Spat Attack

I have been trying to figure out what to do about my little shoe problem. I love, love, love shoes. The simple fact is that I can always justify a shoe purchase due to their practicality - I mean, I can't go about barefoot, can I? However, I live in a little place, and my shoe fetish, combined with Boyfriend Kaboom's policy of buying any footwear that fits, is leading to a bit of a shoe-alanche in the apartment. How can I curb my love for footwear, but still fulfill my love for foot-decor?

I have found the answer - and that answer is SPATS.

Spats/Gaiters are a piece of apparel that most people associate with the 19th and early 20th century, and most often kindle in the mind visions of men in three-piece suits, along with jodhpurs, pince-nez and top hats. However, I am pleased to report that spats are making a new, glorious comeback. And for a space-constrained city girl, they can prove the solution to switching up styles on your peds, without shelling out the money or room for more shoes. Several designers are making the style their own, and doing some glorious things with this fashion throwback. Here are some of my favs...


Maide Spats
Maide is a German-based designer of spats so decked out and resplendent in lace, frills, ribbons and detail that you may just feel your feet are simply to precious to touch the ground. Not only that, but all of her work is animal-friendly and vegan.


Fancy Leather Gaiterettes by LesFrivolites
LesFrivolites Etsy shop is full of delightful objects, but these cut leather gaiterettes are simple swoon-worthy. Turn any shoe into an elaborate, fanciful vessel for your feet!


"The Preacher" and "The Sound" by Posso the Spat
Posso the Spat takes a fantastic, futuristic take on the spat, crafting them in killer black leathers, gold, silver, and snakeskin. These are guaranteed to make even the plainest pair of shoes a piece of coveted couture.


Givenchy
Givenchy's latest collection features these supple, long gaiters. Elle described them as making the models look like Clydesdale horses, and I couldn't agree (or love it) more.


For more spat love, read:

"Spats - A Return to Civilized Attire" by Paul Kiernan (Atomic Magazine)

"Spats!" by jitterbugbaby (Shoeblog.com)

Spat How-to by Minnie (Thank you for not being perky)

"Lace Up Some Sexy Spats"(telegraph.co.uk)