Formal Sporran with Tweed Argyll

[KennethSime]

I was watching the latest Kilts + Culture episode, and one of the hosts brought up a good question.

How do folks feel about wearing a formal fur sporran along with a tweed argyll, say at a Highland games?

I've always just worn a plain leather day sporran to such events.

I'm starting to plan my wedding outfit for next year, and will likely wear tweed (even after hours). I wonder if I might wear a formal sporran along with my tweed argyll?

Picture for reference, although I detest the monotone outfit here - and the rouche tie.

grey-tweed-jacket-formal-kilt-outfit.jpg

[Troglodyte]

You will receive a range of opinions in response to your query, but, in general terms, there are a few factors to bare in mind.

Smart is not the same as formal, and whilst tweed can appear very smart indeed, it is essentially informal. In the UK, tweed is casual-wear, being the work clothes of ghillies and gamekeepers, and the preference of sporting gents.

Allthough it is now seldom heard, a tweed jacket is known by soldiers as a change-coat, and a half-change by schoolboys. Meaning it is the garment of choice when lounging around off duty, for its informality and casual comfort.

There are no written rules, but convention governs what is thought proper, and the less ornate the sporran, the better suited it is for daytime activities.

But a wedding is quite a different situation all together.

The bride's preferences set the rules to follow, and dressing up an informal (albeit very smart) tweed-and-kilt outfit with a more ornate 'trimmed' sporran is going to upset no-one. What some would call evening sporrans (the fur front and metal trimmed sort) are often seen here in Scotland at Highland Games.

The fluffy white and silver-trimmed sporrans are best left of evening use, but a mid- or dark-toned fur sporran with a metal cantle can work very well. The chrome finish can be too shiny, an the 'antique' finish looks better in daylight anyway.

The trick is knowing how to carry it off. No matter how smart and formal garments are, if they are worn loose, sloppy and slovenly, that is how they will appear - and be recorded for ever on the photos..! Conversely, good tweeds worn neatly will find approval in even the most critical eye.

The picture has been taken at a Games in Scotland, and perhaps gives you the answer you need.

Ballater Games 1.jpg

[figheadair]

For a daytime wedding I would always wear tweed but probably not a hair sporran. They were popular during the Victorian era but are generally reserved for evening wear (Black, or White, Tie) which is my preference for them.

For an after hours wedding I'd opt for something plain and less 'country' but still not formal. I usually pair this with my Celtic Revival silver cantle sporran which dates to 1896.

What I've worn at both type of events.

Tweed and plain.jpg

[McMurdo]

I wore a tweed argyll and waistcoat with a sealskin dress sporran at my wedding. It worked very well. As a guest at a more recent wedding I wore a tweed Argyll and waistcoat with a plain leather day sporran. The dress sporran elevated the outfit as the groom.

Here is the outfit from my wedding


At the more recent wedding as a guest, this group shot shows a variety of different options

[MurrayInGA]

I'm a fan of the look and I doubt you'll have any problem making it work. I wore my formal sporran to Stone Mtn last year on Sunday(felt like dressing up I suppose). Wore it with my charcoal arrochar argyll. I think for anything lighter in color jacket-wise, I'd go with leather/simpler sporran.
IMG_4261 (2).jpg

[KennethSime]

Thank you all very much for your feedback.

I'm going to put together a few options this weekend and take some photos, then ask for a bit more feedback. I still have a long time to plan. :-)