Full Mask Sporrans, Good for What Ails You?

[Bugbear]

* sigh *

I do not want to, perhaps, some day buy a sporran only to find out that it is not acceptable, or proper, or "appropriate" for what I thought. I have already done that with a "dress sporran" that doesn't have any hair on it, and is too much of not enough to be used with anything. It looks nice though...

[Phil]

Inspired by that other Limericks thread -

A sporan that one thinks acceptable;
Some others may deem as execrable.
Despite all its charms,
Such as glass eyes and arms,
It will never seem terribly loveable.

[ForresterModern]

I have a beautiful full mask (partially taxidermied) arctic fox sporran without cantle or paws that would look wonderful as a dress sporran but would probably not look right in a casual setting, due to its stark white nature. I also have a (slightly crosseyed) red fox full mask sporran with cantle and without paws (partially taxidermied) which probably would only look good in dressy situations but might pass in some daytime dressy activities. I also have a very primitive "mask" sporran in brown fox which has a flat face and head with absolutely NO taxidermy or eyes, but which looks great with more relaxed daywear and renfair type situations. For me not much in between in the way of a full mask.

I too have seen the extremely taxidermied open mouth snarling full face and jaw with paws mask sporrans, and in my opinion these look like you have a wild animal attacking onlookers out of a hiding place in your crotch. A bit too bulky and realistic for my tastes, albeit beautiful pieces of artisanship.

My ideal would be a nice semi-taxidermied bobcat without claws or cantle---a truly regal animal I would be prowd to wear just about anywhere.

j

[EagleJCS]

I suppose I should relate that the horsehair tassels on my badger sporran are very short - about the length of an old-fashioned shaving brush (about 2 1/2 inches or so). It's not as though they look like the tassels on the military-style horsehair sporrans. I can't remove them easily (and putting them back would be even more difficult), so they stay on no matter what the occasion I'm wearing it. I guess I could tuck them inside during the day - I think the chain's are long enough - but then they'd be in the way of getting things out of the sporran. There's no good solution to accommodate everyone's sensibilities on what's 'the best' for day wear vs. evening wear.

A lot of the discussion of what is appropriate or not is subjective - it's one person's personal opinion. Do the best with what you've got within your means. If you've done your best to meet 'the rules' for the circumstances, then if anyone looks askance at your ensemble, it's their problem, not yours.

[Macman]

I do not want to, perhaps, some day buy a sporran only to find out that it is not acceptable, or proper, or "appropriate" for what I thought. I have already done that with a "dress sporran" that doesn't have any hair on it, and is too much of not enough to be used with anything. It looks nice though...

Ted, I know what you mean, but if you think it looks nice (and I'll bet it does), then wear it.

Back to your original question, and this is just the opinion of one who does not own a mask sporran, but I think the L & M-type full mask sporrans are appropriate for any outfit from casual (say, polo shirt) to evening wear.

[Bugbear]

It was bobcat sporrans, instead of cougar mask sporrans.

Oh well...

[SFCRick]

I have two full face L&M sporrans, one Badger the other Skunk. I have worn both with casual up to formal wear, the only change is a leather sporran strap with most daywear and a nice chain strap with evening/formal wear. I have always received compliments about these. As a side note, I bought the Badger about 4 years ago brand new for $165.00 and the Skunk a year ago off e-bay, new without tags for $101.00 including shipping.
On my avatar I am sporting the Badger.