leather strap with dress sporran

[davidlpope]

I wear a vintage long-link chain for formal occasions, but wouldn’t hesitate to wear a quality leather strap in black, red, racing green, or even white. Highland regiments’ mess dress usually included a strap instead of a chain. McRostie and L&M are where I would start.

[McMurdo]

I would not hesitate to wear a leather strap, however, I recently found a vintage sporran with a silver long link chain like OC Richard posted above mine is from the 1940's. From now on it will be used for formal wear. The chains that are generally a problem are cheap models, as others have said L&M and McRostie are reputable companies and won't go far wrong with them.

Here is the sporran and chain I am talking about though for formal wear I use the chain with my Horsehair sporran

[Highland Logan]

Honestly, to each their own. I do prefer to see a chain for evening wear, and wear a "old style" long link chain. I had one of those fancy evening chains, but found it never made it into the rotation once I got the long link. I also have a strap (black) and a dog chain style (chain from L&M); the latter of which hasn't been worn in years. I had Leathersmith Designs of Dartmouth NS, make the strap, and the leather strap portions of all my belts, and would recommend them to anyone looking to get belts made.

I do like the look of that Nicoll Brothers*chain. I may have to try and track that style down.

IMG_22h218.jpg

My thoughts on chains in evening dress; given it's the correct time and place are simple... keeping in the spirit of the National dress, a quote that those that "... deprive the garb of its ornaments or reduce it to the drab monotony of Anglo-Saxon evening clothes are un-Scottish and contemptible".

Like I said to each their own, but those are my thoughts.

Frank

[jthk]

I know that leather straps without chains are popular for day sporrans among the rabble.

Who here wears one with a dress sporran as well? Or do most go with the chain for the extra bling?

Personally, I never wear a chain but have considered it for dressier events. That aside, I've always worn a strap even to weddings and funerals. No one knows the difference and I much prefer the strap to a chain anyway.

Jonathan