Dress sporran help needed.

**David Thornton** · 28th October 05, 05:28 AM

I have a freeelander (need another, we need to talk). I have a nice black with tassels, it will work in a pinch. I suppose I need a dress sporran as well. Now, I will maybe use it twice a year. So If I decide to spring for a dress sporran, what should I get? Wher do I find it? And I am not going to spend big money for something to sit in a box, but what should I expect to spend?
Thank you all.
David

**ByDand** · 28th October 05, 05:31 AM

David, If you have a black sporran with black tassles and you keep it clean and polished I see no reason why you cannot wear it as a formal sporran. There are some on Ebay that are quite reasonable. I have a separate white fur sporran that I keep for formal occasions and may only wear it four or five times a year. I still believe your leather sporran will work nicely for a formal look.

**Graham** · 28th October 05, 05:53 AM

I had the same need, this is what I came up with
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...184#post181184

**Planopiper** · 28th October 05, 05:54 AM

A full face fur sporran is appropriate for day or formal wear. They're expensive, but look good if you get a decent one. And more cost effective because ou can wear them a lot more. I like them, but happened to find a nice used dress sporran for a good deal recently, so I went with that. If you don't need one right away, be patient. You may find something on ebay or through for sale ads somewhere. You can get away with a cheap semi-dress sporran while you look for something better. Semi-dress are usually leather with a fur panel on the front. Or with a chrome cantel. I don't care for a lot of them a whole lot, but they can be more appropriate than a day sporran for evening wear or dressier functions that aren't really formal.

**ByDand** · 28th October 05, 05:57 AM

I jsut got off the Ebay site for Sporrans. They have a group of them coming off bids within the next day and some are "buy now". They range from $45 to $55 and actually look quite nice. I noticed that the sellers are including the chain or belt with them. If you do not intend to wear them daily or weekly one of them should work quite well for you. Good luck with bidding or buying. :-)

**Bob C** · 28th October 05, 06:22 AM

Ebay. You can't beat it. Just make sure the seller has a good feedback rating and be sure to figure the shipping as part of the price you're willing to pay.

If you're going to wear your kilt for formal events, you DO need a sporran that is dressier than plain leather. Unless you're getting an animal mask, a metal cantle is advisable. Fur is preferable, but the leather one that Graham linked to would be enough to get you by.

Of course, I've violated my own advice, on occasion, by wearing a semi-dress sporran with a fur front, but no cantle, to formal dinners.l

My two cents.

**millar** · 28th October 05, 06:38 AM

This is all great advice, on sporran sources. In fact I just bought one on e-bay. Can anyone enlighten on the the source of these sporran rules. This all seems incredibly arbitrary and expensive.

**David Thornton** · 28th October 05, 07:36 AM

Millar, you've been in here since July. Surely this is not your first indication that this is an expensive addiction!
Bydand, poliched nicely, using it now, just thought I would look.
Rabbit fur seems to be the majority on ebay, the chainwork looks cheap to me. Are these really better than the nice black leather?
I can find tanned hides, how easy would a mask be to make?
Thanks again
David

**bubba** · 28th October 05, 07:37 AM

Stillwater sells a fairly inexpensive dress sporrans in their on line store.

http://pro.channeladvisor.com/storef...9&aid=15162708

**millar** · 28th October 05, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by David Thornton

Millar, you've been in here since July. Surely this is not your first indication that this is an expensive addiction!
Bydand, poliched nicely, using it now, just thought I would look.
Rabbit fur seems to be the majority on ebay, the chainwork looks cheap to me. Are these really better than the nice black leather?
I can find tanned hides, how easy would a mask be to make?
Thanks again
David

David,
Yes I am totally aware it is expensive, but why does it have to be so. The Freelander sporrans are beautiful, and in my mind, expensive. Why would they be considered any less formal than a fur sporran? I guess I am asking for the source of the tradition. It seems to me that people are trying to out Scottish each other. Cheers.
Jim