wearing the sporran

[ehillbaird]

what is the correct hieght for a sporran?

[thescot]

I am guesing that you mean where to wear it.

I try to wear it very near my kilt belt, no more than three fingers or so below. I don't like othe drropy look of wearing it to low, and I have found that it can be quite uncomfortable.

Go here--http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f98/greenville-pics-59601/--and scroll down through the photos.

[BLHS209]

If I remember correctly, I have read that it should be about a fist below the belt buckle. But saying that I went to a book and "the top of a small sporran should not be lower than about a hand's breadth below your navel." Going on -"If you decide to wear your sporran so, however, you must put up with the fact that you will be wearing it a few inches higher than other people." Quote from So You're Going To Wear The Kilt!, by J. Charles Thompson - 3rd revised edition, 1989, pgs 75-76

[ehillbaird]

thank you for all your answers. I want to appologize for the confusion with the question.

[Snowbear]

Wear it how it's most comfortable. When walking around a lot I tend to hang my sporran about 4 fingers beneath my belt. When sitting, I tend to wear it a wee bit lower for the comfort of the sporran pressing the apron down propperly.

[figheadair]

If I remember correctly, I have read that it should be about a fist below the belt buckle. But saying that I went to a book and "the top of a small sporran should not be lower than about a hand's breadth below your navel." Going on -"If you decide to wear your sporran so, however, you must put up with the fact that you will be wearing it a few inches higher than other people." Quote from So You're Going To Wear The Kilt!, by J. Charles Thompson - 3rd revised edition, 1989, pgs 75-76

Oh dear but no! This is not regimental dress we're talking about and there are no rules. My advice is to avoid Scotty Thompson's book like the plague as it's too full of rules that are completely rediculous and have no historical, or inded practical basis such as the only correct shoes for wear with a kilt are black brogues or the sgian dubh is worn in the right sock. The only don't in this is don't wear it too low or will interfer with the hang of the apron.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Oh dear but no! This is not regimental dress we're talking about and there are no rules. My advice is to avoid Scotty Thompson's book like the plague as it's too full of rules that are completely rediculous and have no historical, or inded practical basis such as the only correct shoes for wear with a kilt are black brogues or the sgian dubh is worn in the right sock. The only don't in this is don't wear it too low or will interfer with the hang of the apron.

Peter,

I once had someone who was retired British military criticize my dress because the turn over on the cuff of my hose was either an inch too short, or too long (can't recall now). Point is, it was not "regulation."

I had to politely remind him that I was not in the military and was not wearing a uniform.

I find Thompsons's book to be a handy guide so long as you take what he says as opinion (and 30 to 40 year old opinion, at that) and not the "rule book."

[figheadair]

[QUOTE=M. A. C. Newsome;889125]Peter,

I once had someone who was retired British military criticize my dress because the turn over on the cuff of my hose was either an inch too short, or too long (can't recall now). Point is, it was not "regulation." QUOTE]

Had something similar once where, albeit it in Scotland, someone critcised me for wearing a T-shirt because it wasn't traditional. She of course meant something she knew from her childhood in probably the 1930s rather that 1970. I seem to recall asking whether I should take off my wrist watch as that too wasn't tradtional. All I got was a death stare by way of reply.

[thescot]

. . . My advice is to avoid Scotty Thompson's book like the plague as it's too full of rules that are completely rediculous and have no historical, or inded practical basis . . .

That's not particularly good advice for a novice. The fact is, if a new kilt wearer were to follow the advice to the letter--and it's strictly advice and opinion, and Thompson makes that clear--the new kilt wearer would look very good anywhere he might be. It's very traditional and it is quite conservative.

Traiditionally black brogues are the proper wear with a kilt (see discussions elsewhere a la Jock et al), and most people do wear their sgian's in the right sock.

I always give a copy of the book to any person, especially the young, who wants to start wearing the kilt so as to steer them away from looking like the members of the band, Albanach, or like Mel Gibson in Braveheart.

It's a really good starting place, and, as Thompson says in his book, if you learn what he advises first and then branch out, you'll do fine. Pretty good advice, I think.

[figheadair]

Traiditionally black brogues are the proper wear with a kilt (see discussions elsewhere a la Jock et al), and most people do wear their sgian's in the right sock.

If was are talking tradition from the C19th onward I would agree black brogues have been the norm. Before that not necessarily.

What I don't like about JC's book is his absolutism. I appreciate that it's a guide but to say the only correct this or that, way etc is simply wrong. Not that I wear a sgain dubh but when I did, being left handed, I wore it in my left sock.