Proper Sporran Wear Question

[JSFMACLJR]

Okay, I have to ask: how is a chain harmful to the kilt? I have worn the kilt for some 45 years now. In the evening for dressy events, and often during the day, I have worn a chain strap with my sporrans. My kilts have never been damaged. What am I doing right that so many of you are doing wrong?

I'm really curious...what are you guys doing?

[sydnie7]

Okay, I have to ask: how is a chain harmful to the kilt? I have worn the kilt for some 45 years now. In the evening for dressy events, and often during the day, I have worn a chain strap with my sporrans. My kilts have never been damaged. What am I doing right that so many of you are doing wrong?

I'm really curious...what are you guys doing?

My first-hand experience is from seeing the damage done to my brother-in-law's tank -- a collection of small, ragged holes beneath an expensive, decorative sporran chain -- when worn to a formal dinner/dance.

It may have been just that one chain, but I prefer not to chance it. I'm not trying to change the behavior of those who have worn chains for years without damage, just chipping in my .02 when someone asks the question.

No, not THAT question!

[SFCRick]

I have never had any damage from a sporran chain.

[xena]

Yeah, wearing a chain is a bit of a risk. It seems the higher quality chains are less likely to "chew" on a kilt, but it's a risk nonetheless.

If you've got a chain that doesn't do that to your kilts, congratulations and enjoy the chain. But, not all chains are alike. I think it's just a matter of machining. Some cheap ones are great, and some expensive ones are horrible, so pricing isn't always a good indication.

I wear both (not at the same time!), but I always check for signs of "chewing" after wearing a chain. So far, so good!

FWIW, I never encountered a chain holding up a sporran in the military. It was always a leather belt. In fact, it wasn't until I started looking up kilts recently as a civvy, that I first encountered chain-belts for sporrans. It seemed, and still does seem sometimes, a bit weird. But, that may just be me.

Leather sporran belts and chain sporran belts are equivalent in my mind. Neither is more formal than the other. It's the sporran that is formal or not. The belt is just what holds it up.

For example, flat laces or round laces don't make the shoe more or less formal do they? It's the shoe that is formal or not - the laces are just what makes sure it doesn't fall off your foot. That is, assuming you're wearing shoes that require laces, yada, yada, yada...

Enjoy the sporran. It looks great!

[Heming]

I only ever wear a chain - that's what I have, so there isn't really any choice. I've not noticed any wear or damage to my kilt from the chain.

[Riverkilt]

Just to clarify. Was seeking feedback about whether the "look" of a leather sporran strap with a dress sporran is appropriate for a formal occasion.

[JSFMACLJR]

Just to clarify. Was seeking feedback about whether the "look" of a leather sporran strap with a dress sporran is appropriate for a formal occasion.

Hi Ron,

I'm afraid I'm going to have to go against the tide here and say that I think--in most cases, that for formal wear a chain looks much nicer with a sporran. I do find some of those "fancy" new chains a bit too much, though. Nothing looks better, IMHO, than a simple silver long link chain such as this:


Most of my sporran chains have a flat profile, like this:


All that being said, leather straps are sometimes seen with hair sporrans in the evening, not only with military sporrans, but also those worn by civilians. To my eye, though, generally speaking I prefer the look of a nice chain with my sporrans in formal dress.

[dfmacliam]

Yes, in my opinion, the leather belt is approriate for the formal wear.

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

I've seen cheap chains tear through many things. Take a look at your chains to where the come back on themselves. Are they cut such that there is a jagged edge, like so?



Or are they straight cut so that there are no edges? or better yet, if they are molded together...

btw I have a braided leather strap that I wear with my sporrans both in black and dark brown. I really like the look of them. And I suppose it would work for formal wear, though a nice chain seems make it pop just a bit from the outfit.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Sporran belts are perfectly acceptable for formal wear, and can be any colour one wishes. The only caveat is that a belt worn with formal attire should be "finer in style" than one worn with day wear. So what is "finer in style"? It needs to look "dressy" not like something made by candle light in the croft of "Wee Angus"!