Civilian Spats

[puddlemuddle]

also,
J. Higgins has full diced hose fopr 60.00.
http://www.jhiggins.net/sf_proddetai...39H51F6K1QVR78

[Clockwork John]

Based on the pictures, I think spats for formal wear would be a great idea.

I say go for it!

[James MacMillan]

I also wear evening attire often. And - I was also brought up to think that plain solid colored hose are not correct for evening attire. My father wore black spats, but I out-grew his shoe size when I was in my teens. He wore black spats for evening wear, I always thought it was because he really didn't have a really good pair of dress shoes. There may have been other reasons.

However, I wouldn't think that white spats would be proper.

I did find ..this.. where they sell different colored spats, and I just might try them.

I think black spats would be perfect with footless cadadh or footless diced hose tops for formal wear. I think I'll try this.

[PiobBear]

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.

What on earth do you do? I'm a pretty active piper, and I do a lot of weddings, but going formal at least once or twice a week all year long?

Anyway, I wouldn't be caught dead wearing spats & hose tops with formal Highland wear; in my opinion it'd look thoroughly ridiculous.

[James MacMillan]

I'm totally reserving judgement on the spat issue till I have a chance to see what the many components look like together as a whole.

As for the initial purpose of spats - weren't they made to protect the shoe? High formal wear for the pants crowd would see black or grey spats. Pipers and the gun carriers wear them also.

Has anybody seen a graphic of spats with formal highland attire?

[macwilkin]

also,
J. Higgins has full diced hose fopr 60.00.
http://www.jhiggins.net/sf_proddetai...39H51F6K1QVR78

The Tartan Thistle's 100% Wool diced hose are of a much better quality that the acrylic hose from Higgins.

T.

[Chef]

What on earth do you do? I'm a pretty active piper, and I do a lot of weddings, but going formal at least once or twice a week all year long?

I realise that probably seems like a lot of formal wear and probably more than most of the rabble would do in a year but it breaks down like this:

I own a catering company and we do Scottish weddings. When I run these I always wear a PC. Depending on the year 4 to 8 times a year so let's say 6.

Various Masonic events at which black tie is required and I wear a kilt around 10.

Appearances to do the "Address to a Haggis" 20 or more.

Attending Scottish society events (St. Andrews, Caledonian etc.) 5 or 6

Appearances for whisky companies or distributors 15 or more depending.

So yes, on average I am in a formal get up once a week. Of course it doesn't work like that. Some weeks I am in a formal rig all week, usually around Burns Night and Tartan Day. That's when having hose tops with spats and comfy cotton socks would be great!

Anyway, I wouldn't be caught dead wearing spats & hose tops with formal Highland wear; in my opinion it'd look thoroughly ridiculous.

I'm not sure I don't agree with you, just asking the question. Also I think the military spats might be too much (or not) I really like what Sir Harry is wearing here:



They seem a little higher that ankle spats but not as large as the military ones. Of course they might not work with standard hose tops but if i had them custom made I'm sure it could be worked out.

The other thing about the military spats is the rise in the back. All the ones I found online have this, but I know I have seen pipers with spats that don't rise in the back. Has anyone seen these for sale?

[Nick]

As for the initial purpose of spats - weren't they made to protect the shoe? High formal wear for the pants crowd would see black or grey spats. Pipers and the gun carriers wear them also.

Initially, when they were still "spatterdashes". By the time they evolved into ankle spats they were mostly decorative. Spatterdash.com is the best place to go for ankle spats, I haven't bought a pair myself yet, though once I've got the money I will. They should be coming out with boxcloth spats with leather straps and buckles, though I'm not sure when.

Grey was the most common color, along with tan and white. White is the most formal, though it did depend on the time of day and climate. Grey is the best all around.

I've seen the piper's spats with the level tops for sale a couple times. I'll take a look 'round and see if I can find them again.

Cheers,
Nick

[Chef]

The Tartan Thistle's 100% Wool diced hose are of a much better quality that the acrylic hose from Higgins.

I won't knock anyone who has them, but I think they are a budget item that would be a good choice for light wear or for a pipe band on a budget. I'd be afraid they wouldn't hold up so if that was my choice I would stick with the good off-white hose I wear.

I did find ..this.. where they sell different colored spats, and I just might try them.

I came across this site as well. The only problem with their ankle spats is I don't think they are tall enough to use with hose tops. I think they would look great with a tux though. On that note however, I sent them an email asking if it was possible to have them made a little taller (similar to the ones Sir Harry was wearing). I'll let you know if I get an answer.

Grey was the most common color, along with tan and white. White is the most formal, though it did depend on the time of day and climate. Grey is the best all around.

That was always my understanding from the pictures.

I've seen the piper's spats with the level tops for sale a couple times. I'll take a look 'round and see if I can find them again.

That would be great. I've seen them but I couldn't find them in my search. The two things that I think make the piper's spats a bad choice for regular wear are the rise in the back and the fact they cover so much of the shoe. From the pictures the rise in the back seems difficult to correct but if one found the horizontal tops I'm sure a shoe repair shop could make the changes to the bottom.

[ChattanCat]

I also wear evening attire often. And - I was also brought up to think that plain solid colored hose are not correct for evening attire. My father wore black spats, but I out-grew his shoe size when I was in my teens. He wore black spats for evening wear, I always thought it was because he really didn't have a really good pair of dress shoes. There may have been other reasons.

However, I wouldn't think that white spats would be proper.

I did find ..this.. where they sell different colored spats, and I just might try them.

I think black spats would be perfect with footless cadadh or footless diced hose tops for formal wear. I think I'll try this.

I need some Cat Spats