A single sporran for very casual to semi-formal?

**creagdhubh** · 15th May 12, 06:10 AM

What is all of this talk about "semi-formal?" It is my understanding that there is Highland day attire and Highland
evening attire, with levels of formality based upon contextual factors. There is certainly no need to further complicate things!

Cheers,

**artificer** · 15th May 12, 06:21 AM

I would wear a brass cantle for casual or formal functions, especially if it was either antique or inspired by those antique pieces.
Otherwise a full mask would be my go-to for casual to formal (if my wife didn't hate them so very much).

ith:

**davidlpope** · 15th May 12, 06:43 AM

Here's a photo of the sporran Kyle referenced:

My other sporran, a full mask Badger, also has a brass cantle. I didn't plan it that way, but they seem to do the job.

I keep my eyes peeled, though, for a vintage silver cantle...

**Tobus** · 15th May 12, 06:52 AM

Yes, I can see how that particular brass-cantle sporran could go formal, since it's a hair sporran. That might be a little much for casual, though, unless you're really trying to make a statement! And then again, a brass cantle with plain leather bag would look great for casual, but might be a little sub-par for formal. IMHO, the cantle itself is very versatile, but probably needs to have interchangeable bags for best effect.

What is all of this talk about "semi-formal?" It is my understanding that there is Highland day attire and Highland
evening attire, with levels of formality based upon contextual factors. There is certainly no need to further complicate things!

I agree, Kyle, that the term "semi-formal" is just plain weird. But still, there surely ought to be some descriptor for evening wear that doesn't rise to the level of black tie or white tie. What term would you use for attire worn after 6pm that doesn't go beyond a black Argyle jacket and necktie?

**creagdhubh** · 15th May 12, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

Otherwise a full mask would be my go-to for casual to formal (if my wife didn't hate them so very much).

Oh noooo!!!

**creagdhubh** · 15th May 12, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I agree, Kyle, that the term "semi-formal" is just plain weird. But still, there surely ought to be some descriptor for evening wear that doesn't rise to the level of black tie or white tie. What term would you use for attire worn after 6pm that doesn't go beyond a black Argyle jacket and necktie?

Good question, Tobus. I would consider the wearing of a black 'Argyll' style jacket, complete with silver buttons and worn with a necktie after 6pm, to be Highland evening attire.

Cheers,

**creagdhubh** · 15th May 12, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

Here's a photo of the sporran Kyle referenced:

My other sporran, a full mask Badger, also has a brass cantle. I didn't plan it that way, but they seem to do the job.

I keep my eyes peeled, though, for a vintage silver cantle...

Yes indeed, David! Thanks for sharing.

**Jock Scot** · 15th May 12, 07:13 AM

OK once again.

In kilt terms and UK terms we have formal, smart and casual. There is no such thing as semi-formal. Now "smart" and "casual" have dozens of interpretations that common sense and experience should be the guide.

"Formal" is really split in two, day and evening. For day formal(morning suit equivalent) then the black , silver buttoned , barathea argyll with traditional tie (not bow) is the jacket for the job.

For "formal" evening kilt attire(tux/dinner suit) a black silver buttoned argyll can be worn(with minor adjustments) with a black(bow) tie, but more normally a PC or some such and black(bow)tie is "formal" evening attire and onto the rather less common "formal" white tie attire.

Now these are the basics, but there are perfectly acceptable exceptions that we need to be aware of. For example it is perfectly acceptable to wear say smart day wear (tweed argyll)to take the girlfriend out for a quiet evening dinner, or smart (not formal) evening drinks do.

Likewise it is quite acceptable to wear your black, silver buttoned argyll to a formal day wedding and then go on to the evening bash wearing the same outfit. In all cases judgement and common sense are required as rigid "rules" do not cover these details.

Sorry about that, I had an important phone call arrive, so moving on to sporrans. Here, I think is where it is easy to "gild the lily" to almost disastrous effect. The fur mask sporran is the "do-it-all" sporran. Nowadays not every-one's choice, certainly not mine. So for day-wear a plain brown/black leather sporran does for almost all day events, and for me I am very happy to wear plain black to formal day events too, provided I am not a main player at the event.

For minor formal evening attire these days, I personally am happy to wear a plain black leather sporran. Anything more formal, a Silver cantled leather sporran with silver topped tassels does me well. It is here that the sporran makers art can let rip and be put on show to best advantage.

Semi-formal? Neither fish nor fowl, in my humble opinion.

**creagdhubh** · 15th May 12, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

OK once again.

In kilt terms and UK terms we have formal, smart and casual. There is no such thing as semi-formal. Now "smart" and "casual" have dozens of interpretations that common sense and experience should be the guide.

"Formal" is really split in two, day and evening. For day formal(morning suit equivalent) the the black , silver buttoned , barathea argyll with traditional tie (not bow) is the jacket for the job.

For "formal" evening kilt attire(tux/dinner suit) a black silver buttoned argyll can be worn(with minor adjustments) with a black(bow) tie, but more normally a PC or some such and black(bow)tie is "formal" evening attire and onto the rather less common "formal" white tie attire.

Now these are the basics, but there are perfectly acceptable exceptions that we need to be aware of. For example it is perfectly acceptable to wear say smart day wear (tweed argyll)to take the girlfriend out for a quiet evening dinner, or smart (not formal) evening drinks do.

Likewise it is quite acceptable to wear your black, silver buttoned argyll to a formal day wedding and then go on to the evening bash wearing the same outfit. In all cases judgement and common sense are required as rigid "rules" do not cover these details.

Thanks Jock, I knew you'd chime in sooner or later!

***

Cheers,

**fluter** · 15th May 12, 07:19 AM

I use the Ferguson Britt Glengyle in just this way. This is the same sporran as Jamie's from looks #6-7, different fur:

Actually I had been eyeing the black sporran, but Jamie's wife got to it first. All's well, though. When I saw this one, I was glad that it worked out that way!