| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Sep 21 2009 : 10:03:58 PM
I found a pair of black wool Civil War-Era spats for a ridiculously low price at an antique booth. Don't know why I bought them, I guess to dress up my boots. The only time I've worn spats was in high school marching band--our uniforms included white spats that we wore over black shoes. They just look neat and have little buttons down the side with straps that go underneath and buckle. I'm not sure what their original purpose was--anyone out there know? I would post a picture but I'm not sure if my camera would pick up the details--I can try and see. I just love old things that nobody wears anymore--like cuff links and vintage hats. What old items do you like to wear?
Cindy
"Dog is my co-pilot"
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| knitnpickinatune |
Posted - Sep 25 2009 : 8:33:48 PM
They sure look to be in fine condition for being so old!
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| Roxy7 |
Posted - Sep 23 2009 : 06:05:10 AM
I'd wear them on my boots. Sounds cool. I used to wear English riding spurs on my boots...sometimes just one, because I thought it looked cool. That was back in the music business days. |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Sep 22 2009 : 10:14:08 PM
Hmm, if spats are associated with either the military or Scrooge McDuck--I'll have to go with Scrooge McDuck! I posted a picture of them on my blog, along with a few other craft/artist creations. I wonder if they were actually part of a Civil War uniform?
Cindy
"Dog is my co-pilot"
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Sep 22 2009 : 7:25:18 PM
Prairiehawk, I would think that the "unmentionables" would be pretty easy to clean off leather boots without doing permanent damage. In my mind at least, spats are associated with two things: military uniform and Scrooge McDuck. So the purpose could be very rugged or very finicky, either one!
They make modern spat-type things for cyclists. You put them over your bike shoes to keep your legs and feet dry from water splashing up on a rainy day. This probably would have applied to men riding horseback in the 19th century too.
I tried doing a quick google search and surprisingly didn't come up with much in the way of purpose or origen. So let us know if you find out! |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Sep 22 2009 : 6:12:58 PM
Sheri---I like your idea of spats keeping the grommet hooks on your boots from tangling in your petticoats--I don't have that issue but perhaps ladies of that era did. all I know is they look neat and since they're wool, maybe they're also meant to keep your feet warm? Just a thought.
Amie--I wonder if they were meant to protect boots and shoes from other unmentionables that were found on the streets in the past. Seems like if you only had one good pair of boots/shoes (as a lot of people did), you'd want to protect them.
Corrine--to keep your socks clean--that's funny!
Guess I'll have to do some research and discover their original purpose. It's fun to delve into the past.
Cindy
"Dog is my co-pilot"
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| Sheep Mom 2 |
Posted - Sep 22 2009 : 1:21:25 PM
I do know they help keep the grommet hooks on my boots from catching the lace on my petticoats. Great to try if you have that issue. Amazon Dry goods has a pattern to make them out of wool or canvas if anyone is interested in trying it out.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Sep 22 2009 : 11:19:12 AM
I'm not sure if they were originally intended just to keep your dress pants/socks clean, or if they might also have been to protect your lower legs against brush and stuff (like chaps). |
| BarefootGoatGirl |
Posted - Sep 22 2009 : 09:04:30 AM
ummmmmmmm. to keep your socks clean? really, i don't know, but they are cool.
as for old items that i like to wear, the answer has to be hats (suprised anybody?) i also love those fancy silk gloves, but they just seem so impractical. the place i buy my hat supplies from sells them relatively inexpensively, one of these days i need to splurge and buy a pair.
ohhhhhhhhh...garter belt and stockings;)
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