IDEAL v. BUDGET

[Bugbear]

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

Thanks for the information McMurdo.

[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.

[thescot]

I'm here to get advice, as my tastes are suspect (even from my own POV); so, I'll not give any. So, of course, I have one question: In addition to a sweater as an alternative choice, casual evening can include the tweed jackets and/or the black argyll (without the ties and waistcoats) as a sports-jacket equivalent? BTW, I appreciate everyone's input.

This really is a cool thread.

I would hazard to say that an argyl in barathea is similar to a suit coat rather than a sport coat. It's kind of dressy what with the silver buttons and all, so I would opt for a tweed as the sport coat equivalent. Of course, if you can put plain buttons on it and use those silver button covers for fancier occassions, I guess that's another option.

Of course, since Americans have become such boors in matters of dress, it really doesn't much matter. "Casual" can mean anything that is not "naked," I suppose, and even that nakedness thing is probably OK in many circles. (Unless someone like me shows up. and then it's just gross! I am well past the stage of looking good naked.)

Tonight, we'll gather for a casual kilted evening at the pub, and I'll wear a sweater with a plain shirt underneath, a rather plain bonnet, and black shoes and sporran. Kind of a cross between casual and very casual.

When in doubt, listen to Matt and Jock. Opt for quality, and don't let the cost deter you from the forgotten practice of saving for your purchase. Even a failry expensive kilt or sporaan can be paid for fairly shortly if you are determined. (For the very young, forget that as it pertains to the kilt. Buy cheap and replace as you "expand yor horizons.")

I started to respong to Matt's original post when he first put it up, then I was called away, and the smarter folks beat me to it. Just one word of advice: don't forget ebay. You can get some very nice quialty used stuff there if you are persistent.

[Jack Daw]

Thanks for the advice!

[dfmacliam]

Thanks MOR!

[Jack Daw]

For casual, I plan on donning a tweed (sans tie), sweater or short leather jacket depending on the autumn and winter temps.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Yo Ted!

There is nothing wrong with a rabbit fur sporran for black tie-- it's just that in "the ideal world" something that isn't "fuzzy"-- like sheared beaver, sable, or ermine-- would be a cost-no-object option.

[Bugbear]

Yo Ted!

There is nothing wrong with a rabbit fur sporran for black tie-- it's just that in "the ideal world" something that isn't "fuzzy"-- like sheared beaver, sable, or ermine-- would be a cost-no-object option.

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.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Thanks for clearing that up.

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.

While most evening wear sporrans do have a metal cantle, a lot of them don't-- most full mask fur sporrans don't have any cantle at all. There is also no hard and fast rule that requires evening sporrans to be fur or hair-- I've seen (and admired) both velvet and leather evening sporrans. About the only custom one needs to observe regarding a dress sporran, is that it should (probably) be fancier than one worn "oot an' aboot" during the day.