Civilian Spats

**piperchris** · 27th October 11, 07:53 AM

Spats are GREAT!

**Tobus** · 27th October 11, 08:07 AM

What colour are your House of Cheviot, Lewis style hose? Bison?

I'm embarrassed to say I don't remember exactly whether they're bison or dark natural. I seem to think they're dark natural, though, as bison would be a bit lighter in shade. I'm not sure House of Cheviot makes dark natural any more (though I do see a colour called "tundra" which seems very close, but may not be available in all lines of hose).

At any rate, I do like these hose and think they work well with the dove-grey spats. The combination of the cabling on the cuff which makes my calves look larger, with the slimming effect of the spats on my ankles, actually gives my legs some shape!

Certain hose styles and colours tend to make my legs look like straight bird legs. So I really appreciate the effect here with these spats and these hose.

**flyrod6057** · 27th October 11, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

Sure thing. They are from Earth Island Footwear/Turtle Island Moccasins and are listed as:

"USMC Mess Dress Spats
Cream Bull Hide with Black toes & heels
on Red underlay & piping
with 5 Antler buttons & Gumlite Cushion Soles"

I spent 21 years in the Corps, and I can't say I remember ever seeing these in the uniform shop!

I checked out the site, and there's some cool shoes there! Pricey, though...

**creagdhubh** · 27th October 11, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by flyrod6057

I spent 21 years in the Corps, and I can't say I remember ever seeing these in the uniform shop!

I checked out the site, and there's some cool shoes there! Pricey, though...

I agree. As a former Marine NCO, I don't recall ever seeing spats as part of USMC uniform regulations, and I knew the manual inside and out. Perhaps they did exist some time ago, as I am quite sure there have been many MARADMINS (changes) to USMC uniform regs throughout the years.

**CMcG** · 28th October 11, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

You know, I figured them as daywear too. But when I took them over to the saddle shop to work on the leather straps, the old fellow who owns the shop looked at them and said, "Spats? Do you have a matching cummerbund to go with them?" That comment caught me off guard. It sounded like he has seen them worn formally (I assume with a tuxedo). I've never heard of such.

I have seen spats being worn formally with p@nts, so maybe that's what he was thinking? I don't think there is an equivalent usage of spats with civilian formal Highland attire, is there?

Originally Posted by Tobus

Civilian spats may not fall under the realm of modern tradition, but I don't know if they are necessarily relegated to historical tradition either. At least, not in the sense of historical tradition that belted plaids and patterned hose fall under. As we have seen in this thread, civilian spats were somewhat commonplace well into the 20th century (perhaps around the 1930s?), which in my mind is when the modern traditions of Highland attire really started to take root. And as Jock Scot mentioned, he remembers his father wearing them (albeit not necessarily with a kilt). This would be, I'm guessing, around the 1940s.

So while spatterdashes may be quaint and a bit outdated, I am not really sure they should be relegated to the historical file just yet. Who knows... maybe some of us could bring them back into style if we try really hard?

True enough, spats are definitely not on the same historical level as belted plaids. What I meant was that they have fallen out of use for at least a generation... I think you might be just the person to lead the charge for a spatterdash revival!

**CMcG** · 28th October 11, 12:28 AM

FYI, Utilikilt sells spats now:

http://www.utilikilts.com/store/pinf...roducts_id=125

**JSFMACLJR** · 28th October 11, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I have seen spats being worn formally with p@nts, so maybe that's what he was thinking? I don't think there is an equivalent usage of spats with civilian formal Highland attire, is there?
!

No, spats were not worn formally in civilian Highland dress. Furthermore, only the tacky wore them in the evening. Gentlemen did NOT.

**gordontaos** · 28th October 11, 07:42 AM

Tobus-
I think that your spats look just great. I personally would feel comfortable wearing them whenever casually dressed. I mean heck, you live in Texas and you are already wearing a kilt!

**creagdhubh** · 28th October 11, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

No, spats were not worn formally in civilian Highland dress. Furthermore, only the tacky wore them in the evening. Gentlemen did NOT.

They'd look too goofy (unbalanced with Highland evening attire) in my opinion!

**Tobus** · 24th November 11, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Very smart indeed Tobus. Those type of spats are supposed to be a very tight fit and if you have struggled to do up the buttons and still can, then that is how they should be. Now to make your life so much easier you need a button hook. Put the hook through the button hole, hitch the hook to the cotton behind the button and pull the button through the button hole. It does take away all that wrestling with those pesky buttons. Trust me, it does!

What is a button hook? Google it and go to images there are plenty to see. Your best option for your needs is one about 6 inches long. A nice Victorian/Edwardian one is a fine addition to ones dressing table, even if it is not often used these days. Although there is a modern use------my wife uses mine to pull up the zipper at the back of her dress if I am not about to assist!

By the way, Jock, I meant to get back to this earlier but forgot. I took your excellent advice and bought a button hook. This one is probably from the early 20th century and rather plain. But it sure does the trick on getting those spats buttoned up! It took me just a few seconds to do what it was taking several minutes (and a lot of swearing and grunting) to do before.