Black Argyle & sporran?

[David Thornton]

That and the fact that the company sent a driver. So no keys, cell phone, essentially I only needed my money clip.

Thanks for the help. It was a beautiful afternoon.

David

[Graham]

And a kilt pin? I won't wear a sporran chain because of the wear on the wool, why subject the kilt to a pin?

Black sporran it is.

Later

David

A pin is functional in a way, by providing a little weight to the front apron.
It is decorative and looks nice IMHO and adds, along with the sporran to the whole kilt look.

To reduced damage, I have one pin for each kilt, it stays on and is only removed when the kilt is cleaned.
The only other danger is getting the pin snagged and tearing the kilt, but that has never happened to me.

I don't wear a pin on my work kilts

[Hamish]

Sorry I am too late catching your thread here, David. However, it might help you in the future to be aware that an Argyll jacket is really a semi-formal jacket and, especially in black, is ideal for weddings and semi-formal afternoon functions. It therefore requires a sporran, and your choice of a black leather one was perfect (in the evening you might go for something a little more 'dressy').

It is not a bad rule of thumb to bear in mind that a tartan kilt always looks best with a sporran (unlike many contemporary, plain kilts which look dreadful with them!) UNLESS, that is, you are otherwise dressing really casually - say, with an arran sweater/polo shirt/T-shirt or similar, boots and folded-down hose. I very often do not wear a sporran when dressed that casually, and that is really the only time when the sporran is not obligatory - with a tartan kilt. Of course, I am looking at this matter from the aesthetic angle rather than any 'rules and regulations' one .......... and ,as we all know, there ARE no rules! ;)

[Graham]

Hamish, do you really think plain kilts look dreadful with a sporran?
Since I am aquiring more plain kilts, this is something I need to know!!

[Hamish]

A pin is functional in a way, by providing a little weight to the front apron.
It is decorative and looks nice IMHO and adds, along with the sporran to the whole kilt look.

To reduced damage, I have one pin for each kilt, it stays on and is only removed when the kilt is cleaned.
The only other danger is getting the pin snagged and tearing the kilt, but that has never happened to me.

I don't wear a pin on my work kilts

Absolutely spot on, Graham. If there was only one rule that could ever be applied to the art of kilt wearing, it should be: a kilt pin for every kilt, and that it be removed ONLY when the kilt is being cleaned.

By the way, a useful tip to help avoid any kilt damage by the pin being seriously snagged (not that it has ever happened to me either): iron one of those small iron-on repair patches (I tend to use denim ones for added strength) on the back of the top apron, so that you fix your kilt pin through it as well as the wool. They are totally invisible from the front and really give the pin something to grip into, especially on lighter-weight fabrics.

[Hamish]

Hamish, do you really think plain kilts look dreadful with a sporran?
Since I am aquiring more plain kilts, this is something I need to know!!

Not is they are made along the lines of a traditional kilt, Graham, such as TFCK, KiltStore, etc. I DO wear sporrans (sometimes) with my TFCKS, etc.

No, I was thinking more of Utilikilts, Union Kilts, and others along those lines which, to many a trained eye, are not quite so 'traditional'. Of course, a lot of them have pockets - some hidden and some very obvious - but many of our kilted brethren still insist on wearing their sporrans with these kilts ....... to make them look more like kilts!!! What tosh! A sporran is nothing more than a pocket when all is boiled down to basics and, if you already have pockets in your kilt you do not need a sporran. It becomes superfluous.... and offends the eye!

Take my new Freedom Kilt, for example. I would NEVER wear a sporran with that - it would just look ridiculous.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Not is they are made along the lines of a traditional kilt, Graham, such as TFCK, KiltStore, etc. I DO wear sporrans (sometimes) with my TFCKS, etc.

No, I was thinking more of Utilikilts, Union Kilts, and others along those lines which, to many a trained eye, are not quite so 'traditional'. Of course, a lot of them have pockets - some hidden and some very obvious - but many of our kilted brethren still insist on wearing their sporrans with these kilts ....... to make them look more like kilts!!! What tosh! A sporran is nothing more than a pocket when all is boiled down to basics and, if you already have pockets in your kilt you do not need a sporran. It becomes superfluous.... and offends the eye!

Take my new Freedom Kilt, for example. I would NEVER wear a sporran with that - it would just look ridiculous.

I love it when I get confirmation about my own preferences from the "unofficial" guru on modern kilt fashion. I too think that a sporran with an SK, UK, AK, etc is a mix of fashions and looks that just do not go together. While I like a sporran most times with my "traditional" kilts (which I lump my SWK's into), I don't even wear the included sporran with my AK. I might consider it as a fashion accessory/statement if it were in a contrasting color, but as it is it is too monochromatic. Just don't see the need since the AK has a pocket for the wallet, and keys can be clipped to the rings. The 2 PK's I have ordered will include the rear and slash pockets for the same reason.

[David Thornton]

Thank you Hamish. I will post pics tomorow, I think you will approve. I did feel the black jacket appropriate as I was invited to a sit down meal in a private box.
Now you really got me with the dressier sporran recommendation. I guess that's what I should suggest Santa get busy on. Suggestions?

David

[Archangel]

Sorry I am too late catching your thread here, David. However, it might help you in the future to be aware that an Argyll jacket is really a semi-formal jacket and, especially in black, is ideal for weddings and semi-formal afternoon functions. It therefore requires a sporran, and your choice of a black leather one was perfect (in the evening you might go for something a little more 'dressy').

It is not a bad rule of thumb to bear in mind that a tartan kilt always looks best with a sporran (unlike many contemporary, plain kilts which look dreadful with them!) UNLESS, that is, you are otherwise dressing really casually - say, with an arran sweater/polo shirt/T-shirt or similar, boots and folded-down hose. I very often do not wear a sporran when dressed that casually, and that is really the only time when the sporran is not obligatory - with a tartan kilt. Of course, I am looking at this matter from the aesthetic angle rather than any 'rules and regulations' one .......... and ,as we all know, there ARE no rules! ;)

...except yours, respectfully, and so gently administered as well.

[Sindarius]

By the way, a useful tip to help avoid any kilt damage by the pin being seriously snagged (not that it has ever happened to me either): iron one of those small iron-on repair patches (I tend to use denim ones for added strength) on the back of the top apron, so that you fix your kilt pin through it as well as the wool. They are totally invisible from the front and really give the pin something to grip into, especially on lighter-weight fabrics.

That's a good idea. Another great tidbit of information from the legend himself. I'll put this to use on me SWK post haste as I have been having problems with the relatively heavy kilt pin presently on its lightweight material.