Highland dress item (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: SPORRAN (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Highland dress item" with 7 letters is "SPORRAN".Sporran is a traditional Scottish accessory worn with Highland dress, particularly with kilts. It is a small pouch, typically made of leather or fur, worn at the front of the waist and used to hold personal items, serving both a functional and decorative role in Scottish attire.
Why “Sporran” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (7 letters) meaning “Highland dress item.” The answer, SPORRAN, fits perfectly:
- Highland dress item: A sporran is a traditional pouch worn with a kilt as part of Scottish Highland dress. It serves both a decorative and practical function.
- Direct match: With seven letters, sporran exactly matches the clue’s enumeration (7).
- Precise meaning: The term specifically refers to the pouch traditionally made of leather or fur, often decorated, and usually hanging from a chain or strap in front of the kilt.
The sporran is an iconic and indispensable element of traditional Scottish attire:
- Origin and usage: The word sporran comes from the Scottish Gaelic sporan, meaning “purse.” Historically, since kilts lacked pockets, sporrans served as essential storage for small personal items such as coins or keys.
Design evolution:
- Early sporrans were simple leather pouches.
- Over centuries, they became more ornamental, featuring metal cantles (frames), tassels, and fur for ceremonial and formal wear.
Contexts:
- Everyday Highland wear uses plain leather sporrans.
- Formal occasions feature ornate dress sporrans.
Examples:
- “He wore a fur sporran to complete his Highland outfit.”
- “The sporran adds both tradition and function to the Scottish kilt.”
Quick crossword clues like “Highland dress item (7)” are typical general knowledge clues referring to distinct cultural garments or accessories:
- While alternatives like kilt (4) or tam o’shanter (12) may come to mind, sporran is uniquely seven letters long and directly associated with Highland dress.
- The word itself often appears in crosswords referencing Scotland, Highland ceremonies, or traditional wear.
- Understanding cultural attire terms like sporran helps solvers quickly spot thematic answers in similar nationality-based clues.
