Brown for Day, Black for Night

[Tim B]

So, with no "hard rules" regarding brown/brass vs. black/silver, am I correct to assume that a silver or pewter kilt pin would be okay with brass and brown?

[macwilkin]

You will find this isn't necessarily true, Colonel MacNeal. Many Highland gentlemen wear black shoes with the kilt, with brown sporrans.

Aye, such as HRH the Duke of Rothesay:



And I would add my voice to those recommending a brown day sporran from Xmarks' original sporran maker, Freelander Sporrans.

Regards,

Todd

[george7]

I've been told that for daywear, it should be brown sporran, brown shoes, brown belt, horn sgian dubh, brass belt buckle, etc. Problem is, there are so few brown and brass accessories out there.

For example: Frugal Corner has a few brass belt buckles, but most are silver color. They don't have any brown sporrans except for a brown goatskin with siilver cantle. (see link) Would this be appropriate for daywear?

http://www.thefrugalcorner.com/sporrans.htm

Thanks in advance, ColMac

PS - what are Frugal Corner's 16 ounce kilts like?

Frugal Corners kilts are 'Frugal'

I think the brown/black advice is patooey. There are very nice brown dress sporrans and there are very nice black day sporrans.

If you just like brown accessories, USA Kilts has a whole page dedicated to them.

[wyldathart]

Just wear what looks best to you ! Mixing things up just makes it interesting

[Jock Scot]

I would not get too wound up about it ,if I were you.

[ForresterModern]

I guess to simplify what is being said in a variety of ways above:

1. brown and brass are okay for general day wear but so are black and silver.
2. match your leathers if you can---brown with brown and black with black, generally
3. most evening wear is going to be a bit more formal and will likely then be black and silver/chrome, but not always
4. fur mask sporrans are appropriate any time of day, regardless of color or species
5. there are styles of sporran which are designated as dress, semi-dress, and daywear but there is some overlap and if you don't have precisely the right type you may look out of place but nobody is going to evict you from the premises
6. most folks won't wear brown leather stuff as dressy evening wear but some will and will pull it off well
7. you can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but usually somebody will have a differeing opinion, and that is okay.
8. always carry a full flask of fine single malt whisky (Scotch whiskey to us yanks) in your sporran when you head out of the house, and partake liberally if someone gives you grief about your outfit. (Aw, heck, just partake liberally anytime.)

I personally have both brown and black accessories, including ghillie brogues for my size 13 feet, almost all with silver metal trim rather than brass. Some of my leatherwear is actually both black and brown to go either way. I have casual daywear and dress sporrans , but nothing I would call semidress, but I have a white fox mask sporran to fill that need for now.

I am starting to feel like a little girl with a Barbie doll-----accessorize, accessorize. I guess the old women's adage about matching your shoes with your purse IS appropriate even in Highlandwear.

[thescot]

Don't lose any sleep over either the brown or the black leather deal. If Jock says it's OK, then you know you're in keeping with highland traditions standards. Jock lives there, unlike 99% of the rest of us.

But then . . .(you knew it was coming) . . . brown for day wear is quite nice and always in good taste. It's just a little less dressy, and too much silver during the day just doesn't look right to me. (You'll notice that HRH the Duke of Rothesay is pretty subdued in his dress, even if his shoes are black!)

A nice brown belt with brass buckle is a very good look. I highly recommend our friend and brother-in-kilts, CavScout at Oconnee Leatherworks for the best quality you can find and a reasonable price. http://oconeeleatherworks.com/Belts.htm

And if you get the sporran strap to match with brass appointments, you'll being turning all the girls' heads.

[bricelythgoe]

I don't know how many of you believe what is said in the book SO YOUR GOING TO WEAR THE KILT!, but in their it does state that brown is for day wear and black is for more fomal wear. With that in mind, I hate brown so I wear black all the time.

[macwilkin]

I don't know how many of you believe what is said in the book SO YOUR GOING TO WEAR THE KILT!, but in their it does state that brown is for day wear and black is for more fomal wear. With that in mind, I hate brown so I wear black all the time.

See the photo of HRH the Duke of Rothesay above. While I own a copy of Thompson's book, I think he's a bit outdated on some of his information.

T.

[Bugbear]

I have been told that, without exception , shiney black shoes are required for formal and semi-formal evening attire.
It is easier for me to try to keep the brown separate from the black, but I don't think anyone is saying you have to wear a brown sporran with black shoes, or a black belt with brown shoes and sporran.

That being said, I was taught as a child that brown belts go with brown shoes, and black belts go with black shoes, so blame my American parents for brainwashing me.