That does sound like a pain in the patoot Luckally, spats don't have to be so painfully white. My favoite is gray. Also, some materials, like wool felt, don't have to be starched regularly.

I can relate to the dirt problem, though. I have a pair of white canvas ankle spats I wear when dressed formally and in trousers (doesn't happen often anymore, but it has), and keeping them white was a chore.

Cheers,
Nick