Thursday, April 27, 2006

Spats


Spats are a type of shoe accessory worn in the late 19th and early 20th century. They were stiff fabric covers attached to the top of the shoe and extending up the lower part of the leg. Spats, especially white ones on highly-polished black shoes, form part of the stereotype dress of a wealthy young man of the era, along with a top hat and a cane. 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 mud getting into walking boots.
A mobster in the film Some Like It Hot was nicknamed "Spats" because he wore that type of shoe. In addition, the recent A&E series "Poirot" featured this article worn by the title character.

Are the dance shoes with the white leather spats or do they have another name?

Update - 1
I found this great website with lots of shoes and suites
Zoot Suite

Jim

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought that they were just called "black and whites" ?

Anonymous said...

I've never heard that term myself.

I'll have a chat to one of the Shoe sellers and see if they know.

Jim

Anonymous said...

I found this great link for shoes and suites.....

http://www.zootsuitstore.com/Shopping/Catalog/multi_category.asp?s=sa&cat=Shoes%2Dsa

Jim