Civilian Spats

[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?

[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.

[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.

[Bugbear]

You know, this hose top thing kind of reminds me of way way back when I was a little kid. People were still putting fake turtle neck things on under sweaters instead of getting a turtleneck sweater.

[ChattanCat]

You know, this hose top thing kind of reminds me of way way back when I was a little kid. People were still putting fake turtle neck things on under sweaters instead of getting a turtleneck sweater. ...

I know what they are: a dickie (sp?)

[fluter]

I have a mental image of dove-grey spats, but I don't have a context for it. Somehow I think it may be with morning dress?

Since Bustopher Jones is the St. James' Street cat, does anyone recall the color of his spats? White? I don't think he went in for Highland attire, though. See T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats

I know what they are: a dickie (sp?)

Hmm, I think that I still have one. It's used for polishing the car.

[puddlemuddle]

ok im lost....what is a "Marl"..........

[Bugbear]

You know, I have no idea what a "Marl" is. I Really don't know anything much about any of this.