Regimental Sporrans

[RGM1]

My understanding is that sporrans with long horse hair tassels are associated with highland regiments. Seems questionable to wear one when I have no military experience. Any comment?

[Father Bill]

The fact that long hair sporrans have been part of many regimental uniforms does not mean that they were not part of civilian dress, in fact, there was a time when they were pretty well the norm.

I wear one sometimes, and proudly!

[figheadair]

Definitely ot the case. Takea look at Macleay's Highlanders.

https://www.staonlineshop.co.uk/cate...paintings.aspx

[RGM1]

Thanks, this was really helpful. Tempted to get a copy of the print of Andrew Murray since one of my clan lineages goes to an Andrew Murray though clearly not this one.

[kiltedsawyer]

I've always thought the horse hair sporrans were iconic traditional kilt wear, but saw them as being more formal attire. The men in Macleay's Highlanders are shown wearing horse hair sporrans with both formal and day wear kit. For those of you who own these equine sporrans, do you wear them as formal attire only, or with more casual day wear as well?
Cheers,

David

[Jock Scot]

I've always thought the horse hair sporrans were iconic traditional kilt wear, but saw them as being more formal attire. The men in Macleay's Highlanders are shown wearing horse hair sporrans with both formal and day wear kit. For those of you who own these equine sporrans, do you wear them as formal attire only, or with more casual day wear as well?
Cheers,

David

Good question!

I await the replies with interest.

[figheadair]

I've always thought the horse hair sporrans were iconic traditional kilt wear, but saw them as being more formal attire. The men in Macleay's Highlanders are shown wearing horse hair sporrans with both formal and day wear kit. For those of you who own these equine sporrans, do you wear them as formal attire only, or with more casual day wear as well?
Cheers,

David

I unusual wear one with Black Tie, and a goat hair one with White Tie. For day wear I tend to wear lain leather, with or without a cantle, and sometimes fur.

[Troglodyte]

My understanding is that sporrans with long horse hair tassels are associated with highland regiments. Seems questionable to wear one when I have no military experience. Any comment?

There is an association, to be sure. And with pipe-bands, too.

But that is not to say that hair sporrans are out-of-bounds to civilians in any way.

The 19th century saw many a civilian kiltie sporting a hair sporran, and the photographic evidence suggests that the strict day/evening or formal/informal classifications we now go by, were unknown back then.

This picture has been shown on this forum before, but it serves the purpose again - even if there is a suspicion that it has been staged. Said to be a smith in Pitlochry, our fine fellow is sporting both a hair sporran and tartan hose.

images.jpg

There is an abundance of same era photos of ghillies and other equally down-to-earth professionals who are shown kilted with hair sporrans, going about their rough-and-ready activities.

The white hair and dark tassel sporrans have a distinct 'dressy' look to them, but the dark hair versions - especially those with a leather cantle, such as the London Scottish use - lend themselves very well to informal daywear.

If you fancy using one, why not..?

[User]

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It seems to be universally accepted that a kilt should end somewhere between the top and the middle of the knee. But that kilt appears to end at the bottom of the knee, and it looks mighty fine in my opinion. I'm tempted to try a bottom-of-the-knee kilt. I do a lot of sitting, and a little extra length doesn't seem like a bad idea to me.

I know there are two schools of thought: If it's not traditional, it's wrong. Or do whatever you want, there are no rules. But at times I find myself torn between them. I don't want to look like I don't know what I'm doing. But sometimes I know what I'm doing, I'm just choosing to ignore convention.

[figheadair]

It seems to be universally accepted that a kilt should end somewhere between the top and the middle of the knee. But that kilt appears to end at the bottom of the knee, and it looks mighty fine in my opinion. I'm tempted to try a bottom-of-the-knee kilt. I do a lot of sitting, and a little extra length doesn't seem like a bad idea to me.

I know there are two schools of thought: If it's not traditional, it's wrong. Or do whatever you want, there are no rules. But at times I find myself torn between them. I don't want to look like I don't know what I'm doing. But sometimes I know what I'm doing, I'm just choosing to ignore convention.

I would lay money on that kilt being a hand-me-down and not made for him. The length is therefore not an historically reliable guide.

Oh and there are very definitely some rules, pleats at the front for example.