Fitting Spats... Help!

[Casper]

I know there have been many threads on both the history, and the like/dislike of spats... I, personally, love them. So, I bought a pair of white canvas ones.

Now, life gets difficult.

- Ordered ones that match my shoe size (yes, I made note of the difference between UK and US sizing before ordering). Size 10 (US)
- They are snug around the calf, which feels like it forces them downward a bit, but feel loose around the top of the shoe. The stiff rib on the back rests on the heel of the shoe, but the part that rests on the toe sticks up about a 1/2". And the elastic stirrup seems to be too far back towards the heel.

I've washed them in hot water and worn them to dry (apparently this helps them to dry & shrink slightly to the shape of your ankle), but its only netted marginal gains.

Suggestions? Short of going a size up to accomodate my calf, and potentially moving the elastic stirrup, i'm not sure what else I can possibly do.

Thanks in advance, lads!

[Nick]

Alteration may be your best bet. When you wore them, did they actually slide down your leg?

[Nervous Jock]

To tailor them for the individual you'll need help from a friend. Cut the buttons off, get your mate to wrap the spat round your leg and mark the button side of the spat through the button hole. then stich the buttons back on this should provide a snug fit for your leg. You should need a button hook or the like to put it on as it will be quite a tight fit

[Jock Scot]

Now button hooks are are blast from the past, I used them for doing up my buttons on the bottom of the legs of my riding breeches. They, button hooks, can be still found quite easily in junk shops on this side of the pond.

[BobsYourUncle]

Trust Nervous Jock to be spot on and ready with the best answer possible. I have saved your tailoring procedure in my Kit directory for future use! Thanks, Nervous Jock!

[highlander_Daz]

i personally replace the leather strop at the bottom with elastic

[Nervous Jock]

Now button hooks are are blast from the past, I used them for doing up my buttons on the bottom of the legs of my riding breeches. They, button hooks, can be still found quite easily in junk shops on this side of the pond.

They are also quite readily available in shops for folk with mobility issues

[Casper]

Guess I should have specified... only the top and bottom buttons are functional, the other 4 are a velcro strip (ie: not easily movable).

I'll start with getting the GF to move the elastic stirrup....

[Nervous Jock]

i personally replace the leather strop at the bottom with elastic

I cut about half inch out the middle of the leather strap and sewn in elastic. This gives extra flexibility to the spat but maintains the look of the leather strap from the "outside"

[Nervous Jock]

Guess I should have specified... only the top and bottom buttons are functional, the other 4 are a velcro strip (ie: not easily movable).

I'll start with getting the GF to move the elastic stirrup....

If the Gf is handy enough to do the elastic I'm sure she can handle velcro.