Civilian Spats

[macwilkin]

I won't knock anyone who has them, but I think they are a budget item that would be a good choice for light wear or for a pipe band on a budget. I'd be afraid they wouldn't hold up so if that was my choice I would stick with the good off-white hose I wear.

Trust me, they're not a budget item. I would classify the tartan/diced hose from Higgins as "budget", but the Tartan Thistle Hose are well-made. They're not hose from Cullin Craft, but they're not cheap either.

Granted, I don't wear mine as much as you do, but in the three years I've owned mine, they're holding up very well.

So, to use an old phrase around these parts, "don't knock 'em 'till you try 'em".

T.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hose tops and bandsman's spats would look ludicrous with formal attire-- no matter how hard you tried, you'd always end up showing marl above the top if the spats-- fine if you are in a band, but dreadful if you are trying to look well-dressed.

Okay, I know that you can buy basketball socks three pair for fifteen bucks at Penny's, so in comprison $100-$200 for a single pair of diced or tartan hose does seem expensive. Looked at another way, that's about what you'd pay for a pair of Nike sport shoes that would last you, what? Three to six months? Properly cared for your hose will last a lot longer.

If, as you say, you will be wearing these as part of your everyday work, then tartan hose should be 100% write-offable against taxes. That being the case, I'd buy 10 pair (go for the discount) and let Uncle Sam pay for them.

If you find that they are subject to abnormal wear then there are a couple of things you can and should do:

1) Visit a chiropodist and make certain that your shoes fit properly;
2) Never wear the same shoes two days in a row, and if at all possible change your shoes after eight hours.
3) Buy some wooden shoe trees and the minute you remove your shoes, put in the trees.
4) If your hose are still showing signs of abrasion, try wearing a pair of those low cut (below the ankle bone) athletic socks under your hose. This will cusion the foot of your hose and should reduce wear considerably.

[Nick the DSM]

Hey Chef,
Here ya go. This is me in the new add for the sea island company. It will be nationwide in magazines like golf digest, wine spectator. etc. etc. I used to wear this every day, but sometime in the summer it got too hot, then I just started wearing them for formal wear.



Cheers,
Chad

you look like the guy from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.

[Bugbear]

You know, this hose top thing kind of reminds me of way way back when I was a little kid. People were still putting fake turtle neck things on under sweaters instead of getting a turtleneck sweater.

[ChattanCat]

You know, this hose top thing kind of reminds me of way way back when I was a little kid. People were still putting fake turtle neck things on under sweaters instead of getting a turtleneck sweater. ...

I know what they are: a dickie (sp?)

[Chef]

Trust me, they're not a budget item. I would classify the tartan/diced hose from Higgins as "budget", but the Tartan Thistle Hose are well-made. They're not hose from Cullin Craft, but they're not cheap either.

Sorry, I was actually referring to the Higgins' hose.

[fluter]

I have a mental image of dove-grey spats, but I don't have a context for it. Somehow I think it may be with morning dress?

Since Bustopher Jones is the St. James' Street cat, does anyone recall the color of his spats? White? I don't think he went in for Highland attire, though. See T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats

I know what they are: a dickie (sp?)

Hmm, I think that I still have one. It's used for polishing the car.

[Chef]

Hose tops and bandsman's spats would look ludicrous with formal attire-- no matter how hard you tried, you'd always end up showing marl above the top if the spats-- fine if you are in a band, but dreadful if you are trying to look well-dressed.

Which is why you would have custom ones done so that the marl doesn't show. I appreciate your opinion though.

Okay, I know that you can buy basketball socks three pair for fifteen bucks at Penny's, so in comprison $100-$200 for a single pair of diced or tartan hose does seem expensive. Looked at another way, that's about what you'd pay for a pair of Nike sport shoes that would last you, what? Three to six months? Properly cared for your hose will last a lot longer.

Actually this comparison make no sense since I neither wear Nike's nor basketball socks. The tartan hose are expensive compared to their alternatives. I can certainly afford them if I wish, but as a frugal Scot if I can accomplish the same for less I will.

If you find that they are subject to abnormal wear then there are a couple of things you can and should do:

1) Visit a chiropodist and make certain that your shoes fit properly;
2) Never wear the same shoes two days in a row, and if at all possible change your shoes after eight hours.
3) Buy some wooden shoe trees and the minute you remove your shoes, put in the trees.
4) If your hose are still showing signs of abrasion, try wearing a pair of those low cut (below the ankle bone) athletic socks under your hose. This will cusion the foot of your hose and should reduce wear considerably.

Thank you, but I regularly visit a chiropodist and I do know how to care for my shoes. In fact, part of the reason for higher than normal wear for me is due to the orthotics I wear (too many years on my feet I guess). As good as the ones I have are they do cause higher than usual wear in certain spots on the foot of the hose.

[puddlemuddle]

ok im lost....what is a "Marl"..........

[Bugbear]

You know, I have no idea what a "Marl" is. I Really don't know anything much about any of this.