Just thought I'd share a wee comment here ... I once wore full tartan hose (acrylic from J Higgins, so not the most expensive ones) under spats with velcro. The velcro came slightly undone during the course of the parade, or whatever it was that I was piping in, and "napped" the hose near where the openings in the spats were. Needless to say, I did not try to wear full hose with spats ever again!

To echo Piobear, spats are good for hiding comfy shoes. I had a pair of Rockports or similar shoes that had a "notch" in the composite sole to mimic the look of a shoe with a proper heel.

Mark O - Ohio