Spats? - YouLookFab Forum

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Spats?

Dusty

(website)

I've been running across spats a lot lately on the crafty sites I frequent. (even found a pattern so I could make my own). I think they're really cute and fun, but am I going to look like a big dork wearing them? I can totally see a hip 20-something pulling something like this off

http://www.etsy.com/view_trans.....d=13005415

but is a 30-something mom with kids in tow going to look like she's trying too hard?

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from Tricia

Tricia

Veteran

I dunno, I think that's kind of neat - a fun way to make it look like you've got two-toned boots. Like, I could never afford these:

http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w.....ourID=2557

But the spats would give you the same effect. I'd be interested to see what Angie says.

JuliaInGermany

Wow, they are cute and I want some, too! I'm interested what the others have to say, because I'm not sure myself that 30something moms can get away with it.

Would you provide a link to the pattern, please?

Dusty

(website)

Sure!

http://www.thankyoufornotbeing.....age_id=358

rae

(website)

Veteran

I think it looks fun if the spats are made of quality material. To my eye, the corduroy looks a little bit cheap... but in leather or canvas, I think it would look great. Kind of a safari vibe.

Tricia

Veteran

Safari, really? They seem kind of steampunk to me. I could see Audi from Fashion for Nerds rocking those.

Dusty

(website)

Oh, yeah, I totally get the steampunk vibe from them, too. Although, I suppose if you did khaki canvas it could be kind of safari.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I think they are really cute and I think you could do it as long as you kept the rest of your outfit simple and sophisticated. I think that's Angie's rule for trendy stuff like this.
The checked ones with the pattern you posted I could totally see in a sophisticated black and white outfit.
You never know until you try

Tricia

Veteran

Okay, those houndstooth ones are adorable.

I would wear those with an outfit like this:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Go.....1979330706

except probably with bootcut jeans, I guess.

Dusty

(website)

See, that's really close to what I was thinking; I was thinking tunic-length shirt and a black cardi, though. I'd be really tempted to use the skinnies, though so as not to cover up all the fun of the spats, but I'd have to play with it.

chellebrate

I think the houndstooth ones that Tricia linked are super cute and fun.

Tricia

Veteran

Ha! Dusty, I linked the spats on another message board I'm on, and there are at least 3-4 women there considering buying some now. You trendsetter!

Ele

(website)

Spats will forever remind me of my American Girl doll, who had navy/green tartan ones to wear with her figure skates. For that reason, I LOVE them.

I would totally get a safari vibe from a pair of canvas ones. Tartan might be more punk.

Louise

Veteran

Cool. I think they would look best when tonal to the shoes like the legwarmer rules x

JuliaInGermany

I just realized I don't have a pair of shoes to wear spats with.

Tricia

Veteran

I think you can wear them with any shoes!

Kate

Veteran

Wow, I'm surprised by how cute those actually are! Especially in colors and patterns! I played drums in the marching band and we definitely had spats as part of our uniform. Bright white plastic spats with snaps on the sides and elastic around the bottoms to keep them from moving around. Like these: http://www.bandshoppe.com/imag.....201_mn.jpg Anyway, I think it will take a lot for me to willingly wear spats again (not to mention spend money on them), but if you don't associate spats with standing in the rain in an itchy wool uniform with 30 lbs of drums strapped to your chest, more power to you! I think spats are traditionally kind of sophisticated, so I wouldn't limit them to 20-somethings. There are a whole bunch of other great ones on Etsy too!

Dusty

(website)

Oh, totally. If I can't find my old lacers (and if they don't fit, which is highly possible), I'd wear them over some black pumps.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I'm sorry but I'm just failing to see them as polished. How are they anchored in place? I would worry about the snaps not looking even or one starting to move up my leg. I really do hope you prove me wrong though!

Dusty

(website)

The have a band of elastic that runs under the shoe - usually button elastic (the kind they use on adjustable waist pants for kids - that has button holes spaced out along the elastic) so it can be adjustable for a perfect fit (buttons hidden inside). That keeps them from twisting and riding up.

Tricia

Veteran

I don't see the look as polished, really, more just funky and fun.