Sporran chain/strap/hanger ?

Kilt-based fashions, both traditional and contemporary. Come on guys, bring on the pleats!
Post Reply
User avatar
D McD
Member
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2019 9:30 pm
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Contact:

Sporran chain/strap/hanger ?

Post by D McD »

Greetings, all

I've been wondering how to wear a sporran. I've done some reading about chains vs straps, and it seems both are "acceptable" but straps are lighter and easier on kilt fabric than possibly a chain with maybe sharp edges.

But how about the hangers that I've seen on Amazon and elsewhere that loop around the belt and have short pieces to connect to the sporran from one's belt front.

Has anyone experimented with those? Good or bad? Fashion faux pas or acceptable?

Many thanks for any advice available

David.
User avatar
r.m.anderson
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 2601
Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 6:25 pm
Location: Burnsville MN USA

Re: Sporran chain/strap/hanger ?

Post by r.m.anderson »

The original design was two belt loops on the back of the kilt
then a small linked chain passing thru both of those to hold
the sporran on top of the front aprons at about mid juncture
meaning not at the waist or the knees.
Sporrans come in many sizes and designs - basically a simple
round pouch made of leather - animal hide - cloth or some
faux space age material.
It may very well have a flap to prevent the contents
of who knows what is carried within from falling out.
In case you don't have a following of a pipe and DRUM corp
the tassels serve as the drumming instrument - why in the
heck I don't know - maybe just ornamental - stupid ornaments.

Modern ingenuity has replaced the chain in pieces and parts
with leather or leather like straps that are snapped over a kilt belt
and hold the sporran. Note that a kilt belt or a belt of sort is
needed to hang the sporran off of - free hanging won't work here.

Yes there is a definite long term advantage for elimination of the
chain or any portion of it. Some rough weave tartan patterns
would be prone to having the chain snag on that rough surface.

Sporrans are usually worn with a full dress kilt outfit and are
optional otherwise.
One kilt maker Sport Kilt has a helping method to eliminate it
by having an interior pocket sewn between the aprons.

Why the sporran that Harvey ball banging busting jewel protector
well picking a pocket would be difficult if the jewels were in a
secure pouch right out in common front view.

Has anyone experimented with those? Good or bad? Fashion faux pas or acceptable?

If part of a uniform regiment of kilted troops where uniformity is
the rule then wear the same configuration as the rest.
If wearing Formal dress gear - wear your rube Goldberg conversion
at your convenience or discretion.
"YES SKIRTING MATTERS"!
"Kilt-On" -or- as the case may be "Skirt-On" !
WHY ?
Isn't wearing a kilt enough?
Well a skirt will do in a pinch!
Make mine short and don't you dare think of pinching there !
User avatar
Uncle Al
Moderator
Posts: 3854
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2003 10:07 pm
Location: Duncanville, TX USA

Re: Sporran chain/strap/hanger ?

Post by Uncle Al »

I have, and use, the Sporran hangers.
The "Chain Belt" will not go around my waist, therefore, the Sporran hangs
from my belt.

Just my $.02 worth :D

Uncle Al
:mrgreen: :ugeek: :mrgreen:
Kilted Organist/Musician
Grand Musician of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Texas 2008-2009, 2015-2016,
2018-202 ? (and the beat goes on ;) )
When asked 'Why the Kilt?'
I respond-The why is F.T.H.O.I. (For The H--- Of It)
User avatar
GerdG
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 394
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2003 2:16 pm
Location: DK
Contact:

Re: Sporran chain/strap/hanger ?

Post by GerdG »

I prefer a leather sporran strap over chain straps and hangers. For men of some substance I think hangers have an advantage, however.

Making a leather sporran strap is an easy DIY project, being it simply a leather strap around 3/4 inch wide and with a buckle in one end and holes in the other to adjust lenght of it.

Tartanista is selling them in black and brown for about £10. But if living in the US it might become too costly.
GerdG

There ARE viable alternatives to trousers.
Luke4Away
Junior Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:26 am

Re: Sporran chain/strap/hanger ?

Post by Luke4Away »

My sporrans from Pibroch in Scotland come with a "Whang" - a long thin triangle of leather with three slots cut in the wider end. See: http://www.pibrochscotland.com/sporrans/about/1 Being all leather it does least damage to the kilt fabric.

You thread the thin end through through the slots, doubling back from the third slot to pass that end down though the loop between the first two. Draw tight and you are good to go. The end that hangs down seems to me to add interest to the outfit.

Bob
[attachment=0]DSC03113reduced.JPG[/attachment]
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
greenboots
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 420
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 9:50 pm
Location: West Wickham, SE London

Re: Sporran chain/strap/hanger ?

Post by greenboots »

I like the look of the Pibroch Sporrans and agree that the modern flat ones are awkward to access, but at over £200 each, I won't be buying one!
User avatar
Chirp
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 218
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2019 4:02 am
Location: Ont Canada

Re: Sporran chain/strap/hanger ?

Post by Chirp »

I don't wear my sporran all the time.
Mine has chain to strap. I just use loops to help hold it in place,
I'm also lazy lol
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
No one mess's with a big guy in kilt
Post Reply