Spats and Glengarry

**Livercunian** · 23rd April 14, 07:40 AM

Hi guys!
I wore white (Blancoed) Highlander Spats with a diced Glengarry,Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Kilt,Woollen Hunting Waistcoat,Harris Tweed Jacket,Black & Red Argyll Hose Tops and Army Issue Highland Brogues.
Thoughts please?

**Chas** · 23rd April 14, 09:00 AM

Up to you, of course, but I don't like spats for civilian wear - unless you live on an unmade gravel track.

Sorry.

**MacLowlife** · 23rd April 14, 09:15 AM

Greetings,

You have achieved an interesting look. I think the combination of tweed, waistcoat and tartan is nice, though I prefer a shorter jacket. Your Saxon coat obscures both your sporran and the better part of your pleats in the rear. One doesn't see many civilians wearing white spats on these pages. Are those diced hose or hose tops?

I have a series of collectible "figures of speech" cards that came in cigarette packs. There is one of pretty dubious political correctness which depicts a man shooting whilst wearing spats and a Glengarry. Things have changed since those cigarette cards came out and many people wear the kilt in ways that they didn't before. Still, I think you have perhaps one step too many military items without being in uniform.

Others may differ and my opinion should not change your own opinions, but I think I would leave the spats for some other occasion.

Thanks for posting

**Nathan** · 23rd April 14, 09:36 AM

Since you asked for thoughts, mine are as follows:

Pros:
1) I like the Glengarry. It's a nice fit and I like that you wear it on a jaunty angle.
2) I like the waistcoat a lot.
3) I like the necktie.
4) I like the facial hair style. Works really well with the Glengarry and the overall look.

Cons:
1) I'm not a fan of the long, Saxon-cut, tweed jacket with the kilt as mentioned above. A jacket cut to be worn with the kilt would be preferable.
2) I'm not a fan of spats with civilian wear or diced hose with day wear. Diced hose (especially in this colour scheme) are a very formal look and don't pair so well with tweed. Spats and hose tops are a military or pipe band dressed as military look that never really took hold in civilian wear even at a formal level. As I mentioned, the look is even more out of place with day wear. I recommend a pair of simple plain coloured wool hose like perhaps a lovat green, loden or oatmeal.
3) To each his own, but I'm not such a fan of the semi-dress sporran. If I were to wear one, it would be paired with a black barrathea Argyll jacket. I had a formal prince charlie style sporran which was losing fur and tassels that I converted to a semi-dress. It was neither formal nor day appropriate so I eventually traded it for a nice brown leather day sporran and couldn't be happier with the decision.

Keep on kilting!

**Tobus** · 23rd April 14, 10:37 AM

First of all, thanks for posting the photo! I always like to see folks experimenting with things like this and having the intestinal fortitude to throw it out there for others to dissect. There's a lot about your look that I like, and I say that to differentiate between looking great and being 'correct' or 'traditional', which is where these discussions often go. Keeping in mind that we're not in the traditional kilt forum, and you're free to deviate from established traditions, you may wear it however you like. And if you like that look, by all means, keep experimenting with it.

I do have to agree with the others on the jacket. Saxon-cut jackets just don't work with a kilt, either aesthetically or practically. A kilt-cut jacket really changes the visual dynamics to an extent way beyond what you'd expect.

The Glengarry is a matter of personal choice. I don't personally care for them, but they are an absolutely viable choice for civilian wear, even with the dicing.

Love the tie and waistcoat, and the kilt looks like it's a good length. The sporran is even OK, although it's in that confusing "semi-dress" category.

OK, on the hose and spats. As others have said, diced hose and spats are pretty much a military or band uniform thing these days. Oh how I wish it weren't so, because I love the way they look! Spats really add visual interest below the kilt. And while it is true that they never caught on as part of traditional civilian wear, it's not like they were never worn outside of military uniforms. As the image below shows of Sir Colin Campbell, the Marquis of Breadalbane, K.G., "The Queen's Lord Steward" (from 1894), spats can really add a touch of class with daywear, even with plain-coloured hose.

But of course, there's quite a difference between what he could swing back then and what you or I could swing today. Given the lack of evidence that this was ever common for civilians, and even if it had been, today it is seen as a bit of an anachronistic costume. Which is fine if you're into that sort of thing, as long as you are aware of it. I really do wish they would make a comeback, as they'd at least save my shoes from most of the dust and dirt that we have around here.

**Sean D** · 23rd April 14, 02:29 PM

I wear spats and hose tops in a band setting and I must say I am not a fan of the white hose and brogues look at all . I am aware that convention is that spats are military etc however I have seen many pictures and colour plates etc where spats are worn with civilian dress and I am of the understanding that spats were worn with civilian dress in years gone by . It is possible that the military adopted and adapted them for their use , however spats were once fashionable with the wearing of trousers as well. I am not suggesting that a military band doublet be worn with civvie dress but I must say I think spats look neat as worn on both pictures . Hope my opinion does not offend anyone just my few cents worth . Thanks

**Tobus** · 23rd April 14, 02:35 PM

It is possible that the military adopted and adapted them for their use , however spats were once fashionable with the wearing of trousers as well.

Indeed they were fashionable with trousers. But were they ever part of the Highland civilian tradition? I have only ever seen a few random examples, while the vast majority of photographic examples show no spats being worn. It seems the conclusion would be that they never really caught with Highland dress outside the military.