Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:41:38 +0000

The Shocking Connection Between Antique Spats and Forgotten Fashion Crimes You’ve likely seen the sleek, folded silk or wool spats peeking out from a vintage jacket or a museum display—sharp, elegant, and steeped in history. But beyond their sophisticated appeal, antique spats conceal a surprising link to a lesser-known chapter in fashion history: forgotten crimes tied to smuggling, fraud, and forbidden style. ### What Are Antique Spats? Antique spats—short, foldable coverings for the wrist and ankle—were essential accessories in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally practical, preventing dirt and rain from reaching shoes, they evolved into stylish symbols of class, used by gentlemen, soldiers, and artists alike. Made from luxurious fabrics like silk, wool, tweed, and even exotic leathers, spats became miniature fashion statements preserved through decades.