Dressy, but not Dress: Neo-traditional Sporran Wear?

[Jumpmonkey]

I love the traditional highland dress, but we also discuss how the highland dress evolves, informed by the past, into the present. As an American, as many of you recognize, we are not really a society of strict formal-wear at this point in time. Along this vein, I've gotten thinking about sporran choice. I bought a new sporran today, to wear to a simple, anniversary dinner with my wife. What to get? I chose a hunting sporran for my dressy sporran. Here's my thinking.

1) I have never once been to a truly "black tie" event in my life. And from my understanding this is the atmosphere in which the evening-wear sporran is intended to be. The beautiful combination of the metal cantle and fur seems perfect in such a setting, but it's one I've never had occasion to exist in. The most formal events I've attended would be weddings, and while we, as a family, considered them dressy occasions, I've never attended a true black-tie wedding. So, while the evening, dress sporran is certainly appropriate for black-tie events, it doesn't fit the "formal" settings I find myself in.

2) A lot of the typical day sporrans, are certainly not ugly, but they are simple affairs. They are perfectly suited to the activities of every-day life. But neither are they fit for a nice night out with the spouse, or these sort of "semi-formal" occasions, which I find myself in, which often, in America, pass for formal.

So, (at least for me, in my circumstances) it seems that a nice, black hunting sporran fits the bill well. And, dare I say, I think that, in situations like this, the "semi-dress" sporran has its place in the modern kilting world. It is, as I often hear, neither fish, nor fowl, but in the world I live in, our "formal occasions" are very often, likewise, neither fish, nor fowl. I think these odd things are oddly fitting, to the evolution of traditional kilting in modern America...

...That's my thinking anyway. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the madness I've put forth here. And, as long as Steve is ok with it, I'm open to strong opinions from opposing viewpoints, and stricter interpretations of the dress, in the hope of open and earnest discussion of the highland dress we all hold dear.

EDIT: I will say, somehow, I'd skewed my understanding of the "semi-dress" sporrans. I'd seen a hunting sporran with fur, and thought this was one such. But after going back for a better look, something about the basic day-sporran pattern with added fur makes me a bit queasy looking at them. I do still feel the hunting sporrans (hair or otherwise) do provide a nice medium for the sort of "formal" I encounter.

[Friday]

I believe that we in the US are missing out on not having many formal occasions. However, I think everyone should have at least one semi-dress sporran. Personally, I do not put hunting sporrans in the class of semi-dress, but, would never call out another kilt wearer on this fact.

But, think of the crowd that will be at the event that you are going to. How many would be able to tell if a hunting sporran is or is not semi-dress or even full dress. Most would not. If you meet a fellow X-Marker, they would look at you and say "nice kilt." If you meet a member of the kilt police they are there to find some infraction on which they can pronounce their superiority in kilt wearing even if it does not exist.

I my humble opinion, and I can only speak for my self, look at the occasion, look at what you can afford and do the best you can.

You said:

"I'm open to strong opinions from opposing viewpoints, and stricter interpretations of the dress, in the hope of open and earnest discussion of the highland dress we all hold dear."

I hope that we can have strong opinions about something and still express them with courtesy and respect.

[Jumpmonkey]

Friday,

Thanks for the thoughts!

I hope that we can have strong opinions about something and still express them with courtesy and respect.[/COLOR]

I was figuring that courtesy and respect were a given. But indeed, I'm with you on that.

[The Wizard of BC]

In very, very general terms.

A sporran made from all leather with a flap in the front is usually called a "Day-Wear Sporran"

]

A sporran that retains the flap but has fur is sometimes called "Semi-Formal" or Semi-Dress



A sporran with fur and a half round cantle that opens like a change purse is called a "Formal Sporran" or "Dress Sporran"



Half way between the Semi-Formal and the Formal are the Hunter style. So called because the tassels are sewn down so don't make a noise. All leather but with the half-round cantle.



My go to formal sporran is a Black Hunter style.

[Jumpmonkey]

Half way between the Semi-Formal and the Formal are the Hunter style. So called because the tassels are sewn down so don't make a noise. All leather but with the half-round cantle.

My go to formal sporran is a Black Hunter style.

I guess perhaps I'm not entirely in the left-field thinking that the hunting style sporrans (please forgive my earlier conflation of hunting and "semi dress") are quite dressy, though, perhaps not traditional black tie. You cut quite the figure there, and the sporran looks great! And as always (though I don't always say it aloud) thanks for the bountiful knowledge!

[The Wizard of BC]

I have nothing against fur, I'm just not much of a fur kind of guy. So the photo is full Black Tie. In fact the invitation to be the keynote speaker at this event specified "Black Tie, Full ribbons and medals".
It is the The Prince Charlie that sets the level of formality of this outfit. The Prince Charlie is the kilt equivalent of a tuxedo. The Prince Charlie is only worn for Black Tie events and only with tux shirt (studs not buttons) and black bow tie.

[Friday]

Personally, I do not put hunting sporrans in the class of semi-dress, but, would never call out another kilt wearer on this fact.

For clarification, when I think of a Hunting Sporran, I think of the ones that are full leather, as in a leather "cantle". The Hunter with a metal cantle did not enter my mind.

I sit corrected.