Gaiters are shoe coverings used for safety or decoration. They were popular in men’s formal dress in the 19th century and are still used in military dress uniforms, practical workplaces, and fashion. They can be made of various materials and worn with different types of shoes.
Gaiters are a type of covering for the upper part of shoes, which may be used for ornamental or decorative purposes, or may be used to promote safety when performing certain jobs. This shoe accessory became popular in the 19th century on men’s formal dress. The typical pair of leggings has a lace that fits under the shoe, and is then either an ankle length or a longer piece of fabric (of various types) that fits around the ankle. This is usually attached with buttons, with the buttons usually showing on the outside of each foot.
Various military dress uniforms make use of leggings. Sometimes, as is the case with today’s Indian Army, the piece of cloth is very long, ending just below the knee. The worn pants are tucked into leggings. More often, this shoe accessory hits just above the ankle, and pants are worn untucked instead of tucked in. You will also notice this accessory used by many music bands.
There are some imminently practical uses for spats in the workplace. People who work to melt heavy metals, which are extremely hot, may use them to prevent burns. Others who use chainsaws may also use them to minimize potential damage if a chainsaw comes close to the ankle or foot. Various sports use them as well, or they are simply attached to the ankles (called spitting) to prevent ankle injuries. Most of the types used for practical purposes are made of semi-rigid leather.
Dress leggings are something else entirely. They can be made of leather, suede, fake leather types, or shiny satin. The companies that still make them often make them for both men and women, and there is an incredible variety of patterns and colors. They are typically worn by women with a high-heeled pump, and women’s varieties can be ankle-length or nearly knee-length. They can be worn over dress shoes, or for a really outrageous statement, they can be worn over tennis shoes or something like Doc Martens. These days, they’ve become a funky fashion accessory, and you’ll notice pop stars like Gwen Stefani and various other celebrities sporting them.
At one time, spats were men’s fashion, especially until about the 1920s. They protected dress shoes from damage, or dressed up not-especially-dressy shoes. These accessories are also closely related to “mob” wearing, and you’ll notice in movies old and new, that depictions of gangsters, especially gangsters active during prohibition, frequently show them wearing leggings.
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