Spats!

Nick D · Sep 26, 2008

I've bought old spats (two pair of Bond Street Spats and one unmarked pair), all of different sizes. I got a size 9 at first, as I'm a size 9 shoe, but they were much too small. So I tried 10 and 11, and the 11 just fits. I need something a little bigger.

www.spatterdash.com goes by your shoe size, and being a modern company they probably go by modern shoe sizes.

mannySpaghetti · Sep 26, 2008

Nick D said:
I've bought old spats (two pair of Bond Street Spats and one unmarked pair), all of different sizes. I got a size 9 at first, as I'm a size 9 shoe, but they were much too small. So I tried 10 and 11, and the 11 just fits. I need something a little bigger.

Hmmm. Through your experience then, sound like I'll need a 12. The search begins! Thanks Nick.

Slim Portly · Sep 26, 2008

Nick, thank you very much for the Spatterdash link. DM, I've dealt with Gentleman's Emporium a few times and their customer service is second to none. Any questions that one may have regarding sizing of their products (or anything else) will be answered quickly and to your satisfaction.

Anthony Jordan · Sep 29, 2008

I'd understood that spats were ments to be a tight fit so have always gone for my shoe size, with reasonable results, though I haven't worn either of my pairs for a while.

Tomasso · Sep 29, 2008

Spats Columbo

I recall watching Some Like it Hot with my folks when I was a kid. I asked my dad what spats were all about. He said,"Kid, that's old time stuff."

He was born in 1914. lol

MJrules · Nov 9, 2008

Lady spat-wearers?

BUMPPITYBUMP!

Any women in particular who wear, own, make spats? I just had a revelation that I could wear some of my summer shoes and sandals during the winter if I found spats to go over them. I'm trying to do something like this, but much nicer and more vintage in detail:

But looking at ebay, I really don't know where to start in terms of sizing or measurements. The ladies' styles on Spatterdash.com are lovely, but out of my budget. I wear a 6.5 and any insight or opinion on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Nick D · Nov 9, 2008

This is a pair I just finished for my wife. I drafted the pattern myself, and it needs a couple tweaks before I make her another pair (or adjust the pattern to make some for myself), but for a first try I think they turned out all right. They have a covered elastic instep and hand-worked corded keyhole buttonholes. Next pair I'll find buckles for the strap, and hopefully a buttonhole thread that matches the fabric better, this was the best I could get.

I made the skirt as well, the spats were made from leftover material.

If you don't want to draft your own pattern, Burda makes a good pattern that's easily alterable to anything you like, #8127. It comes with a bunch of other small accessories.

My other suggestion, if you don't want to sew them yourself, is http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5241258. Her prices are lower than Spatterdash, and I think she'll do custom work.

Cheers,
Nick

der schneider · Nov 10, 2008

I have been making 18th and 19th century spats for years..

I guess i'll have to make 20th century spats for next season.

One thing that I have done is using buttons for the stirrups under-neath.
That way I can remove the straps for cleaning

SteveS · Nov 10, 2008

Would spats be worn only when outside and be taken off upon entering a the home, office, etc? Or are they kept on as long as you have the shoes on?

Undertow · Nov 10, 2008

GOOD LORD! I've been trying to think of what these were called for the last month! I had one of those moments were it was on the tip of my tongue but then I never got it back. I knew we had a thread on here for them, but I figured I'd have to search forever, especially not knowing what they were called.

And here's the thread I was looking for right up top!! Thanks!

Slim Portly · Nov 10, 2008

Here are my pair, ordered from Spatterdash. These are their Cotton Club style, white with black-and-white buttons and a black elastic band. The website has a few bugs, such as requesting your shoe size when ordering a pocket square, but the product is quality. They currently offer thirteen styles of spats for men, four for women, and four for children.

(The wrinkling in the bottom picture is due to my bending quite low to one side to take the picture of my own feet. The spats actually fit and lay quite nicely. The top picture was taken with a tripod and timer, and one can see that the wrinkling is minimal.)

I do occasionally see vintage spats with leather straps in good condition on eBay and I would like to acquire a few of these at some point.

donCarlos · Nov 11, 2008

Spats! I will need some as well. Winter is approaching and winter shoes are so expensive...

These are very nice, Slim. Will definitely go great with your style.

Hammelby · Nov 11, 2008

Homemade spats

Nick D said:
This is a pair I just finished for my wife. I drafted the pattern myself,

Very good job Nick! :eusa_clap
Now, may I ask how you made the pattern? Did you wrap your wifes foot with testfabric/paper and drew with a marker?

Once I made a pair of medevial shoes, following a easy method.
Its done like this: 1.) Put on a wooly sock, 2.) Wrap your foot in a single sheet of newspaper (but not the sole) 3.) cover with brown tape 4.) with a marker draw a line round where your foot touches the ground 5.) Without cutting the sock (!), cut a vertical opening on the outside ankle

Hm.. I might try that with a pair of shoes on, shape the bottom like on spats and add some extra on the edges and in the opening (for buttonholes/ closing). Getting a good fabric must be the hardest part.. I want oldschool wool!

MJrules · Nov 11, 2008

Nick D said:
This is a pair I just finished for my wife.

Wow Nick, those look great, your wife is super lucky! That's pretty much the look I was going for, so I'll definitely check out your suggestions. Thanks so much

Nick D · Nov 11, 2008

Hammelby said:
Very good job Nick! :eusa_clap
Now, may I ask how you made the pattern? Did you wrap your wifes foot with testfabric/paper and drew with a marker?

Here's how I made the pattern:

First, I worked by memory of the pattern Burda makes and also study of pictures to get the basic shape, which I drew on paper. I measured her ankle to get that basic measurement. I cut the pieces out and layed them against her foot as a very rough check (good thing, too, the first attempt was way to small!)

Then using the pattern I cut one spat from cotton fabric, which I also used for the lining. I pinned it up, then while she was wearing the shoes in the picture I test fit them. This helps to get the toe to lay right, and especially to get the right curve through the heel and ankle, and calf if they go high enough. This can be acheived through button placement as well, but the fit is better if they're shaped.

Once I've got the shape pinned in I trim the cotton to the right shape, then transfer that to the paper pattern, which will be used to cut out the other lining and the shells, and for any other spats I make for her. I'll want to drape it again if I extend them to the knee on the next pair, but everything from mid-calf down is already patterened.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Nick

Hammelby · Nov 12, 2008

Cheers Nick! Very good advice.

Gaige · Nov 13, 2008

Spats! I love spats. Must get some.

dgenevieve · Jun 19, 2009

Make your own spats!

Just found this great tutorial on how to make your own spats! Granted it has a "steampunk" bent, but you could easily use this same pattern to achieve a less Victorian look:

[YOUTUBE]<object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kfxGVQ3WpSc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kfxGVQ3WpSc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

FinalVestige79 · Jun 19, 2009

Im getting some original ones on ebay for my madison boots.

chucklehead · Jun 19, 2009

what no fusible interfacing? :eusa_doh:

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