Spats

**MACKAY** · 1st April 05, 06:14 AM

Just curious, are Spats for Military or Band use and dress only? Or would a pair of spats be appropriate to wear with semi or formal dress?

Brian

**macwilkin** · 1st April 05, 08:16 AM

Personally, I think spats/leggings should really be part of uniform "kit", unless you're trying for some sort of "period" outfit of 1930's-era vintage. I have some prints of Scottish attire from that time period that show gents wearing spats as part of their civilian "mufti" attire, though.

Cheers,

Todd

**highlander_Daz** · 1st April 05, 09:07 AM

Please leave spats for the pipe band!!!

**Andrew Breecher** · 1st April 05, 09:08 AM

Spats happened to be popular footwear at the time kilts made their resurgence (Victorian times). Everyone at the time wore spats, so it made sense for those who wore kilts to do the same.

Since people at the time wore regular casual footwear, you can do the same today - I always wear sneakers, sandals, anything that I feel like wearing. (See an example HERE.) In a casual setting I don't think it's out of place at all.

Andrew.

**MACKAY** · 1st April 05, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Personally, I think spats/leggings should really be part of uniform "kit", unless you're trying for some sort of "period" outfit of 1930's-era vintage.

Wasn't really considering buying a pair, just one of those "in the shower" questions that popped into me head.

Have a great weekend all (kilted of course),

Brian Mackay

**Hamish** · 1st April 05, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by highlander_Daz

Please leave spats for the pipe band!!!

Hear! Hear!

White spats : Band uniform.
Natural spats: Historic 'costumes'.

**KiltedBishop** · 6th April 05, 09:53 AM

I guess in that sense I am old fashioned...I think spats with a kilt look very sharp. but I have always been a little off.

**Casey** · 6th April 05, 11:12 AM

One may want to use the modern version, gaiters, when hiking or skiing.

**Andrew Breecher** · 8th April 05, 11:50 PM

I wear modern gaiters while hiking or snowshoeing, for the utilitarian reason of keeping junk out of my shoes. When it's cold out I wear tall, knee-high gaiters, and when it's warm I wear ankle-high gaiters (which are like spats). I'd never wear them any time other than when I'm adventuring outdoors. They're certainly not part of a "costume" but then I never wear my kilt as a costume.

Andrew.

**macwilkin** · 9th April 05, 04:10 AM

OT here, but only a little bit:

I do Spanish-American War reenacting (1898-1902, "Remember the Maine!" and all that), and as part of the US Army's uniform, soldiers were issued canvas leggings or gaithers which were knee-high & served the exact same purpose as Andrew's modern ones. The Span-Am leggings were made of canvas, and very practical -- they do keep dirt, rocks, critters, etc. from getting in your boots or up your trouser-leg. Not to mention the "panache" they give the uniform.

All right, rant over...back to kilts!

Cheers,

Todd