To sporran, or not to sporran, that is the ??

[auld argonian]

Frankly, you might well feel half-dressed without the sporran. It also has the benefit of making it clear to the casual observer that you are wearing a kilt and not a sk*rt (may I be forgiven for uttering the s-word!).

I'd try to scrape up the extra $ and find one. Many threads here about inexpensive sporrans...but if you're only planning on getting one, get one that you like and will be happy to have for years to come. A warning is that sporran addiction is second only to kilt addiction among the members of this forum (testify, brothers, testify!). It has been said that a fanny pack can, in a pinch, substitute for a sporran...if that's a viable possibility, okay. Once you go out kilted you'll see the wisdom and the necessity of the sporran...no pockets!

As to the girth issue, I think that you'll find that the kilt tends to hold the "girth" in quite well...it is almost girdle-like in this regard...accessorizing with a belt and a sporran tends to break the visual lines of the....uh...girth...and makes one look a bit slimmer. Once you get the whole kit adjusted comfortably, I think you'll see what I mean.

Good choice of the SWK Nightstalker...a great "starter" kilt...subtle tartan and it goes with a lot of different colored shirts, sweaters and etc.

Strap that sucker on and walk tall!

Best

AA

[Manu]

Well, unless you have some TCFK style pockets made, you are gonna need one. It does look kinda weird without it.

[davedove]

A tartan kilt (like Stillwater) just doesn't really look right without the sporran. And since Stillwater's don't have pockets, you will need someplace to carry your stuff.

And don't worry about the girth issue. A kilt looks great on men with a bit of size. Just look at some of the guys on this board (myself included).

[Southern Breeze]

I definatly recommend a sporran. If your on a budget the Buzz Kidders are the ones to get. A fanny pack is an option for hiking.

[Aggie]

If you decide to go with a sporran you might consider something that is more flexible. Perhaps you can find a inexpensive one which doesn't get in the way with physical activity such as bending to pick something off the ground. I spent a little more to get a casual style which is softer and bends somewhat with my body. Easier on me and the material of the apron. Also, leather belts instead of the metal will help to save your kilt. (thanks Hamish)

[davedove]

If you decide to go with a sporran you might consider something that is more flexible. Perhaps you can find a inexpensive one which doesn't get in the way with physical activity such as bending to pick something off the ground. I spent a little more to get a casual style which is softer and bends somewhat with my body. Easier on me and the material of the apron. Also, leather belts instead of the metal will help to save your kilt. (thanks Hamish)

The Buzz Kidder Country Sporran is real good for this. It's made of heavy, but very flexible leather. You can get them from USA Kilts or the Scottish Tartans Museum, and I'm sure from other places.

[GMan]

What everyone else said. A tartan Kilt just doesn't look right without the sporran while being out in public. Oh and make sure that is a leather belt, no chains.

[Bob C]

Sporran, definitely. You can find plenty of inexpensive, perfectly functional sporrans on eBay.

I don't like the soft sack-like sporrans, but some guys prefer them. They certainly look better than no sporran at all.

[Iolaus]

As long as you're getting a Nightstalker kilt, why not take a look at the Nightstalker sporran?

[Retro Red]

I second Aggie's recommendation of a more flexible sporran. Many sporrans have a stiff backside that can be uncomfortable or just plain in the way when engaged in more physical activities. Other things I wish I'd known when I first started wearing a sporran -

• as others have mentioned, replace the chain with a full leather sporran belt to reduce wear on your kilt
• don't let the sporran hang too far down, which looks sloppy (& I think just gets in the way when walking) - rule of thumb is 2 or 3 finger width between bottom of belt buckle & top of sporran
• run sporran belt through the kilt belt loops, on top of the kilt belt (prevents riding up)
• once your sporran is properly fastened & hanging just right, don't unfasten it via the buckle in back, it's easier to unclip it in front
• and you don't always need to unfasten the sporran when nature calls; often times just sliding it around to the left side of the hip is all that's needed

When you wear a casual kilt with external pockets (like UtiliKilts) a sporran is optional.