Dress Kilt Sporran..MUST it be fur???

[dsinohio@hotmail.com]

I'm a real newcomer to kilted wear...but, having purchased several kilts and accompanying gear, I'm looking forward to wearing a couple of my kilts on an upcoming cruise. I'm planning on wearing an Air Force tartan with my black mess dress jacket on "formal" night, but I really don't care much for the looks of the fur full dress sporrans! I'm not a PETA maniac, or anything like that...I just don't like the looks of fur for men. But I also don't wish to offend any kilt wearers by wearing gear that is totally inappropriate. I'm thinking that my black leather sporran (which I've decorated with an Air Force medallian) would be a nice-looking combo. Any thoughts from you folks would certainly be appreciated!
(By the way...for any Air Force vets...I've done which research as I can, and have come to the conclusion that the black mess dress, having been superceded by the blue mess dress, is no longer a regulation uniform, and can therefore be used (hopefully respectfully) for other purposes, such as what I intend.)

[Zardoz]

An appropriate leather sporran is fine for dress, while fur has become the norm, it's not required by law or anything! I used to wear a leather 'hunting' style all the time.

[auld argonian]

I've always thought that the studded hunting sporrans look all right with formal attire.

EG:

http://www.usakilts.com/store/cart.p...t_detail&p=272

...and it's BLACK.

Best

AA

[Deil the Yin]

Well, I've certainly worn a leather sporran with formal wear (qv), brown leather at that, but it was more a matter of economy (or lack there of). It sounds like your black sporran would suite the purpose just fine to me. If you feel that it looks good I don't see any reason not to wear it? Of course there's no pleasing some people... (see "Kilt Police")


Would've looked better if the argyle hose I ordered had come in in time, but that's the way it rolls in my world...

Regards,
Wesley

[starbkjrus]

I agree w/ AA. Here is my dress sporran: http://www.usakilts.com/store/cart.p...ct_detail&p=74

[ForresterModern]

On a cruise I doubt there will be that many folks around who will be either kilted or kilt-wise, so it is highly unlikely that you will be asked about it in a "kilt police" style interrogation. I am sure, though, that it will stimulate great interest and conversation, and probably a few photo requests.

True, most dress sporrans are fur of some sort, although some of the upscale hunting versions are made with dress metal cantles and would probably pass must nicely if you have a particular aversion to the loook and feel of fur.

[davidlpope]

Why not try a hair sporran? Very traditional and "manly" (if that's what you're shooting for...) for formal highland wear.

Cordially,

David

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

In my short time on this planet I've seen dress sporrans that were plain leather, fur, hair, and velvet. While the dress sporran is expected to be some sort of fur/hair, there is no absolute requirement that it be so. Just keep in mind that a dress sporran is supposed to be your "best" sporran, and you won't go to far wrong.

[Lallans]

I certainly can't pretend to be a Scottish fashion plate but I set out to find a middle-of-the-high-road sporran that could be worn everywhere and that's what I did and have been doing. My sporran is (adult) seal fur (which product is not available in the USA they tell me) and has minimal metal decoration. It looks good everywhere- my opinion- but I certainly couldn't pass for a drum major or professional Scotsman. Further reasoning behind the purchase: the seal fur reflects both my Scots and Canadian heritage (gotta hunt those seals) and there is just enough shined up metal on it (an antlered stag's head) to pass as acceptable in either direction, up or down. In my area, this sort of thing is called a 'semi-dress sporran.' Mind you, I wouldn't turn down a really expensive full dress one either.

[KD Burke]

This was me at our Burns' Night celebration:



Note the L&M hunting style sporran. Does it look bad?