reaction isn't based on that it looks bad, but that it isn't "trad".

Like I said, nice sporran, nice price!

[Derek Conley]

BTW, I PREFER the the "modern" clasps, in many cases, because they, IMHO, give me the "contemporary" look I prefer.

Puffer

Oddly enough, the clasp was something which did draw me to that one. I think it adds a bit of flash to it overall!

I was eyeing them, if I had $40 one would have come home with me.

You were there?! Which day?