What's the story on the huge hairy sporrans

[OC Richard]

On the topic of decoration on jackets, you might have noted that the mid and late 19th century photos I posted of men in "day dress" show jackets which are absolutely plain, without gauntlet cuffs or epaulettes. The same is seen repeatedly in The Highlanders of Scotland, "day" jackets which are plain ordinary jackets.

Both in old photos and in The Highlanders of Scotland, there are sometimes seen men in full Evening Dress finery but wearing jackets which are absolutely plain, black with matching black buttons.

But in the 1930 catalogue gauntlet cuffs and epaulettes do appear on both the Evening and Day jackets.

[saxandpipes]

...

I love the look of this sporran!

Cheers,

Michael

[saxandpipes]

This is my own recently gifted "hideous hairy thing" (to quote my mother who was grateful to have it leave her house! )



The beast being "worn". As of now I'm yet to actually venture out with the thing, of course it's very much an EVENING accessory, at least to me... and even then- it's still very much on the formal side. (Doublet, bow-tie/jabot type deal)


edit: forgot to insert pic.

Cheers!

Michael

[ForresterModern]

I like mask sporans as long as they are not TOO realistic (snarling open mouth type). Long horse hair sporrans have me intrigued as there are many I think look absolutley stunning, and they look most natural on a piper in full regalia. Of the hores haire sporrans I have personally viewed in hand (mostly military or military style) I have come to the conclusion that they are almost purely decoration as they have no or little actual storage space designed into them. Some more modern sporran makers have altered this to actually make them useful as a carrying device, but then a loaded hair sporran would deform the drape of the hair itself defeating part of the purpose I guess.

I still think that for most of them, particularly the darker versions, you only need to add a pair of dark "cheap" sunglasses and, voila', you have a full mask ZZ Topp sporran.

My personal favorites among the horsehair sporrans are those that are neither pure white or pure black with contrasting tassels, but rather those of a middle grey or grey-tan that are less of a striking color clash and more subtle in their appearence. I think Matt displayed one in a recent thread that I was particularly envious of.

jeff

[saxandpipes]

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I still think that for most of them, particularly the darker versions, you only need to add a pair of dark "cheap" sunglasses and, voila', you have a full mask ZZ Topp sporran.

...

jeff

Haha!

Brilliant

Cheers,

Michael

[Tobus]

My personal favorites among the horsehair sporrans are those that are neither pure white or pure black with contrasting tassels, but rather those of a middle grey or grey-tan that are less of a striking color clash and more subtle in their appearence. I think Matt displayed one in a recent thread that I was particularly envious of.

I feel the same way. It's interesting to look at the old portraits and photos from centuries past. Their hair sporrans didn't look new and pretty, with sharp contrasting colour differences. In fact, many of the hair sporrans look filthy and ragged, with the hair often stained towards the bottom (probably from sitting or kneeling, where it might contact the dirt).

The end result was a less contrasting scheme. I like that. It just looks more natural. And I can say from experience, the only time horses have pure white manes and tails is right after you give them a bath (but before they go roll in the dirt to get rid of the clean smell). Some part of me wants a horse hair sporran to actually look like it came off a horse.

[Bob C]

I think those things look awful. Not a chance I'll ever wear one. I respect the right of other people to look silly, though. ;)

[JSFMACLJR]

I think those things look awful. Not a chance I'll ever wear one. I respect the right of other people to look silly, though. ;)

Thanks.

[GoodGirlGonePlaid]

This thread is tempting me to make a coin purse for my daughter, out of her old "My Little Ponies" manes.

[pugcasso]

This thread is tempting me to make a coin purse for my daughter, out of her old "My Little Ponies" manes.

haha...that made me laugh.



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