Spats!

[Shanghailander]

You know, I don't know why they ever went out of style. About six years ago I bought a nice pair of grey wool spats in Charleston, SC while on a trip there. About two years later, on a bone chilling evening, I decided to wear them, knowing I would be walking through snow and ice from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station to my hotel near City Hall. Although they certainly offered some protection from the elements, where they really stood out was the warmth they gave my feet and ankles.

At the time, I suspected I might have been the first non-thespian to wear them in 65 years!

Since then, I will don them when walking about city or town in cold weather.

I noted that in the recent movie "La La Land" the male lead wears them in a few scenes, as well as a collar bar, another accoutrement I wear every single day.

I recently bought a pair of white linen spats which I will wear to the Saratoga races this summer - I usually favor Spectators for that, but this will give me another option.

Anyone else wear these as a utilitarian, as opposed to fashion, accessory?

 

[Edward]

Not for a while - my last pair got mothed - but I do like them. Never in Summer (too warm; my theory is that two-tone co-respondents developed as a way of wearing something spat-like in the Summer....). Always Winter. I need to get on and have some new ones made.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Dang. I need a pair of spats. Here in Vienna, temps have hovered around freezing for over a month. They'd be perfect to put on in the morning, wear them while I'm waiting for the tram, remove them in the office, and then put them on again for the commute home. I'm also surprised that they ever went out of style. Is the culprit (as has been suggested regarding the demise of hats) the automobile?

 

[Edward]

More likely central heating.

 

[Michael A]

I found a pair of somewhat mothed spats made in England for Edwin Clapp company.
Vintage Spats with Bass Weejun Shoes by Michael A2012, on Flickr

I think I'll have to try to make up a pair or two that will fit my foot in a regular shoe, I could barely squeeze these onto the Weejuns.
DSCN2055 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr

Michael

 

[paxonus]

If you like spats you would REALLY like balmorals:

https://www.jfitzpatrickfootwear.com/collections/boots/products/westlake-hazel-calf-forest-tweed

 

[-30-]

Looks as if you have them on the wrong feet.
( L- R )

You will probably also need a button hook to aid with the install & remove.

Regards,
J T

 

[Michael A]

Oh yeah, I would love a pair of those boots.

Ha ha. Yes, on the wrong feet. I have a buttonhook, but the buttons weren't the problem, the leather straps are too short and it was easier to get them hooked on this way than the other. I think my first project along these lines will be some leather gaiters to wear in the woods while hunting mushrooms.

Michael

 

[Stepikos0]

I wanna see the details.

 

[F. J.]

[...] I recently bought a pair of white linen spats [...]

Linen spats? Where did you find linen spats? As I live in Mississippi, I might have to get myself a pair of those!

I have a pair of wool spats from a little shop in New York that I like to wear from time to time (Link). When I got them a few years ago, they were the only real ones I could find on this side of the pond. (By real, I mean with buttons and a leather strap instead of the snaps and elastic you find on the costume variety.)

 

[Shanghailander]

Saratoga racing season opened a few weeks ago - I wore a white linen suit on opening day, but wore my spats the next day.

 

[shadowrider]

Does anyone know where I could find waxed canvas tall spats (I think they are called "gaiters")?
Looking for traditional ones with side buttons and under-the-foot strap, but all the ones I found are elasticized and ugly. They are used for hiking, hunting, horse riding and such.

 

[Edward]

Does anyone know where I could find waxed canvas tall spats (I think they are called "gaiters")?
Looking for traditional ones with side buttons and under-the-foot strap, but all the ones I found are elasticized and ugly. They are used for hiking, hunting, horse riding and such.

Could try a pair of repop WW2 US Army ones, though you'd have to wax them yourself.