[jrmiller]

Guys,
OK, I am new to kilts and pretty much disconnected from any "living" relative whoever wore one.

I purchased my first kilt last winter and have owned 5 (not all at one time). Clearly, I like and understand the advantages of the kilt itself.

However, I just don't get sporrans. Their placement seems awkward, they seem overly large and the expensive ones are made of dead animal skins.

There clearly are better ways to "store" items like pockets, so why the sporran? What are the advantages?

[Bugbear]

It's a deep, dark, Psychological issue... That's all I'll say.

* On second thought, I will add that I very much like wearing and using sporrans, and even use them with trousers from time to time. It's still a deep, dark, psychological issue... *

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

It holds the apron down when an unexpected swirling wind gust comes along.

It pushes the apron down when sitting.

It looks good.

It can hold alot of stuff.

That's just a few off the top of my head....

[Cassidy]

The expensive ones are generally for dress occasions only.

Why wear a sporran? Well, because if laymen don't see one, they very well might not make the "Ohhh, it's a scottish kiltamajigger!" connection and just think you're wearing a skirt. And, personally, I feel more completely and boldly dressed wearing one.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Generally, at least in my opinion (and in the experience of others), a sporran is vastly superior to an over the shoulder bag, or even a rather large clutch purse. I suppose it's a guy thing, like not wearing fishnets and stilettos with a utilikilt...

Seriously, if you've got more stuff than will fit in your sporran, you are probably carrying too much junk around with you. In mine I've got a coin purse, a slim wallet (cash and credit cards), car key and house key, and my cell phone (which has replaced the pistol I used to carry off-duty). And that's pretty much it. If I'm going to something dressy I ditch the cell phone and add a cigar cutter and lighter.

I can't imagine needing to carry around more than that, but if I did I'd probably strap on a fanny pack.

[Frank McGrath]

They are also a good place to keep your oatmeal.

[LewisG]

It is part of traditional highland dress and, as mentioned above, makes it clear you are wearing a kilt. Besides, I like the look of a sporran on a kilt.

[Bugbear]

I usually have enough room in my sporran for the standard items. However, I just remembered that I built in a few extra pockets in my daywear jacket for small things.. maybe someone's card or a key. This was in addition to the five pockets it already had, as well as, the three pockets on the waistcoat and the pocket on the shirt.

Plenty of places to store any number of things. I also carry a handkerchief, and a cloth to put over a chair or seat just in case...

Not to take away from the deep, dark, psychological reason for wearing a sporran...

[O'Callaghan]

Originally Posted by jrmiller

Guys,
OK, I am new to kilts and pretty much disconnected from any "living" relative whoever wore one.

I purchased my first kilt last winter and have owned 5 (not all at one time). Clearly, I like and understand the advantages of the kilt itself.

However, I just don't get sporrans. Their placement seems awkward, they seem overly large and the expensive ones are made of dead animal skins.

There clearly are better ways to "store" items like pockets, so why the sporran? What are the advantages?

I think a waist pack is better. Old technology v newer technology. Pockets are good too, although it is true that they can affect the way the kilt hangs. I do agree, however, that bags are just not a man thing. Too easy to mislay, and they don't leave your hands free.

I'm not hung up about sudden gusts of wind or keeping the front down when sitting. That is, to be exact, I do make sure I don't show anything, but I don't obsess about it. I don't think a sporran is necessary for those purposes.

The middle front is a very silly place for a man to carry anything, but I think the sporran moved there after it became more ornamental, so as to show it off.

[auld argonian]

Sporrans are actually pretty comfortable and functional...I often wear one with jeans just to have the extra "room for my stuff"...looks better than a f*nny pack.

Dead animal skin...has been used for years for all sorts of things. Given it's flexibility and durability it would probably end up having a smaller carbon footprint than anything else that could do the job. Personally, I try to avoid exotic furry stuff but look upon bovine leather as re-using the bag that my last hamburger originally came in.

Best

AA