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

[ByDand]

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

Darn, another thing to buy

Flairball, Just remeber Carl Malden, "Sporran, don't leave home without it!"

[Planopiper]

If you wear the kilt properly, up toward the navel, the kilt will fall straight down and look good. It won't hide your belly, but it will look neat. If you wear it too low, like jeans, under your belly, then it will definitly emphasize your gut. It will also look like crap from behind, as the back will be several inches higher (6 or more, even) than the front. As long as the sporran chain isn't too ticht, it should hang ok and look good. On the other hand, you have to try it and see how it looks for yourself. Personally, I think the front of a kilt looks empty without a sporran in it, and I like the convenience of everything being right in front of me if I need my wallet or something.

One other possible plus - I don't think I've ever heard of a pickpocket stealing from a sporran. That would be pretty bold.

[MacSimoin]

...Just remeber Carl Malden, "Sporran, don't leave home without it!"

Now that's an obscure reference, compounded magnifiicently if you're under the age of thirty. I'm 41 and even I barely recall Karl Malden picthing American Express cards...but I'll agree with the suggestion.

[g koch]

When my sporran gets in the way I take a hint from the drummers in the pipe band and push it to the side and wear on the hip.

[Blu (Ontario)]

A sporran is a pocket - plain and simple. While a few sporrans, such as the "Freelander", are designed for good, practical, day to day use, most modern sporrans are decorative and lack for functionality. Sporrans are, in fact, optional if other pockets are available. They do not define a kilt as such, nor does the lack thereof make you a cross dresser. Interestingly, the few times I've gotten skirt comments, I was in fact wearing a sporran. Personally, I find most sporrans uncomfortable, impractical, and a bit of a nuisance. I leave mine home more than half the time. I guess I'm a bit of a pragmatist that way. In 5 years of kilt wearing, it's never once been made an issue.

blu

[arrogcow]

I'm definitely of the camp that if you are wearing a tartan, you need a sporran. I couldn't live with out all the junk I carry, and I think they look a little odd without a sporran. As others have said, the Freelander is the way to go for every day wear as it holds a ton of stuff. I do have a couple of dressier ones, but I've even gotten to the point of using the Freelander unless I am completely decked out formally (and then the irony is that my dress sporan was cheaper than the Freelander).

Adam

[Sherry]

I vote with the sporran guys: sporrans are part of the finishing touches that
"make the look." And like Planopiper says, wear your kilt at the waist, not under your belly. It may feel weird at first, but it will definitely look the best.

And we'll be waiting for photos once you get your kit together.

[NewKilt]

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.

I totally agree with davedove. I have a Buzz Kidder Country Sporran. In addition to being heavy flexible leather, it is also very roomy. I can carry everthing in it that I used to carry in my pants pockets, plus my cell phone.

You had asked for some feedback from big guys. I'm 6'0", and 255 lb. The addition of the sporran does not emphasize my size, and as others have said, the kilt looks better with a sporran. It's also been mentioned that it helps with the modesty factor. When you are seated the weight of the sporran will help push the apron of your kilt down between your legs.

Darrell

[Hamish]

This is a perennial topic and the answer is simply that whether or not you wear a sporran the decision is entirely yours - it is up to the individual. Of course, I am thinking here of situations where one is dressed casually. Be aware that you are not wearing a uniform in the situations you list, nor are you wearing a costume - you are wearing a garment. A regular masculine garment. Some men wear trousers and some wear kilts - both are garments. Formal and semi-formal dressing requires that you should wear a sporran, however.

As has been said, a sporran is nothing more than a pocket. If you are dressed in a casual manner and have pockets on your upper body to hold all that you need, then the sporran is rendered virtually 'surplus to requirements'!

The arguments for the sporran helping to preserve your modesty are, in my opinion, non-starters but, there again, it all boils down to personal opinions and preferences.

[whiteravenJr.]

I posted a thread like this one a while back and the general decision was to sporran it just dousn't feel right with out a sporran and can easilly be mistaken as a skirt then as i have found out.