Spats

[Casper]

Once upon a time I read of a man that had the "best" spats pattern ever. He was going to post instructions for making. I continued to look but they never showed or I missed it. Does this ring a bell with anyone? I need to wear spats with a uniform for work and I hate the crap that is available. If I must wear them I'd like to wear them well.

Thanks

About half way down the page..
http://www.westcoastkilts.com/highla...s-legdress.php

Don't know if Rob ever got around to tossing up the plans, though. This actually crossed my mind recently, as I got my hands on a pair of the mass-produced ones, and I just CANNOT make them fit right.

[Derek Conley]

Forgive me for being naive, but is there no reputable place to purchase the "correct" spats?

I love the look and would definitely entertain the idea of purchasing a pair.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

You might have some luck with Stewart Christie, Ltd. in Edinburgh. The are the last of the "old time" outfitters and could probably do it. You might also try Gieves & Hawkes, 1 Saville Row, London.

[george7]

Go to your regions pipe competition regulations... read them... wear what they suggest. My suggestion is to dress like the guy who wins every year. Dress like Andrew Lenz or Jori Chrisholm.

[gilmore]

Go to your regions pipe competition regulations... read them... wear what they suggest. My suggestion is to dress like the guy who wins every year. Dress like Andrew Lenz or Jori Chrisholm.

We were discussing in this thread civilian spats that are flat across the top, rather than the military ones that pipers wear, which are pointed in the rear.

[Derek Conley]

Those look great...

Nick, can you tell me what the difference in styling the spats would need to be to wear with a kilt? I hope that's not an abundantly stupid question of me...

[Nick]

Thanks

Derek, it depends. For civilian wear I think they would work just as they are. I could wear these myself with the kilt if they were my size. The spats worn by pipers cover much more of the shoe, going further around the sides and much closer to the toe. I personally wouldn't wear that type out and about, but the type which cover less of the shoe (like these I made), I would definitly wear about town. Hope that's clear.

Regards,
Nick

[Derek Conley]

Makes sense... thank you!

I also noticed that spats worn by pipers go higher up the leg as well.

[gilmore]

It would seem that civilian spats when worn with kilts are (or were) higher than those worn with trousers, judging from the drawings earlier in this thread. Both the Edwardian gentlemen are wearing spats taller than those worn in the 1920's and '30's, and today. I count six buttons on the one in which you can see the buttons.

Virtually all the non-piper's spats I have seen for sale online are shorter and have only four buttons.

Ironically I received in the mail today a pair of hose tops in Morrison tartan that I got at quite a bargain online. When I tried them on, it found that it looks as if shorter, four button spats will not come up the leg high enough to cover them so there is no danger of them popping out over th tops of the spats.

So, now I have to find or make six or seven button, high spats to wear with them. And for my big US size 12 feet. Or wear piper's spats with their peak in the rear, which might be a huge fashion faux pas for all I know. I would not want to be dragged out and beaten senseless at the next Burns supper.

It may very well turn out that the necessary spats are more expensive and harder to find than the hose tops.

[Casper]

Now, here's another one... what about using something OTHER than white for kilt spats? Say, make them black for a funeral?

On a side note, does anyone actually HAVE a pattern for them?