The Return Of The Classics Part 1 – Spats

There was a time when dress codes very much encompassed our societies. A time when almost everyone dressed elegantly and cared about how they presented themselves whether it was for a job interview or to just take a stroll in the street. Many of the most original and intriguing designs came from these time periods, classics that set themselves apart from the norm of what we see today yet that are somewhat forgotten in time and rarely seen anymore. One of these styles was ‘The Spat’.

 

 

 

The term, spat, was derived from an accessory that attached to the shoe, covering the instep and ankle to protect people from soil and mud, back when there wasn’t much concrete. This accessory then developed into a fashionable article of clothing that denoted the likes of the wealthy and stylish. You often saw spats in either white, gray, or some sort of tan/beige. A gentleman wearing high-polished black shoes accompanied by white spats, a black cane, and a black top hat was usually a gentleman of wealth as this was their staple uniform. This style of fashion lasted from the late 19th century until about the 1920s when it slowly faded away from its hold on society as an elegant form of dress and sifted its way into the likes of the military, being worn by soldiers of all kinds.

 

It’s rare today that you see people wearing spats or even brands making any but there still are a handful of shoemakers that have preserved this style. However, it is now done in a more modern look. There is still the option of this two-piece type set, as you see Johnny Depp and the young chap above utilizing, but now a button boot is far more common. There are also versions of shoe spats where the shoe is low cut and does not have the buttons but has the look of a spat shoe, so to speak.

A return to this type of elegance would be a pleasant surprise. It is tiring seeing so many people out there dressed as if they are going to the gym constantly, not caring about their appearance. Not that everyone needs to be vain, as there is always a time and place for everything, but at least they should care more about their appearance as a sake of respect. This is especially the case if they want to be taken seriously. This idea of comfort has made us all lazy and sadly it quite often shows.