Hunter Style Black/Chrome Sporran w/Semiformal wear?

[creagdhubh]

Hiya mate,

Don't worry about this 'semi-formal' nonsense, there is really no such thing in Highland attire and J. 'Scotty' Thompson went a wee bit overboard on that subject. As many other members (especially Sandy, Scott, Matthew, and David) will attest, simply coordinate your Highland attire to what type of event you are attending, i.e., black tie, white tie, day wear, etc. It sounds like you are on the right track.

You could easily get away with a smart tweed Argyll and waistcoat, necktie, shirt, kilt, plain leather sporran with strap, polished black leather shoes, smart hose, and flashes or garter ties to your event and be perfectly fine. I wouldn't go for the 'pipe band' look with the black barathea Argyll, silver buttons, black leather hunting sporran with silver cantle, white/aran hose, ghillie brogues, etc...I almost went down that road many, many years ago, and I am soooo happy I didn't (luckily, I had my grandfather's advice). Sure, that attire is fine for a member of a pipe band, as they are in uniform and obviously must all look the same.

The charcoal hose sound far better than the aran hose in my opinion. It's okay to wear flashes, many people do; I do, HRH Prince Charles does, as do many members on this forum - we will also wear garter ties when we so desire as well. I tend to go back and forth, yet usually reserve garter ties for day wear for some reason. If everyone is in relaxed, casual polos, slacks, Oxford shirts, etc, you could get away with the same idea! Wear an Oxford with your kilt with no necktie, no belt, no waistcoat or jacket...simply your sporran, hose, flashes, shoes, sgian dhubh, button-down shirt and kilt! I have worn that type of outfit countless times, especially when outside in warmer weather. You could even roll your sleeves up as the evening progresses, and as the pints or drams are flowing! I like the sound of your brown sporran - brown always looks quite smart, and in my opinion, a far better choice than black in regards to a day wear sporran! Wear black shoes though (hahaha, again, just my hoest opinion mate!)!

I encourage you to search the the forum a wee bit; take a look around at some of the different outfits, take what you like from them, then add your own personality. Naturally, a fine place to begin is with HRH the Duke of Rothesay - especially for 'semi-formal' functions in which you are curious about.

Slainte,