Spats

**Nick** · 27th October 08, 02:01 PM

Thanks

Derek, it depends. For civilian wear I think they would work just as they are. I could wear these myself with the kilt if they were my size. The spats worn by pipers cover much more of the shoe, going further around the sides and much closer to the toe. I personally wouldn't wear that type out and about, but the type which cover less of the shoe (like these I made), I would definitly wear about town. Hope that's clear.

Regards,
Nick

**Derek Conley** · 27th October 08, 03:13 PM

Makes sense... thank you!

I also noticed that spats worn by pipers go higher up the leg as well.

**gilmore** · 27th October 08, 03:41 PM

It would seem that civilian spats when worn with kilts are (or were) higher than those worn with trousers, judging from the drawings earlier in this thread. Both the Edwardian gentlemen are wearing spats taller than those worn in the 1920's and '30's, and today. I count six buttons on the one in which you can see the buttons.

Virtually all the non-piper's spats I have seen for sale online are shorter and have only four buttons.

Ironically I received in the mail today a pair of hose tops in Morrison tartan that I got at quite a bargain online. When I tried them on, it found that it looks as if shorter, four button spats will not come up the leg high enough to cover them so there is no danger of them popping out over th tops of the spats.

So, now I have to find or make six or seven button, high spats to wear with them. And for my big US size 12 feet. Or wear piper's spats with their peak in the rear, which might be a huge fashion faux pas for all I know. I would not want to be dragged out and beaten senseless at the next Burns supper.

It may very well turn out that the necessary spats are more expensive and harder to find than the hose tops.

**Bugbear** · 27th October 08, 03:57 PM

Gilmore's "puttin' on the Ritz!"

**gilmore** · 27th October 08, 04:30 PM

Ever seen some one tap dance in a kilt?

**Bugbear** · 27th October 08, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by gilmore

Ever seen some one tap dance in a kilt?

Not exactly tap dance... but close. I was thinking of the first few lines of that very famous and catchy song...

Hope you find the right spats, Gilmore. "Now, if you're blue..."

**Casper** · 29th October 08, 07:19 PM

Now, here's another one... what about using something OTHER than white for kilt spats? Say, make them black for a funeral?

On a side note, does anyone actually HAVE a pattern for them?

**gilmore** · 29th October 08, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Casper

Now, here's another one... what about using something OTHER than white for kilt spats? Say, make them black for a funeral?

On a side note, does anyone actually HAVE a pattern for them?

I think I came across patterns for spats doing a Google search.

**Derek Conley** · 30th October 08, 04:12 AM

Originally Posted by Casper

Now, here's another one... what about using something OTHER than white for kilt spats? Say, make them black for a funeral?

On a side note, does anyone actually HAVE a pattern for them?

Very interesting idea...