A revisit to the Hair Sporran, perhaps to the wedding

[Ancienne Alliance]

And it's especially appropriate if your bride approves....

Oh.............................how true ! indeed

Best,


Robert

[Jack Daw]

I'd like to hear from those of you who pipe in them and those who wear them minus the pipes. I am a piper though I do not normally wear regimental style unless I'm with a band that wears it and that hasn't been in a very long time.

So I'm asking folks to weigh in on a Hair Sporran for formal attire once more.

If you are a piper, full steam ahead on wearing a horsehair sporran for non-piping formal and semi-formal occasions. You've earned the right, as far as I'm concerned. I have a piper buddy who wears them all the time - when not piping and for informal wear.

[Jack Daw]

I like the look of the hair sporrans, but most of the ones I've seen have a small place where one can put some cash and that's about it. Anyone know of a hair sporran that will actually hold, for instance, a wallet, keys and a phone at the minimum?

It's my concern that a full pouch would upset the hang of the horsehair sporran. I'd like to see a pic posted with such a sporran packed to the limit to see how it hangs before I order one.

[Tobus]

My 2 cents worth:

It seems that most piper hair sporrans have metal cantles. If you want to separate non-piper hair sporrans from that, something like the Skye "Roamer #1" or Skye "Roamer #2" would be a great choice. They have a leather flap instead of a metal cantle. This dresses it down just enough that folks might not associate it with being a piper. Plus, for a day wedding, it might be the right level of formality. I think it would be a great touch.

I'm all on board with the idea of a 'renaissance' of sorts to bring hair sporrans back into fashion! One of these days when I can afford one, I'll definitely do it. I think it looks great.

[Tartan Shortbread Jock]

These type of sporrans are very smart but I think they are better suited
to bands.

[wildrover]

Right on ...I like this thread.

I dunno what it is, but I'd prefer to wear a hair sporran if I can get away with it. About the only place I maybe wouldn't wear one is playing in solo competition, and obviously band stuff since there's a uniform...but otherwise, it'll be the hair sporran.

From the designs I've seen recently, there are plenty of possibilities for this style of sporran without looking like you're wearing a band uniform or wearing military dress.

I dunno what I'd do, without this forum ...

Question...if a guy wanted to provide his own cantle, what features would be necessary in order to add pouch, hair & tassels?

A more important question...where did the idea come from, that hair sporrans need to be above or at the bottom of the kilt? Plenty of those old photos show longer sporrans.

-Sean

[tulloch]

Woah, very fine photo there Jock. Thanks for that. Those folks look just grand!

[iustus]

It is an interesting question the hair sporran.

I really appreciate all the advice and sharing of opinion. This forum is helpful.
Thanks for all the pics. The 1860s guys in the black jackets looks great, particularly the man on the left... now that is a beard. And is that an argyle jacket w/ 3 buttons and vest w/6? THanks OC.

No fotos as of yet... but the Jacket is actually 4 buttons and yes its the No2 but in black, kind of a coarse wool gabardine. It's being fixed at the moment, problem with the side vents on the back.

I'd like to share a few pieces from my discernment from this thread.

First: Hair Sporran, a fine idea. I'm thinking of perhaps a grey Haired version maybe without the tassels and with the standard cantle... maybe with black tassels, will ask the wife to weigh in on it. Ideas?

Second: Diced Hose... another fine idea, but this would put me well above the formality I am envisioning for the wedding. She was all over it though... she is a Socks and Hose devotee. Bought her a pair of WWII Aussie Hose tops from WPG in the dark Khaki, you know the hose without feet. She gets cold shins for some reason and this was really tough when we were living in Japan, bare feet and cold floors, even tatami gets cold. Anyway she loves them and loves argyl and was for the diced hose over the sporran hands down... the issue is that my next step will be more formal sporran and don't have the funds for hose as well, though it is a good thought, perhaps post clerach tartan kilt, to match that tartan and my purse (hopefully).

Third: Charcoal Hose... I like MacLowLife's comment about black hose (btw "Back Hose" is not something you can just go around talking about ie "The great thing about black hose is..." I got a few strange looks as folks overheard a conversation about socks between the Ms. and me, so FYI remember "black hose" not always polite conversation for an ease-dropper) and though I think black hose are suitable for an all black kilt, I went with Charcoal and perhaps red flashes. I think the charcoal might add some depth of colour considering the black bear and hose, though still might do the off-white hose to give the gillies their due. Will need to be all dressed to really know.
"off-white hose" also problematic...

The hair sporran is now on delay since there seems to be a very slight leak in my elk hide bag while I'm trying to play the pipes... at the rear seam. I'll see if seasoning will help out, but I'm afraid it is about time for a new bag... maybe canmore, like my first set of band pipes (when they were just starting to make the gore tex).

So between gore tex and horse hair... might have to be gore tex.

I'll put up a number of pictures to get further opinions on the outfit, as the pieces start falling into place.

peace,
justin