Civilian Spats

**Tobus** · 28th September 11, 05:47 AM

Now that is an interesting photo, OC Richard. Do you know what year it was taken? I'm guessing somewhere between 1905 and 1910, but I could be way off.

It is indeed a great example of civilian Highlanders wearing spats.

However, I can't help but notice some other things going on there too. Nice solid-colour hose with no visible garter ties, which I sort of like. And the tweed jackets and waistcoats are very nice. But both of these fellows seem to be wearing their kilts a little longer than I was expecting. Looks like the bottom of the knee in length.

And I'm curious about their hats too. They aren't flat caps... but they both seem to have a check pattern on them. What do you call the style of the one on the right?

**CMcG** · 28th September 11, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

just came across this photo...

What lovely check tweed jackets and waistcoats! Note the notched lapels to the waistcoats.

But there again are spats associated with Highland outdoor civilian dress.

Originally Posted by Tobus

<snip>
And I'm curious about their hats too. They aren't flat caps... but they both seem to have a check pattern on them. What do you call the style of the one on the right?

Nice find with that photo OC Richard, that's a perfect example of oldschool spats. I really like their outfits in general but, like Tobus, I'd like to know about their hats... anyone?

**Brock63** · 28th September 11, 06:14 AM

gaiters are without peer when wearing short boots in tall grass or snow or even in very loose gravel/rocks...it keeps the debris on outside where it belongs rather than working itself between your inner sole and foot and causing discomfort. I wear them if out hunting more than a day at a time and also when hiking....wore them a lot in military but not so much now. I think they have faded as more streets are paved, more walks are stone or concrete and people generally do not go outside in pastures or fields to ready their horses for riding or carriages or take the stroll across the pasture on the way to town or pub.....

**Jaeson** · 28th September 11, 06:20 AM

I found these: http://www.armynavydeals.com/asp/pro...Parade%20Gloss

And these: WWW.GasolinaBoots.com.

**Tobus** · 28th September 11, 08:19 AM

Wow, Jaeson, I really dig those Gasolina spats. They would be perfect for converting a pair of regular shoes or boots into Ren-faire boots. Definitely nowhere near being historically accurate, and would be more in the "fantasy footwear" category, but still. They look like a fairly inexpensive option to buying full-fledged Ren-faire boots like everyone else wears.

**Tobus** · 26th October 11, 03:24 PM

Civilian spats!!!

These dove-grey civilian style spatterdashes came to me courtesy of CMcG. Thanks again, man! They were too small for him, and almost too small for me, but I made them work. As soon as I got them, I promptly broke both the leather straps trying to put them on (the leather was very old and cracked). It took me a while to find the time for this project, but I finally got around to replacing the leather straps with new ones I made from latigo leather.

Anyway, I have absolutely no idea where I will wear these, but I really like the look of them. Someone please tell me what the etiquette is on wearing spats with Highland attire. Is it OK for daywear? Casual? Formal? What?

The pics:

And a couple of extreme close-ups of them.

Outboard side:

Inboard side:

**CMcG** · 26th October 11, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Civilian spats!!!

These dove-grey civilian style spatterdashes came to me courtesy of CMcG. Thanks again, man! They were too small for him, and almost too small for me, but I made them work. As soon as I got them, I promptly broke both the leather straps trying to put them on (the leather was very old and cracked). It took me a while to find the time for this project, but I finally got around to replacing the leather straps with new ones I made from latigo leather.

Anyway, I have absolutely no idea where I will wear these, but I really like the look of them. Someone please tell me what the etiquette is on wearing spats with Highland attire. Is it OK for daywear? Casual? Formal? What?

It was my pleasure and I'm glad that they fit you. Good thing you were able to replace those vintage leather straps

They look great, I have to say! Judging by the old photos, they are more of a daywear thing. You could wear them with dressed up with a tweed jacket and tie too. For formal wear, a material like silk might seem more suitable.

I'm just guessing though. You're kind of out in historical traditional territory with those because people don't really wear them anymore...

**FatherWilliam57** · 26th October 11, 09:19 PM

I cannot answer your question concerning when and/or if appropriate to wear, but I like them! They compliment what you are wearing in the pictures nicely IMHO. Congratulations!

**Tobus** · 27th October 11, 04:43 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

It was my pleasure and I'm glad that they fit you. Good thing you were able to replace those vintage leather straps

They look great, I have to say! Judging by the old photos, they are more of a daywear thing. You could wear them with dressed up with a tweed jacket and tie too. For formal wear, a material like silk might seem more suitable.

I'm just guessing though. You're kind of out in historical traditional territory with those because people don't really wear them anymore...

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 was figuring they'd be most appropriate for wearing at a Highland Games or other outdoor event, although I don't want to necessarily make a spectacle of myself by wearing them if they're "over the top" for that.

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?

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!

I will definitely look for one of those. Buttoning these up is quite a chore! Not only because they're so snug, but because it's on the outside of my foot, which is difficult to reach with any kind of leverage. A button hook sounds like just the thing I need!

**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!