Black belt or brown???

[denmcdough]

I just purchased a fantastic IoS kilt (see Marchbrae IoS). I also purchased a nice brown belt for it, but I don't have a brown sporran. Since I'm rather tapped out for cash at the moment, would a balck sporran look OK with this kilt and a brown belt?? Obviously, when I have some more $$, I'll purchase a brown sporran. In the mean time, what say you?

[OC Richard]

I've seen loads of old photos of men wearing brown sporrans with black waistbelts and black shoes, so it seems that the idea of having all the leather match wasn't very important.

[Chas]

Hi Den,

The reason that black is the most popular colour for leather when it comes to kilting is that black is black is black - shoes, kilt belt, sporran belt, kilt straps.

On the other hand brown is light or dark or oxblood or English tan or anywhere in between.

I think you have to go with the black sporran for the time being. Later, when funds are not as tight, buy a matching brown sporran, but also a black belt.

Regards

Chas

[McMurdo]

wear what you like for now you can worry about matching later if you want.

[RockyR]

An idea to help the 'matching' aspect is to (when funds allow) get a sporran that has BOTH Brown and Black color in it. This way, you can wear a brown OR black belt and brown OR black Ghillie Brogues and you'll be ok with the "matchy matchy police" (of which I am one, I admit).

[MacBean]

At the Clan Chattan Confederation re-Banding last year, I noticed a number of chiefs with black belts and brown sporrans. Shoes were brown or black and quite varied in style. Not saying that this was evening wear, but it almost seemed that their dress was intentionally idiosyncratic. The overall effect was lovely. These were clothes, not costumes.

[Raphael]

Another option to wear the black sporran without the brown belt!

[jordanjm]

Another idea is that you can get a waist coat, and then drop the belt. From what I have been told Black is for evening wear, and brown is for day wear. I like matching leathers, so I have a Black Sporran, (Which I made), a brown one (Purchased from What Price Glory, $10.00 American), and a Fur Sporran (Which I Made). Making sporrans are not hard, and if you take a pattern into a Tandy Leather Factory Store they will help you with. A good location for a pattern is So You're Going to Wear the Kilt.

[Tobus]

Personally I like to match. I would no more mix a brown belt with a black sporran than I would wear different colored socks. But I do admit I'm incredibly fussy and possibly a little bit neurotic sometimes over trivial details, while letting major stuff go wild.

In the end, though, it's not a big deal if you're not perfectly color coordinated in your leather accoutrements. A lot of people do it, apparently, and it's unlikely anyone is ever going to call you out on it or even think about it for more than two seconds.

I would think it's more important to match the belt and shoes (although that's certainly not a universal thing either), and the sporran can be whatever color it likes.

Rocky's idea is great, though. A two-tone sporran would be a great compromise when you drum up the funds for another.

[GG]

Well, I'm for black with black and brown with brown, too, but after all, it isn't that big deal.
In fashion you may see a lot of examples of matching brown and black in fabrics - something that 50 years ago would be unthinkable. You can also buy shoes that are black and brown, or belts in black and brown.

So my advice to you is that you wear your brown belt together with your black sporran and feel confident doing so.

Greg