Here I am, off on a fashion tangent again. This time, it’s spats. I really thought, when I was making these, that I would never even wear them outside the house. I thought they would be too costumey. But now that they’re done, they seem to fit in really well with my wardrobe. This probably says more about my wardrobe than about the spats.
The original idea came from the Chanel Metiers d’Arts presentation for Fall 2015. This show is consistently my favorite fashion show every year. They always stage it in a different city, and incorporate local dress into the collection. This year, it was in Salzburg.
I made the pattern by draping fabric over my calves. There are 2 main pattern pieces, elastic loops, buttons, and a leather strip up the back that helps keep them upright. The main fabric is a good-quality wool suiting, they are lined in black linen, and the front gusset is white lace. The topstitching is bobbinwork embroidery using some strange silk cord that I’ve had for a while.
I’ve been wearing the spats all morning. They’re super comfortable, and keep my legs really warm.
I made the button loops out of elastic cord. You can also see the elastic that goes around my shoe to keep the spat on.
The leather strip up the back helps keep slouching to a minimum.
buttons
lace gusset. This bit is probably strictly unnecessary, but I thought the white stripe up the back needed to be balanced with some white elsewhere.
black linen lining
Rolling in Cloth 
11 Comments
Very cool! Do you wear them over boots or instead of boots?
Thanks! I’m wearing them with loafers. The fit is too close for them to fit over boots.
Yes they do fit your wardrobe rather well! They look good on you.
They are the couture version of what I have made my children as boot stand-ins over the years for many costumes they have worn. I love them!!
Claudine your spats (technically gaiters) are awesome. I agree with you about the Chanel Metiers d’Arts shows, and always take much inspiration from them. I’ve still got plans for some plaid inspired by the amazing collection shown at the very cold and snowy castle in Scotland.
These are pretty brilliant. So cute!
I love these, Claudine and they do look wonderful. Great fashion statement!
Killer!!!!! There was even menswear in that show. Yay!
These are so fun and that show is incredible! The spats are more subdued that I thought they’d be. More like fabulous boots. I kind of want to make some. I have some leather around here somewhere.
Very nice! I could actually see them being a real asset to your wardrobe.
At the beginning of winter they could turn every shoe in the wardrobe into a boot. Excellent look for the new season. 🙂