Spats

[Celtic Menace]

What are spats for?

[Nick]

Originally they were to protect the shin and keep gunk out of your shoes. Eventually they evolved into fashion items which were for looks and style more than anything else; and a nice pair of spats can dress up a scuffed pair of shoes. They also keep your ankles warm during the colder months.

[Celtic Menace]

Oh. I just assumed that they kept ketchup off your suede shoes.


j/k

[Nervous Jock]

Oh. I just assumed that they kept ketchup off your suede shoes.


j/k

Clearly an Irishman

[Raptor]

I kind of like the theory that they REALLY highlight the diced hose tops

[Robin]

Maybe nice for a piper, but that's about it

[beloitpiper]

As a piper, I can relate to Nervous Jock. Spat are a pain. Not only are the difficult to get on and off, but they require a lot of maintainence. Luckily, my pipe band uses white spats with white buttons...it makes things a little easier.

[Nick]

Not only are the difficult to get on and off, but they require a lot of maintainence.

Do piper's spats have real buttons, or are they snaps? If they're real buttons, a buttonhook works wonders, and the short hooks men used to use for their spats (not the long-handled ladies ones) can be easily had cheap. I use one when putting on mine. Otherwise, yes, it takes unnatural contortions of the body to button them.

[beloitpiper]

I've seen some spats with velcro, but mine are all buttons.

[PiobBear]

Mine are Velcro. I like them because I can wear heavily padded socks and really cushy shoes underneath them, and all you can see are the toes (properly bulled, of course). The very last thing I want to do is march a long parade in ghillies; makes my feet hurt just to think it!