Civilian Spats

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hose tops and bandsman's spats would look ludicrous with formal attire-- no matter how hard you tried, you'd always end up showing marl above the top if the spats-- fine if you are in a band, but dreadful if you are trying to look well-dressed.

Okay, I know that you can buy basketball socks three pair for fifteen bucks at Penny's, so in comprison $100-$200 for a single pair of diced or tartan hose does seem expensive. Looked at another way, that's about what you'd pay for a pair of Nike sport shoes that would last you, what? Three to six months? Properly cared for your hose will last a lot longer.

If, as you say, you will be wearing these as part of your everyday work, then tartan hose should be 100% write-offable against taxes. That being the case, I'd buy 10 pair (go for the discount) and let Uncle Sam pay for them.

If you find that they are subject to abnormal wear then there are a couple of things you can and should do:

1) Visit a chiropodist and make certain that your shoes fit properly;
2) Never wear the same shoes two days in a row, and if at all possible change your shoes after eight hours.
3) Buy some wooden shoe trees and the minute you remove your shoes, put in the trees.
4) If your hose are still showing signs of abrasion, try wearing a pair of those low cut (below the ankle bone) athletic socks under your hose. This will cusion the foot of your hose and should reduce wear considerably.

[Chef]

Hose tops and bandsman's spats would look ludicrous with formal attire-- no matter how hard you tried, you'd always end up showing marl above the top if the spats-- fine if you are in a band, but dreadful if you are trying to look well-dressed.

Which is why you would have custom ones done so that the marl doesn't show. I appreciate your opinion though.

Okay, I know that you can buy basketball socks three pair for fifteen bucks at Penny's, so in comprison $100-$200 for a single pair of diced or tartan hose does seem expensive. Looked at another way, that's about what you'd pay for a pair of Nike sport shoes that would last you, what? Three to six months? Properly cared for your hose will last a lot longer.

Actually this comparison make no sense since I neither wear Nike's nor basketball socks. The tartan hose are expensive compared to their alternatives. I can certainly afford them if I wish, but as a frugal Scot if I can accomplish the same for less I will.

If you find that they are subject to abnormal wear then there are a couple of things you can and should do:

1) Visit a chiropodist and make certain that your shoes fit properly;
2) Never wear the same shoes two days in a row, and if at all possible change your shoes after eight hours.
3) Buy some wooden shoe trees and the minute you remove your shoes, put in the trees.
4) If your hose are still showing signs of abrasion, try wearing a pair of those low cut (below the ankle bone) athletic socks under your hose. This will cusion the foot of your hose and should reduce wear considerably.

Thank you, but I regularly visit a chiropodist and I do know how to care for my shoes. In fact, part of the reason for higher than normal wear for me is due to the orthotics I wear (too many years on my feet I guess). As good as the ones I have are they do cause higher than usual wear in certain spots on the foot of the hose.