Sporrans and 'real' sporrans.

[Dale Seago]

So, here's what I've gathered about sporrans - please correct any aspects that are wrong or add any combination I may have left out.

Brown leather = Daywear
Black Leather = Daywear/Informal eveningwear
Black leather + silver = Daywear/Informal eveningwear
Brown Leather + Brass = Daywear
Fur + Silver = Eveningwear, Formal Eveningwear
Fur + Brass = Daywear/Informal Eveningwear/Eveningwear?
Full Mask = Any occasion


Is that correct?

Obviously there will be exceptions to the above, such as an incredibly ornate and well-worked leather sporran that would work formal wear, but is this list acceptable as a general guide to "sporran appropriateness"?

Matt Newsome has a nice "summary" article for kilt wearers at http://albanach.org/advice.htm. Regarding sporrans, he comments that

An all leather sporran in black is ok for formal or casual wear, and an all leather sporran in brown usually for casual wear only.

The article is well worth reading in its entirety. He seems to know a fair bit about the history of Scottish attire; is Director of the Scottish Tartans Museum in North Carolina; makes kilts (and is making two for me right now, or at least will be once the fabric arrives from Scotland); and is a member here.

[Cygnus]

Matt Newsome has a nice "summary" article for kilt wearers at http://albanach.org/advice.htm. Regarding sporrans, he comments that...

Thanks, Dale - I had missed that somehow when perusing Matt's site.

[kiltedwolfman]

Not to thread jack, but I often wonder when and more importantly who made the rules as to what times and purposes you could wear something?

I have very contemporary sporrans, and I wear them to any event at any time I like. I figure I don't have to be a celebrity to get way with breaking the rules.;)

[Cygnus]

I can't answer your question as to who wrote the rules; though Stuart Ruaidri Erskine, C. R. MacKinnon, J. Charles Thompson, and others have written books on the subject.

I figure I don't have to be a celebrity to get way with breaking the rules.;)

I'm all for individuality, but I think there's a fine line between breaking the rules and being ignorant of the rules. Even if you're aware of the rules, if you're excessive in your rule-breaking, you'll appear to simply not know any better. If I wanted to stand out and "bend" the rules, I'd pick one or two rules and break them in a way that is noticeable but not too "loud".

[tulloch]

Richard it seems to me that you might have noticed some people commenting on some of the junk that is out there. Like anything there are sporrans and other accessories that are not well made but are out there and affordable. I recommend getting good quality where you can find it at a good price. I have been careful and am quite happy. I think that good standards for quality are traditional.

[Micric]

Thank you again chaps.

M.O.R,

I didn't thank you for your logical reasons behind sporran choice. Thanks,... It all makes sense!
Also, I have it now, re. fur and brass, etc.

Tulloch,
I too have been fortunate (it would appear!!) re. purchases. I have a good friend living up near Nairn who gathered most things for me from antique emporiums, etc!
My sporran is muskrat, and though in lovely order, cost very little.
Also a plain leather day sporran, though the gusset isn't as wide as in the muskrat, (2" instead of 3") so when I want my wallet in there, + other junk the muskrat seems a better choice!
My questions were to find what more experienced sporran-wearers saw as important in a sporran, And.... if I was wearing what I had in an appropriate manner, Or if I should be looking for something else. It would appear my pal hasn't let me down!

At the recent Highland games, I did see a lot of 'plasticky" looking sporrans, and under my breath thanked my pal for getting me something a bit nicer.....for a good deal less!
Thank you to all for adding to this thread.

This site is a wonderful resource!

Best,
Richard.

[artificer]

Thank you again chaps.

M.O.R,

I didn't thank you for your logical reasons behind sporran choice. Thanks,... It all makes sense!
Also, I have it now, re. fur and brass, etc.

Tulloch,
I too have been fortunate (it would appear!!) re. purchases. I have a good friend living up near Nairn who gathered most things for me from antique emporiums, etc!
My sporran is muskrat, and though in lovely order, cost very little.
Also a plain leather day sporran, though the gusset isn't as wide as in the muskrat, (2" instead of 3") so when I want my wallet in there, + other junk the muskrat seems a better choice!
My questions were to find what more experienced sporran-wearers saw as important in a sporran, And.... if I was wearing what I had in an appropriate manner, Or if I should be looking for something else. It would appear my pal hasn't let me down!

At the recent Highland games, I did see a lot of 'plasticky" looking sporrans, and under my breath thanked my pal for getting me something a bit nicer.....for a good deal less!
Thank you to all for adding to this thread.

This site is a wonderful resource!

Best,
Richard.

It sure sounds like your friend is steering you in the right direction! We should all be so lucky to have a friend like yours when starting out!
You probably owe him a dram (or bottle) of something nice and peaty.

BTW: those 'plasticky' looking ones are the cheap Pakistani imports you might see people go off about occasionally.

[Micric]

Artificer,

Yes, I am very fortunate in having a friend to find things for me!
Actually he's a "she"......(purely Platonic,).......and deserving of a few bottles of the very best (wine, in her case!)
She also found me my Hugh MacPherson argyle jacket, (fits perfectly!!) a couple of belts, a pin, and some very nice hose, all to go with the hand-made 1960's and-still-looking -new worsted Mackenzie kilt that I recieved from her, of which she said she would be honoured if I would wear it.
To me though, it is I who have the greater honour, being given the opportunity to wear such a kilt from such a friend.
I can't even imagine ever looking for another kilt!

I think I'll go and write her a letter.

R.

[auld argonian]

I'm going to have to put a word in for the leather version of the Stillwater Nightstalker sporran. Somewhere back there in another thread long deceased, I mentioned that I liked the "cargo" type sporran...something that will hold everything and have room to spare.

I remember that Jock Scot mentioned that he didn't care for cargo type sporrans but the Stillwater sort of occupies the middle ground. One main zippered compartment and another velcro closing pocket on the front with a small zippered coin purse sized section on the flap of the velcro-ed pocket. The coin purse section is particularly convenient for the urban kiltie...especially one who grew up in this city...since you can just put a few bills in a clip and toss a couple of coins in the coin purse section and be able to whip out your cash without mounting a major expedition to the bottom of your sporran...often speed is essential and you want to complete a transaction before you attract any unwanted attention...like a guy in a kilt in Chicago doesn't attract ANY attention.

The capacity is good for those days that you can't get away with wearing a jacket and having those pockets to fall back on.

Best

AA

[OC Richard]

I just got these images today.

They're an example of another early influence on my notions about Highland Dress, these old tartan books.

As you can see, the Highland Dress shown is on all fours with the dress seen in the catalogues from the 1920s through the 1950s.

In daytime outdoor contexts Highland dress is always shown with a tweed jacket, plain leather sporran, selfcoloured hose, lovat Balmoral bonnet, etc.

In formal evening contexts Highland dress is shown with a black formal jacket, sealskin sporran with silver cantle, tartan or diced full hose, and buckled shoes.





In the mid 19th century, long hair sporrans would have been worn in both contexts, as the sporrans styles above hadn't evolved yet.