Sporran Questions...

[UmAnOnion]

I am now coming to the end of making my first traditional styled kilt and have come to the conclusion that i need to have a sporran (in part to hold stuff as i didnt put pockets in the kilt and also as the fabric of the trad kilt isnt as stiff as that of the casuals its a bit more revelaing than i am comfortable with! )

So, I am now embarking on making my own Sporran - i like the challenge of making stuff instead of taking the easier route of buying... I have some very stiff textured leather at home (from am upholstery project) along with some softer garment leather (from a project that cannot be discussed in an open forum ) so i am pretty much set for materials. but figuring out the style is the tricky bit.

I have looked at a bunch of sites & prefer the Freelander styled sporran/pouch over the more flat fronted models. Is a freelander styled pouch considered too casual for semi-formal affairs (I have a Burns dinner to go to in a couple weeks that i am making this for primarily).

Also I have seen the sporran straps/belts and will be making/aquiring one of those (Thanks for teh suggestions togo with leather as opposed to all metal to save your kilts wear & tear) BUT i have also seen simple hanging loops that sit on either side of your belt buckle and hold the sporran (see here - 1/2 way down the page) ... any opinions on those???

any and all advice, suggestions & guidance is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Colin

[Riverkilt]

Be creative.

Have fun.

Break some rules if you wanna.

Ron

[davedove]

I have looked at a bunch of sites & prefer the Freelander styled sporran/pouch over the more flat fronted models. Is a freelander styled pouch considered too casual for semi-formal affairs (I have a Burns dinner to go to in a couple weeks that i am making this for primarily).

I really like the Freelander sporrans (and will have to get one someday), but they seem pretty casual to me.

Also I have seen the sporran straps/belts and will be making/aquiring one of those (Thanks for teh suggestions togo with leather as opposed to all metal to save your kilts wear & tear) BUT i have also seen simple hanging loops that sit on either side of your belt buckle and hold the sporran (see here - 1/2 way down the page) ... any opinions on those???

The hanging loops for the sporran would definitely NOT be good for any amount of formality. They work okay, but the look would be all wrong. Keep them for casual wear. I would stick to a simple black strap that goes around the waist to hang the sporran, or if you wanted to go more formal the chain.

[Iolaus]

...as the fabric of the trad kilt isnt as stiff as that of the casuals its a bit more revelaing than i am comfortable with! )

That's what kept me from wearing my SWK when I first got it, but after wearing a Freelander (my one and only sporran) in front for a day, I decided that I didn't appreciate the constant bouncing in front of my crotch. Now I just wear the sporran to the side, and wear underwear. ;)

I have looked at a bunch of sites & prefer the Freelander styled sporran/pouch over the more flat fronted models. Is a freelander styled pouch considered too casual for semi-formal affairs (I have a Burns dinner to go to in a couple weeks that i am making this for primarily).

Most people here will consider it so, but I'd wear what I liked, and devil take the rest... then again, I'm a big advocate of picking and choosing when it comes to "tradition" (When I was a teen, I wore a colored t-shirt to church, under my suit jacket) and I usually do what works for me.

BUT i have also seen simple hanging loops that sit on either side of your belt buckle and hold the sporran (see here - 1/2 way down the page) ... any opinions on those???

It depends on how you're built. If your belt is already on the "down-slope" of your gut, then they're likely to pull it down further. However, if you've got a relatively flat front, or, like me, you wear the sporran on the hip, it'll probably work.

Be creative.

Have fun.

Break some rules if you wanna.

Ron

What he said.

[bubba]

Personally I'm not fond of the sporran hangers. There are times when I slide the sporran to the side for practical reasons and the hangers don't allow that. Generally I wear a pouch style sporran with a strap but if I'm dressing up a bit I wear a black stiff leather sporran with tassels and a chain strap. The main thing is wear what looks best to you when dressing up and what's most practical for you otherwise.

[UmAnOnion]

Be creative.

Have fun.

Break some rules if you wanna.

Ron

This reminded me of a line from one of my favorite movies:
"Rules? Rules are good... BUT THIS IS BIGGER THAN RULES!!!!"

I try to live in accordance to that motto!!!

C.

p.s. bonus points for anyone who can figure out what movie it came from

Side note: I cant beleive i am encouraging thread jacking in my own thread - sheesh!!!

[UmAnOnion]

That's what kept me from wearing my SWK when I first got it, but after wearing a Freelander (my one and only sporran) in front for a day, I decided that I didn't appreciate the constant bouncing in front of my crotch. Now I just wear the sporran to the side, and wear underwear. ;)

That does it - I am reporting you to the Regimental Police!!! ;)

It depends on how you're built. If your belt is already on the "down-slope" of your gut, then they're likely to pull it down further. However, if you've got a relatively flat front, or, like me, you wear the sporran on the hip, it'll probably work.

Thanks to good genes, 9 years as an aerobics instructor, ramrod straight posture & a bunch of really horrifying pics taken last summer i am now back to being as flat as a pancake abs wise so no worries about the belt pulling down due to that. but the bouncing agaisnt the family jewels is a bit of a concern- maybe the belt woudl be better as i coudl swing the sporan off to teh side while walking and then bring it back to the front when in a more staionary mode....


Thanks for all the advise so far guys - i knew i coudl count on you all for the right answers

C.

[Bob C]

Onion, those sack-style sporrans would look very out of place at a gathering with any formality, at all. They definitely don't belong at most Burns dinners. A flat one would be far more versatile.


And, it's just my opinion, but I think those hanger things are some of the most awful things to ever disgrace a kilt.

As others have pointed out, though, it's YOUR rig. Use or discard our advice as you wish.