Talk:Spats (footwear)

spats or gaiters?
are these? Paris By Night 18:56, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

They are spats.
 * What's the difference then? I know I called them 'gaiters' all along.
 * A gaiter starts at the instep, typically not covering much of it, and extends to a point above the ankle, possible as high as the knee. A spat covers the instep, and only extends as high as the ankle or so.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.132.59.83 (talk) 20:11, 29 April 2009 (UTC)

Chinese advice in popular culture section
The reference to "avoid spats" is clearly meant to avoid arguments. (as in lovers spats) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.74.65.11 (talk) 22:05, 8 September 2007 (UTC)

"The Disney comic and cartoon character Scrooge McDuck who rocks, a stereotypical capitalist, wore a top hat and spats—but no shoes."

"Scrooge McDuck, the Disney character wears spats - however only over his webbed feet."

These statements are redundant. ~ Rny2 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.214.199.161 (talk) 01:27, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

The name of the comic strip was "Bringing Up Father" and it was only referred to informally as "Jiggs and Maggie"; in fact, the link for "Jiggs and Maggie" leads to an article with the title "Bringing Up Father." Gdthayer (talk) 22:15, 6 August 2012 (UTC)

Steampunk
Mostly just another note for the popular culture section. Steampunk as a lifestyle/fashion is bringing them back to some extent. In the third edition of the Steampunk magazine there is actually a printable pattern to make your own. - NemFX (talk) 04:22, 5 February 2008 (UTC)

Spatterdash
Text on Spats re spatterdash contradicts 83rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Glasgow Volunteers). One says the spatterdash was tall, over the knee. The other says it was short, over the ankle. Which was it? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Una Smith (talk • contribs) 21:43, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

history? Purpose?
Could any one fill in the purpose and/or history of spats? Thats what I was looking for. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 167.88.201.100 (talk) 19:29, 30 August 2008 (UTC)


 * I agree, the article does not mention why they are worn or what they were supposed to signify as just a fashion accessory (as in the film Some like it Hot). JesseRafe (talk) 03:27, 22 January 2009 (UTC)


 * I also agree, beyond knowing that Scrooge McDuck wore them, what were their purpose? To keep your shoe laces clean? --64.146.248.105 (talk) 22:05, 14 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Yet another user mystified over why these things were in use here. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.230.85.248 (talk) 22:59, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

I had a book that stated that spats were worn as a sign of wealth: they were flashy, required constant cleaning, were most easily put on with the assistance of a second person and protected ankles from cold drafts. Unfortunately, the book is in storage and I can't remember the name, so I can't add the info to the main article. Sings-With-Spirits (talk) 16:38, 22 January 2011 (UTC)


 * I always assumed that spats went out of favour as roads became more dirt and horse-shit free.124.120.206.190 (talk)


 * Beat me to it. The places where they are associated with had a wet, rainy climate and horses everywhere. The purpose of spats is to keep horse muck out of your shoes when you walk city streets. Quite specific - for walking in the country, you want full gaiters, or you are wearing boots and it's a non-issue. Spats are for London and similar places. 203.13.3.90 (talk) 00:32, 15 October 2020 (UTC)

Advertising
Is the external link "Authentically Tailored Vintage Spats for Today" an advertising link that should be removed? I don't know the exact policy.

Also, is there any explanation of the difference between spats and gaiters? --Maltelauridsbrigge (talk) 12:11, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

File:Gaiters_(PSF).png


Is this file poorly named? They look like spats to me. - TheMightyQuill (talk) 04:56, 20 December 2010 (UTC)

Picture of Spats in Action
I like the photo of the spats laid out flat. Perhaps there could be as well a photo or drawing of spats being worn. JKeck (talk) 16:25, 24 November 2011 (UTC)

Increased informality
Another possible cause of the decline of spats may be the automobile. Walking about London or New York in the early 1900s was an adventure in rain and runny horseshit, which is what spats were keeping out of your shoes and socks.