Spats

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Spats are a type of shoe accessory worn in the late 19th and early 20th Century.

[edit] History

Spats were stiff fabric covers covering the top of the shoe and extending up the lower part of the leg. Spats, especially white ones on highly-polished black shoes, formed part of the stereotype dress of a wealthy young man of the era, along with a top hat and a cane. Other common colours were grey, tan, and black. Though often a fashion accessory, wool felt spats were also worn to keep the ankles warm.

Commonly worn as upper-class city dress prior to World War I, spats fell out of fashion during the late 1920s, although retained until the 1940s as formal daytime dress for men on occasions such as weddings and other social events. A short female version, usually in beige, was popular during the Edwardian era (1902-14).

Spats were an evolution of the 18th-Century "spatterdashes," a version of the similar (but strictly practical rather than decorative) articles known as gaiters that are still worn today, to prevent water getting into walking boots. The 18th century spatterdash was a protective item of dress worn by soldiers, farmers and others whose occupation involved regular exposure to rain and mud. It reached above the knee and was kept in place by side-buttons and buckles.

[edit] Spats in popular culture

In the popular movie, "Some Like it Hot," a mobster was nicknamed "Spats" because of his fetish for wearing them. In addition, the recent ITV series Poirot featured this article being worn by the title character. P.G. Wodehouse used this to a large extent in his books to typify the young men of the age, e.g. "Young Men in Spats." Another well-known spats wearer was the Disney cartoon character Scrooge McDuck, who as a caricature capitalist also wore a top hat. Spats were also worn by the Swedish rock band, The Hives.

The classic 1929 jazz standard "Puttin' On the Ritz" by Irving Berlin features a lyric describing the wealthy men of New York City: "High hats and arrow collars, white spats and lots of dollars...."

[edit] Spats as items of uniform

Spats are still used as a traditional accessory in many marching band uniforms in the United States.

French infantry wore white spats for parade and off duty wear until 1903. Italian soldiers wore a light tan version until 1910 and the Japanese Army wore long white spats or gaiters during the Russo-Japanese War of 1905.

Spats continue as a distinctive feature of the Scottish dress of Highland pipe bands, whether civilian or military. The modern Royal Regiment of Scotland, into which all Scottish line infantry regiments were amalgamated in 2006, retain white spats as part of their uniform. Prior to that date most Scottish infantry units in the British Army wore spats. For Highland regiments in kilts spats reached halfway up the calf. For Lowland regiments in trews spats were visible only over the boots.

Most regiments of the modern Indian and Pakistan Armies wear long white spats into which trousers are tucked, as part of their parade dress. Other full dress uniforms which still include spats are those of the Portugese Republican National Guard, the Carabiniers of Monaco and the Italian Military Academy of Modena.

In Japan, the term "spats" refers to leggings.

In American football, the act of taping the outside of ones cleats using athletic tape is known as "spatting."