Spats/spatterdashes?

[GeraldDuval]

I was talking with a pard today, and try as we might neither of us could pin down exactly when Spats or spatterdashes became a part of a well dressed Victorian gentleman's apparel. I've done a little poking around, but have found nothing more specific than "late 19th early 20th century"

Is this a post war invention or were they used by civilians of the time?

[MELowe]

Re: Spats/spatterdashes?

With thanks to the wonderful libraries here in Cambridge, I present the following:

The earliest mention of “spatterdash” in literature appears in Edward Ravenscroft’s Titus Andronicus (1687), where we find “Prepare to gallop down on Smithfield Titts, Equip'd with the Heel-Spur and Spatter-dash.”

Edward Phillip's New World of Words, 1706 edition, gives: "Spatterdashes or spatter-splashes, a sort of light boots, without soles,” and Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language (2nd ed., 1756) defines ‘Spatterdashes’ as “coverings for the legs by which the wet is kept off.”

As for the spat, Charles James’ “A new and enlarged military dictionary,” 1802, defines “spatts” as “a small sort of spatter-dashes, that reach only a little above the ancle, called also half gaiters.”

It appears that these functional accessories were in use well before the Victorian era, though mostly connected to riding and rambling. I hope this helps.

Regards,

M. E. Lowe

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: Spats/spatterdashes?

We can start by asking Lt. York of the 5th NY, who seems to be starting the trend as it would be seen in later decades with part of his unit's Zouave apparel (Fed issue gaiters? Zouave leggings?).

[GeraldDuval]

Re: Spats/spatterdashes?

canvas camp shoes and spats? That's a pretty interesting look. Thanks for the help!

[Canton Zouave]

Re: Spats/spatterdashes?

The "Tailors Guide" printed in 1856 by Charles Compaing and Louis DeVere has a section about patterning "Gaiters" and speaks about how the only real true way to make a good pair and be familiar with their construction is to have a pair handy to examine. Being a trade manual from prior to the war and one of the prevailing sources for Men's Fashion at the time should place the date well before the War. I have been looking for some references to them from the 1840's as I know I have seen them in plates, but alas I cant seem to locate that info right now. A good pattern sample of the low gaiter can be seen in Louis DeVere's book "DeVere's Gentlemans Magazine" which is dated 1859.