Sporran and Shoe Color

[TNScotsman]

This is of course related to a wedding outfit, but I'm running into an issue I haven't encountered in my kilting adventures yet.

We have good friends getting married in November and, with their enthusiastic endorsement, I'm attending the wedding in a kilt. It's an afternoon wedding, so it will be Argyle jacket and waistcoat with tie rather than PC. They encourage fall colors, and specifically are asking guests not to wear green as it will be part of the wedding party attire, so I have a Glen Affric kilt on order, which I think is a beautiful tartan and also perfect for fall. I plan to pair that with a dark khaki tweed jacket and waistcoat and burgundy hose.

Here's where the question comes in. I think with the overall color palate it will look very nice to have a brown sporran instead of the more common black. My ghillie brogues are of course black. In modern suiting it would be a terrible mistake to mix black shoes with a brown belt, but does the same apply with shoes and sporran for a kilt outfit? I have brown wingtips I could wear for a better match, but also really like ghillie brogues with a kilt. Not only do I want to honor the kilt by wearing everything correctly, but I also want to honor our friends by looking my best for their wedding. Advice from the rabble will be most appreciated!

[Father Bill]

Matching leathers is an American concept that historically doesn't apply to kilt apparel. In fact, black sporrans, I'm told, were a later addition to the possibilities whereas black shoes have always been the choice of dressiness. Shine them like the sun, and Gillie Brogues are NOT necessary.

[NHhighlander]

I generally don't drink beer... Sorry, "I generally don't care about fashion," but, the only rule that I know of that seems to make sense regarding shoe and belt colors is that black is the safe option, always. That's actually also a heraldry rule, if I recall correctly.

Reflecting on this, even if my woodchuck sporran is handmade by yours truly, it really doesn't play with the PC that I assume will be expected for an event I might attend in Scotland... thus I also have to figure out rentals including sporran, but never ghillies, I have limits, but you are free to do as you see, of course.

I love the concept of the Glen Affric colors for a fall event. Some day I want to try the very peculiar twill weave that the original was made with, different from the standard tartan twill, but that's another story.

(for noobs, PC is "Prince Charlie," a particular and highly uncomfortable formal outfit, that I hope I will never own. I added that clarification because early on in the forum I was surprised about what was that Political Correct outfit (PC outfit) that people kept talking about...)

[Jock Scot]

I would not get too wound up with this matching of leathers business for everyday events. it's something that you chaps across the Atlantic seem to get very concerned about!

I always wear my black sporran with my day attire and usually with black shoes, but, it's not unusual for me to wear wear brown shoes and .........sometimes, green wellington boots. For smart evening attire then I think black shoes are probably the norm.

[NHhighlander]

The OP didn't specify whether his event was Stateside or in the Aulds Lands.
In my humble opinion, he should follow the custom of the land he's in.
IF indeed matching leathers is an American thing, then so be it, as my impression is that he's not crossing the dark waters, as I will, so also I thank y'all for your opinions, useful they are.

Made me look. A picture at a formal event of the Clan, 30 years ago, Scotland, both the Chief and an important visitor have furry sporrans. My woodchuck ex-roadkill will be at home, great, one less fashion faux-pass averted, as I know some in the Clan are, ahem, sensitive, and I rather be accommodating, for a change.

Speaking of, regarding the supposed "no belts with PC" rule. Nope. Same picture, both gentlemen are wearing belts with corresponding large buckles, silver color.

[TNScotsman]

I appreciate all of the helpful input gentlemen!

As for the ghillie brogues, they were the required footwear when I was the best man in a Highland dress wedding so, since I have them, I wear them

[TNScotsman]

The OP didn't specify whether his event was Stateside or in the Aulds Lands.
Speaking of, regarding the supposed "no belts with PC" rule. Nope. Same picture, both gentlemen are wearing belts with corresponding large buckles, silver color.

Interesting point about the belts! I generally don't wear a belt if I'm also wearing a waistcoat because of the interference between the two, but it certainly doesn't seem to be a hard and fast rule.

As for the other question, I'm in the U.S., as is the wedding. I've actually found a rather nice semi-formal sporran that has brown rabbit fur on the front, but not full fur like a dress sporran, with a black leather flap, so it would tie things in nicely. On that note, is a semi-formal sporran actually a thing or just a marketing opportunity to sell newly created items? I can't recall seeing them before, but I continue to learn as I go.

[OC Richard]

Wearing brown sporrans with black shoes has been standard for over 300 years, done by common folk, by Clan chiefs, by Princes, by Kings.



On the other hand Jock Scot has a black leather sporran which has been in his family for a long time.

What's interesting is that in my collection of vintage catalogues of Highland Dress makers dating back to 1907 and going up through the 1990s, black sporrans are not mentioned or illustrated until the early 1980s, when they are listed in a footnote at the bottom of a page listing and illustrating typical brown leather sporrans.

They are specifically called "Day/Evening" sporrans, and the timing coincides both with Pipe Bands changing their attire to black Argyll jackets, and the then-emerging Kilt Hire industry creating "semi-dress" sporrans to hire along with black Prince Charlies. White hose and Ghillies were also part of these new costumes.

Also I collect vintage photos of men in Highland Dress and I've not come across a photo of a black leather "day" sporran until around that same time.

Interestingly, around the 1970s soldiers began "bulling" their dark-brown issued leather No2 Dress sporrans black, and the military responded by beginning to issue sporrans in nasty shiny black vinyl. (Happily with the creation of the RRS the traditional brown leather sporrans have returned.)

[NHhighlander]

Look at me, mom, giving fashion advice!

Weddings are an unlucky combination of the most important and sacred in life, with custom and satisfying the expectations of people who really should be minding their own business plus commerce and flaunting wealth...

The advice that I give as an old man to a younger one (I assume), is, don't do as I do/did, try to endure it and fit in. Being yourself is great for Games, because that's just for the lulz.

Belt? if it makes a mess of a coat/jacket, then suspenders time it is (some traditional kilts don't have ways to tighten them).
Guillies? Go for it, it's a free country. More so, here in the US it seems to be part of the "Scottish image" expectations. As to formal/semi formal sporrans or anything else... If really concerned, I'd say try to find some actual (not "fashion" websites trying to sell you things), authentic pictures of weddings here with people in kilt, and see if that fits. You want to celebrate your friends and be at your very best, that's commendable and the right thing. I would say that a rabbit sporran is just fine, but I would be stepping beyond my pay grade there.

[Father Bill]

Weddings are an unlucky combination of the most important and sacred in life, with custom and satisfying the expectations of people who really should be minding their own business...

When meeting with young couples for wedding prep, I've always told them that the purpose of a wedding is to gather to praise God that the couple have found each other and ask him to bless them as they start life in a new relationship. Then with a devilish grin, I look the groom in the eye, wink, and say that the second purpose (indicating the bride) is to keep her and her mother happy. You just keep your mouth shut and smile and at the end of the night you get to take her home.

I have yet to have any response other than knowing, happy laughter from both of them.