Opinions pse: Besides the metal cantle, what else defines a "Dress" vs "Day" Sporran?

[Father Bill]

In very general terms -

A sporran of all leather, with a flap in front - is usually called a day wear sporran.



If you retain the flap but the front is fur - it is called by some a semi-dress or semi - formal sporran.


If all fur with a half round metal cantle opening - it is usually called a formal sporran.



Half way between semi formal and formal are the Hunter style. (Called 'Hunter' because the tassels are sewn down so don't make noise.)
All leather with a cantle opening.


Also in general terms a bright cantle is considered more formal than a leather cantle.



And still in general terms black is considered more formal than brown.


The horse hair sporrans are usually thought of as for pipe and drum majors and the military.


A leather sporran strap is usually seen for less formal or day wear.

And a strap with a chain or fancy links is thought of as more formal.


Sporran suspenders are really helpful for guys with a bit of a belly as they hang from the belt and have less of a tendency to pucker the apron under the belly.



Tassels on chain are usually considered more formal that tassels on leather.
What it all comes down to is bling. The more bling - the more formal.

As always, Steve, you give the most complete and thoroughly clear responses. None of what you say surprises me in the least although you've given some details that I suspected but didn't think about.

I'm trying to balance "sporran lust" with usefulness and comfort. It's not coming up easily. You posted a few months back, a picture of yourself with a hunting sporran with metal cantle and I believe that you said it was about as formal as you ever go. I've been trying to find that picture, and am wondering what it was you said about it being "as formal as you ever go" and what your thinking was on that. It's part of what got me started on all this. The other pictures that got me interested were those of Rothesay with his hunting sporrans. See in what good company you find yourself?

I have one sporran that I bought from an advertiser here because I loved it online, but I wear it seldom in real life and wonder what it was that made me want it. I'm trying to avoid that issue for the future.