Civilian Spats

**Chef** · 28th December 07, 11:22 AM

OK so maybe it is the military in me, maybe the reincarnated Victorian but it's probably just the frugal Scot, but I have been thinking about spats with civilian formal wear. Why you ask? Well let's start with the fact that I am in black tie, or more, approximately 40 to 50 times a year and that may be a low estimate. Next is the fact that I dislike black or solid coloured hose for formal. I was brought up that you wore argyle/diced hose for formal if you had them (most didn't) and off-white if you didn't. Coloured hose were for day wear and so they probably never will look right to me with a PC or Doublet.

<aside>Please, I'm not looking to start the hose colour debate again</aside>

Anyway, I would love to get more diced or argyle hose but unless I only use them very occasionally their not going to last and that is a large investment to wear out. So I started thinking about hose tops. Pipe bands use them for the very same reason that I am thinking about...less wear and tear. Of course bands hide them with spats.

So has anyone used hose tops and spats with a PC or other formal kilt outfit (excluding band or military uniforms)? What do you think? Look too silly? maybe not?

Now of course there are the usual military spats:

I have seen them without the rise in the back and probably would prefer that but I couldn't find a pic.

But there are also ones like this:

Now they are not quite as high but if the hose tops are ordered correctly they should cover the necessary bits with no problems.

So any opinions? Has anyone done it and has pics? (Jamie?) Just wondering.

**Bugbear** · 28th December 07, 12:11 PM

This is an interesting idea. I think I understand what you are saying, but why not get the expencive hose; if they ware out, it will be in the feet; then you use the hose over socks as footless hose in the way you are describing. Although, I don't think the expencive hose are going to ware out as quickly as you are thinking, if at all.

**Chef** · 28th December 07, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

Although, I don't think the expencive hose are going to ware out as quickly as you are thinking, if at all.

Quite possibly, but at $200 to 300 and up for a quality pair it's expensive to find out. The price of hose tops is also less expensive so I could have more choices for the same amount of money. One thing I should have mentioned is that I find myself occasionally going several days in a row in formal attire and the idea of not needing to deal with washing kilt hose on the road sounds appealing.

**Jock Scot** · 28th December 07, 12:34 PM

I well remember my grand father wearing spats,plus the kilt, whilst grouse shooting ,oh so many years ago and for a wee while my brother wore a pair of US Ranger(?)spats for the same purpose.The Rangers used to train with our Commandos in this part of the Highlands in WW2 and somehow a pair of spats were "liberated".Apart from band type spats I have not seen any for many a year.

**Nick** · 28th December 07, 12:39 PM

I'm a proponent of spats, but I personally wouldn't wear the ankle spats with the kilt. Those are definitly for wear with trousers. I have a few pair, including those ones. One difference between the military spats and the ankle spats (besides length) is that the non-military ones cover less of the shoe.

Here's a couple old pictures of a gent in a suit with spats:

Fairly low tops, hard to tell if they're regular ankle spats or not.

Hard to see where they end here, but my guess would be rather higher up.

He's not wearing a kilt, but this gives you an idea of what ankle spats would look like with hose:

Whichever way you go, make sure to post pictures!

**macwilkin** · 28th December 07, 12:50 PM

The gent in question is Sir Harry Lauder.

Todd

**Bugbear** · 28th December 07, 01:11 PM

Oh ok, I see the angle you're coming from now. That is a very good idea. I don't really doo formal, but that might work for less formal too. I'll look forward to hearing more about the hose tops and all. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Chef

Quite possibly, but at $200 to 300 and up for a quality pair it's expensive to find out. The price of hose tops is also less expensive so I could have more choices for the same amount of money. One thing I should have mentioned is that I find myself occasionally going several days in a row in formal attire and the idea of not needing to deal with washing kilt hose on the road sounds appealing.

**macwilkin** · 28th December 07, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Chef

Quite possibly, but at $200 to 300 and up for a quality pair it's expensive to find out. The price of hose tops is also less expensive so I could have more choices for the same amount of money. One thing I should have mentioned is that I find myself occasionally going several days in a row in formal attire and the idea of not needing to deal with washing kilt hose on the road sounds appealing.

Chef,

Have you looked at the Tartan Thistle in Washington State? They sell 100% Tartan hose for $155. I own a pair and they are very well made; far better than the acrylic tartan/diced hose offered by J. Higgins:

http://www.tartanthistle.com/Argyll_...tan_socks.html

As far as the spats go, I'd have to see it before I would offer my opinion.

T.

**turpin** · 28th December 07, 03:43 PM

Thanks for the link, Todd. $155 is a great price for tartan hose. Are they fully formed with a seam in the rear or seamless?

**puddlemuddle** · 28th December 07, 07:17 PM

Hey Chef,
Here ya go. This is me in the new add for the sea island company. It will be nationwide in magazines like golf digest, wine spectator. etc. etc. I used to wear this every day, but sometime in the summer it got too hot, then I just started wearing them for formal wear.

Cheers,
Chad