Good morning, guys! I would love your input. My pipe band is going to be changing their look in the near future. We've gone from a patched-together start-up band of mostly donated Royal Stewart kilts mixed with members' own kilts, to our goal of finally having us as a well dressed unit (as in, kilts should arrive any day now). This will mean new sporrans, new hose, new flashes, and possibly new ties to go with our tartan. The new tartan is City of Dundee in a custom color scheme (no pic yet. ). I've got SOME degree of pull, and would like to go into the band attire conversation as well informed as possible.

After watching The World's into the wee hours streamed live on a projector screen with stereo sound (WEE! AWESOME!) at my pipe major's house with a bunch of my band this weekend, I've taken away very definite opinions about what I like and don't like in pipe band attire. The sporran will be a big topic of conversation. We all want one that can fit some hemp, some wax, some black electrical tape, and emergency reed, and emergency flask, () etc. One that doesn't need wrestled with to open and close, and that looks sharp. What seems most popular and looks the nicest IMHO is a silver cantled black leather hunting sporran. The tassles or petals and the targe vary to a degree from band to band from what I've seen, but in general, it's a nice look that pulls together well with other accessories. I'd like some resources for where to locate a nice, functional sporran of this type for a reasonable cost (In the ballpark of $75 US would keep my head intact, lol). Obviously, the Grade I peeps at the World's aren't so worried about how much these cost, but sadly, my little band does.

http://rghardie.com/products/view/piper_sporrans This is one that I LOVE (both the fur and the black leather)- but as Mama always said, if the price isn't marked, you can't afford it.

Would also love input on other accessories that you particularly like, especially from other pipers. Got a favorite brand of kilt hose (especially with a nice selection of colors?), then please share! Thanks for any help you can provide!