IDEAL v. BUDGET

[Bugbear]

Thank you, that's very good to know.

[McMurdo]

Thanks for clearing that up.

* I had considered a Mcmurdo style skunk sporran.

* Oops, I forgot about the Celtic Croft sporran.

It was my understanding, after I bought the sporran, that a black tie sporran should have fur with a metal cantle. I think Panache has a picture back there. It's black leather with the chromed cantle, and has leather leafe work of some sort on the front.

Ted, the Skunk Sporran I have is a Ferguson Britt I got it from the Scottish Tartan Museum when they were having a sale on. I do not wear it for formal events as I do have a Sealskin L&M which I prefer for such outings. My first formal wear sporran was the economy dress sporran from Celtic Croft, for what it is it's a fine sporran. Though I did give it to another member of the forum who was looking for a dress sporran, as I was not wearing it any longer.

[TheNaughtyScot]

The key I believe in saving pennies is to find versatile items that can go either way, day or night, budget or ideal. I suppose the truly ideal situation would be having an entirely custom-tailored outfit for each of your occassions. I am on the truly budget situation.

I acquired an acrylic kilt that is woven, hemmed, and sewn in the same manner as a fully fashioned kilt, so no one knows the difference. One of the countries that is still wearing kilts and mass producing them is India, so they have some cheap items to get you by such as sporrans or jackets. It can be a risky purchase, although a good tailor can adjust it for you. As for the shoes, oxford shoes will do just fine.

I wear a pair from military school that I've shined to mirrors - only cost me two dollars. Buy colored soccer socks for both day and evening wear, cream or white hose don't really look as good as colored ones. The flashes will probably come with your kilt if you find a bargain. Or you could buy some 1" cloth ribbon from the fabric store and tie them on like the old-fashioned flashes for less than a dollar.

Another creative way to cut costs that I've seen on X Marks is to build your own full mask sporran. I would just buy a cheap leather casual sporran that they sell for 10-15 dollars plus a full raccoon, skunk, or possum hide that they sell at hunting/wildlife shows. Then apply the hide with super glue to the sporran. You could even set marble eyes and some cotton stuffing to get the full face if you wanted to do so. But I've seen a smart-looking gentleman with an eyeless raccoon sporran that looked very proper, so you certainly don't have to go that far. Then you would have a sporran for both day and evening wear.

[Nick the DSM]

Okay, cool. So I'll buy a pair of Lewis hose to use for both day and evening wear.

[Panache]

I've seen (and admired) both velvet and leather evening sporrans.

Velvet?

MoR,

I am intrigued.

You wouldn't happen to have a photo would you?

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Bugbear]

Hmmm, I assumed MOR was talking about velvet underlays on a leather sporran..., but maybe not...

Thanks for the information McMurdo.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Velvet?

MoR,

I am intrigued.

You wouldn't happen to have a photo would you?

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

No, I don't have a photo, I'm sorry to say. The one I saw being worn was at a Knights of Malta ball held in the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh ten or fifteen years ago. It was a very deep sea-green with gilt tassels and finely engraved silver gilt cantle, and about the size of a modern seal skin sporran. I suspect the velvet may have been backed by very heavy buckram, or pehraps vellum, to keep the bag from loosing its shape.

I also seem to remember seeing one in the National Museum in Edinburgh, although it may have been on display at Kinloch Anderson's in Leith, or possibly in the Kelvin Grove in Glasgow. I honestly can't recall.

[Bugbear]

That is intriguing... And the first I have heard of such a sporran. Yet another item to add to the list of non-cookiecutter highland attire.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

That is intriguing... And the first I have heard of such a sporran. Yet another item to add to the list of non-cookiecutter highland attire.

Well that's it, isn't it? Things like this give one the chance to be just like everyone else, but at the same time just that little bit different.

[MacLowlife]

There was talk of cantles above. Interestingly, over at the thread with photos of HRH The Duke of Rothesay ( AKA Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales ) we can see him wearing a mostly brown smooth leather sporran with a (white/silver) metal cantle- in broad daylight. With a navy-charcoal jacket and vest and a four in hand tie. Presumably, in his case budgetary limits are not a basis for choice.