Spats (sp?)

[GlassMan]

I hope I spelled that correctly. I'm wondering if anyone has ever considered wearing spats (those little white things that cover the tops of your shoes and the bottoms of your socks)?

After a recent accident (flipped my wheel chair while going up a wet, steep grade) I may have to go back to wearing a small ankle brace for a short time. The thing feels really uncomfortable worn inside my kilt socks but it looks awful on the outside since it's only on one leg.

So I was thinking of ordering some spats even though the only people I've ever seen wear them are pipers or highland regiments in dress uniform.

Any comments on whether you guys think it will look okay?

[haukehaien]

Spats look great ... with No. 1 military dress, when you're playing the pipes or drums. Otherwise, I think they just look silly. Honestly, I think the brace would look better than spats; they're just not worn any more except with military/military-style uniforms, and I think they'd look odd.

[Southern Breeze]

Have you considerd hiking gaiters? they would be lighter and cooler . I wear them not only hiking but also at work when I'm running any type of equipment that throws stuff around.

[Nick]

I know some people don't like them, but I think spats are great. I wear them when I dress up in trousers, because they look good and keep the dirt out of low top shoes when I wear them (I usually wear boots). When I have to wear low top shoes during the day (not dressed up) while kilted I've worn WWII era leggings.

The spats you usually see on pipers aren't the same as regular ankle spats, obviously. In general they cover more of the shoe and rise up the back of the calf, though I've seen ones with straight tops. For what you need, though, the higher rise of either over ankle spats would be just right.

My suggestion would be to either seek out grey ones or dye them. White is usally dressier.

[GlassMan]

I usually wear coat and tie with my kilts, just because I like being dressy so a dressy look isn't a problem for me.

But I do have a question for Southern Breeze. What are hiking gaiters?

[Angus MacSpey]

Are we confusing spats with puttees or gaiters here? To my recollection, they are two different animals.

Speaking of animals, if you're ever in Louisiana, don't get in any spats with gaiters.

[GlassMan]

I thought spats & gaiters were two different things too. I was thinking of the dressier item sold in the 20's & 30's as Men's Spats.

[MacMullen]

Spats:


Hiking Gaiters:


Ankle Hiking Gaiters:

[Andrew Breecher]

I'm wearing a closer style of low hiking gaiters, more similar to spats, in this photo:


Andrew.

[Big Dave]

Wear the Spats. If no one is wearing them all the time, you might start a new trend.