Civilian Spats

[Bugbear]

This is an interesting idea. I think I understand what you are saying, but why not get the expencive hose; if they ware out, it will be in the feet; then you use the hose over socks as footless hose in the way you are describing. Although, I don't think the expencive hose are going to ware out as quickly as you are thinking, if at all.

[Chef]

Although, I don't think the expencive hose are going to ware out as quickly as you are thinking, if at all.

Quite possibly, but at $200 to 300 and up for a quality pair it's expensive to find out. The price of hose tops is also less expensive so I could have more choices for the same amount of money. One thing I should have mentioned is that I find myself occasionally going several days in a row in formal attire and the idea of not needing to deal with washing kilt hose on the road sounds appealing.

[Bugbear]

Oh ok, I see the angle you're coming from now. That is a very good idea. I don't really doo formal, but that might work for less formal too. I'll look forward to hearing more about the hose tops and all. Good luck.

Quite possibly, but at $200 to 300 and up for a quality pair it's expensive to find out. The price of hose tops is also less expensive so I could have more choices for the same amount of money. One thing I should have mentioned is that I find myself occasionally going several days in a row in formal attire and the idea of not needing to deal with washing kilt hose on the road sounds appealing.

[macwilkin]

Quite possibly, but at $200 to 300 and up for a quality pair it's expensive to find out. The price of hose tops is also less expensive so I could have more choices for the same amount of money. One thing I should have mentioned is that I find myself occasionally going several days in a row in formal attire and the idea of not needing to deal with washing kilt hose on the road sounds appealing.

Chef,

Have you looked at the Tartan Thistle in Washington State? They sell 100% Tartan hose for $155. I own a pair and they are very well made; far better than the acrylic tartan/diced hose offered by J. Higgins:

http://www.tartanthistle.com/Argyll_...tan_socks.html

As far as the spats go, I'd have to see it before I would offer my opinion.

T.

[Nick]

I'm a proponent of spats, but I personally wouldn't wear the ankle spats with the kilt. Those are definitly for wear with trousers. I have a few pair, including those ones. One difference between the military spats and the ankle spats (besides length) is that the non-military ones cover less of the shoe.

Here's a couple old pictures of a gent in a suit with spats:

Fairly low tops, hard to tell if they're regular ankle spats or not.


Hard to see where they end here, but my guess would be rather higher up.


He's not wearing a kilt, but this gives you an idea of what ankle spats would look like with hose:


Whichever way you go, make sure to post pictures!

[macwilkin]

The gent in question is Sir Harry Lauder.

Todd

[Nervous Jock]

One difference between the military spats and the ankle spats (besides length) is that the non-military ones cover less of the shoe.

More for info than anything else the British Army also had short spats, these tended to have chains rather than straps across the sole of the shoe and were referrede to as "Chained spats", as with many other forms of dress recently they have gone by the by.