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  1. #1
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    Advice on Sporran issues

    Hey, all.

    I'm a new kilt owner, having recently acquired a complete formal kit in advance of my upcoming wedding. I have been doing a good deal of reading on highland garb, but I have nevertheless a few sporran issues on which I would like to get some advice.

    1. What is a good guideline for determining the proper positioning of the sporran? Can it be said with any consistency that one's sporran should hang x inches below one's belt or x inches from the top of one's kilt, or from some other point of reference?

    2. Is it considered a major mismatch to wear a fur sporran informally? I known day sporrans and semi-dress sporrans are more acceptable for such settings, but have a few informal events to go to before I am likely to get a chance to go shopping for one of those.

    Thanks for the comments!

    Cirthalion

  2. #2
    Southern Breeze's Avatar
    Southern Breeze is offline Oops, it seems this member needs to update their email address
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    First off,welcome aboard. You've found the best place there is for kilt advice. As for sporran placement, take some time and go through the pics section. You'll be able to see what works better than any written explanation.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cirthalion
    1. What is a good guideline for determining the proper positioning of the sporran? Can it be said with any consistency that one's sporran should hang x inches below one's belt or x inches from the top of one's kilt, or from some other point of reference?

    2. Is it considered a major mismatch to wear a fur sporran informally? I known day sporrans and semi-dress sporrans are more acceptable for such settings, but have a few informal events to go to before I am likely to get a chance to go shopping for one of those.
    The guideline I've heard is that the sporran should be 1 hand width below the bottom of the belt. Depending on your proportions this could be too low and the sporran may bounce off your thighs when you walk.

    I tend to let the sporran ride higher to prevent the bouncing. I don't think it looks misplaced.

    It sounds like you know the answer to your second question To the average person, they probably will not notice. Someone who is knowledgable of scottish attire will notice but not say anything. A person who thinks they are knowledgable of Scottish attire will notice and say something :rolleyes: so it won't hurt to have a response ready.

    Scottish clothing is not cheap so it is completely understandable to "make do" with what you have for a while. Been there, done that

    Another option is to leave the sporran at home. It would be appropriate to be without a sporran. It adds to the look but is not required.

  4. #4
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    Hey welcome,

    Don't know that this is advice...I'm guessing my new buffalo hair sporran would qualify as "fur" and I've been wearing it steady since it came in a week or so ago. I don't have "formal" stuff, so I'm by definition informal.

    Loving wearing it to work and about town. Its breaking in nicely too.

    Understand its your wedding so you wanna make things "right." Just know there are a bunch of us kilted krazies out there pushing the envelope for the sheer delight of it.

    Ron
    Ol' Macdonald himself, a proud son of Skye and Cape Breton Island
    Lifetime Member STA. Two time winner of Utilikiltarian of the Month.
    "I'll have a kilt please, a nice hand sewn tartan, 16 ounce Strome. Oh, and a sporran on the side, with a strap please."

  5. #5
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    I would probably go without, rather than w/ the fur for day-wear. If people didn't wear fur sporrans in the day then there would be no good pictures of them outdoors. A day sporran from SWK would be at your door in about 3 days usually (in the USA). O'Neille

  6. #6
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    Welcome!

    I don't know if you are a sizable fellow or not.. I am.. I have wear my sporran a bit on the high side.. That way it stays on top for my belly and doesn't slide under, that causes my kilt to pucker.. I don't want that..

    If fur is all ya got, wear it! Walk tall and proud and no one will notice!
    [B]Paul Murray[/B]
    Kilted in Detroit! Now that's tough.... LOL

  7. #7
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    It's the general rule that fur sporrans are for formal settings. But, I'm actually thinking about making one with some pretty sweet brown faux fur from Hobby Lobby and one of those cantle sets from SWK. And, that would be in an informal setting. Like Ron (Riverkilt) said, there's a bunch of us kilted crazies out there pushing the enevlope.

  8. #8
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    As far as proper placement of your sporran, I too will vote for just on the high side. It doesn't flap around as much. Don't concern yourself with wearing your fur sporran as daywear. A good looking sporran is always fashionable. Concern yourself more with fending off the ladies. They are drawn to a kilted lad like moths to the flame.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tattoobradley
    But, I'm actually thinking about making one with some pretty sweet brown faux fur from Hobby Lobby and one of those cantle sets from SWK.
    I did that. The cantle set is from SWK. I used fabric cement to apply faux fur to some cowhide that I precut. I backed the cantle with red satin so it shows through the lattice.


  10. #10
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    Arrow

    Quote Originally Posted by Cirthalion
    1. What is a good guideline for determining the proper positioning of the sporran? Can it be said with any consistency that one's sporran should hang x inches below one's belt or x inches from the top of one's kilt, or from some other point of reference?

    2. Is it considered a major mismatch to wear a fur sporran informally? I known day sporrans and semi-dress sporrans are more acceptable for such settings, but have a few informal events to go to before I am likely to get a chance to go shopping for one of those.
    1. As far as sporran position I find a hands width from the bottom of the belt (if your wearing a belt - and you really should be unless wearing a waistcoat)to work the best.

    2. I think it depends on your specific sporran. The ones with the metal cantles are formal and I would go without a sporran before wearing one of those in a informal setting. There are however sporrans that are similar to the leather daywear you often see that are in the daywear style but are completely fur covered. It is my understanding that these are semi-formal and appropriate for informal affairs. Additionally there are the full mask sporrans which can also be worn informally (though I think they would look a bit formal with a t-shirt and scruched down hose).

    The question you have to ask yourself is "How much of a traditionalist am I?". Only you can answer that. Whatever you decide you'll be one up on the bifurcated masses. Good Luck and Good Kilting.
    Last edited by Sindarius; 20th August 06 at 08:13 AM.

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