Level(s) of formality

[Father Bill]

What was surprising, FP?

Just the limitation. It hadn't occurred to me when looking at some of the manufacturers' sites. I've ordered a brown muskrat from L & M, and I guess it could be Canadian traditional but not Scottish traditional based on your list. It's just the one that most appealed to me. Shipped this morning. (Jones, Jones)

[Terry Searl]

I look forward to seeing photos of the muskrat sporran when you receive it......have they said when you should receive it!

[Father Bill]

I look forward to seeing photos of the muskrat sporran when you receive it......have they said when you should receive it!

Canada Post predicts Wednesday. I have a white tie event in January, but it may likely make its debut ahead of that.

[Edit: Canada Post now says Thursday. It’s Christmas delivery time after all.]

[Father Bill]

Well, the L & M muskrat makes its debut for Hogmanay. A couple of extra pictures for those who have shown an interest.











I find that the head sticks out straight too much when the sporran is loaded. I've put binder clips behind the head to close the top a bit and it hangs much better. If it forms to that, then fine. Otherwise, I may add a couple of internal snaps to replace the clips.

[kingandrew]

Father Bill, you wear it well.

I just returned from a Christmas trip to Lijiang, in the mountains of China's Yunnan Province. The Old Town area of Lijiang is full of leather shops and in one I encountered a rather less refined "full mask" purse. It was certainly the right size, furry, and with a head on the flap. However, the poor critter looked rather like he'd been flattened by a steamroller in an old Tom and Jerry cartoon. I did pose with it in the appropriate position (although I was not kilted--it was rather chilly), but my wife and I agreed that if you're going to go full mask, the head needs to look more natural.

However, the price was tempting: 75 RMB, about $11 US.

The shop also offered various furry coats and hats, some of which looked like they were made from the pelts of Muppets.

Yours sets the bar for what a muskrat sporran should look like, and I fear it probably cost a few dollars more

Happy New Year to you!

Andrew

[Good Egg]

Just a thought. If you wanted to make your sporran more formal you could add some accessories to it. A silver or gold cantle, if such could be fitted.

Cheaper and easier would be woven gold or silver bells like the ones on an Argyle's badgerhead or good chained bells in an interesting pattern.

Not that hard to DIY. You could probably get curtain cords or golden hat cords. Coloured or accented cords could match your kilt. Easy to attach and remove as necessary.

A dressier sporran strap would also change the perceived level of formality of the sporran. I'm not a fan of chains but patten leather would look good. I'm wondering if a white or brocade strap would work. My imagination says yes but the cautious side of me thinks you could end up looking like you're wearing all the shiny things a small child picked up in a bazzare.

[ThistleDown]

Just the limitation. It hadn't occurred to me when looking at some of the manufacturers' sites. I've ordered a brown muskrat from L & M, and I guess it could be Canadian traditional but not Scottish traditional based on your list. It's just the one that most appealed to me. Shipped this morning. (Jones, Jones)

Ah, do I see a white-tie occasion in your future?

I suppose muskrat, beaver, skunk, et al, will become traditional in the future, but for now not very "old-school". Regardless, wear your rodent with joy and abandon

[Father Bill]

Yes, I'm to be installing officer for London Sovereign Chapter of Rose Croix. As such, the officer is normally white tie and tails or equivalent, although black tie would be acceptable. Other members of the team are to be black tie and tux or.... I know of at least one who will be kilted besides myself, since I moved the buckles and straps on his kilt a couple of weeks ago.

For myself, I'm thinking Sheriffmuir and vest, diced hose, and my "rodent" as you call it, but I'll wear my clerical shirt with its collar, which is after all, white.

The alternative would be horse-hair, but cantles don't fit well under my belly, so the rodent would be more comfortable.

[ThistleDown]

Yes, I'm to be installing officer for London Sovereign Chapter of Rose Croix. As such, the officer is normally white tie and tails or equivalent, although black tie would be acceptable. Other members of the team are to be black tie and tux or.... I know of at least one who will be kilted besides myself, since I moved the buckles and straps on his kilt a couple of weeks ago.

For myself, I'm thinking Sheriffmuir and vest, diced hose, and my "rodent" as you call it, but I'll wear my clerical shirt with its collar, which is after all, white.

The alternative would be horse-hair, but cantles don't fit well under my belly, so the rodent would be more comfortable.

Nice, very nice. I have a rodent, too. Mine's beaver, but on the very rare occasion I've attended white-tie in the last twenty years I've worn badger or seal. With beaver re-introduced to Scotland I would think it will become old-school sooner than muskrat, but that's years from now. Beavers don't often cross roads

[Father Bill]

No; chickens do, but we don’t know why and they would make lousy sporrans