Spats, Gaiters & Puttees, Oh My! -- Tips & Tricks for Period Footwear Coverings

[@anndowney487]

"..within kicking distance..." Perfect!

[@ShannonMakes]

lol right?!

[@nikedadoug]

Thank you for making this video, it's been a great help to me.

[@MildredCady]

I’m thinking of making spats for my work shoes (I’m a Starbucks barista), to make them look more historical/vintage. And yes, step by step video will be awesome.

[@ShannonMakes]

Oh, that'd be such a fun way to do add some history-bounding into your work wear!

[@meghannevans2411]

That seems awesome!!!!

[@ricochetaz3846]

SHANNON! What an excellent video! Your clear succinct instruction is a breath of fresh air here on KZbin. Hell yes I for one would like a more detailed video on making gators for men! Hard work and play takes a far greater toll on my foot wear more so than the general person. Good work/play boots run from $200. To $400. A pair now days. The rugged southwestern desert environment above and below ground takes its tole in a hurry. Everything from water, clay mud, rough stickery brush, cactus, and extremely rough boulders and rocks (falling and stationary) rip, tear, and snag at my boots with virility that match’s my own! I love the (within kicking range) comment. A more detailed video would be fantastic! Keep up the good work. And keep sharing your beautiful smile! Rick in Pantano,AZ. Yes the ghost town.

[@chile_jpg]

I would love to own a pair of trapezee boots! I *tried* to make some myself but without a tutorial they didn't turn out... really well... it would be awesome to have a tutorial from you!!

[@PwnageFury]

This was really helpful! My husband marches in parades with a colonial American uniform and his current gaiters have worn out and I am going to sew some replacements. Luckily I can disassemble his current ones for a pattern but the tips and tricks you have here give me a lot of confidence in tackling this project! :)

[@varde42]

Yes, please! I'd love to see a gaiter making video! These are all excellent tips, thank You :)

[@ShannonMakes]

Noted! Hopefully in the next few months, I'll finish my cycling outfit, which everybody knows won't be complete without a set of matching gaiters!

[@emylee4130]

I need to make some spats and now! I'm always drooling over historical repro shoes, and I love the idea of having multiple options for shoes I know I love.

[@ShannonMakes]

Oh absolutely, that is one huge advantage of making your own gaiters - you can splurge one pair of nice, expensive repro boots, and then dress them up (and simultaneously protect them) with multiple "looks" via gaiters!

[@laartje24]

09:08 Careful with pen if it is on fabric that you will be (machine) washing later, some bleed like crazy and can leave stains. You can easily test this by scribbling on a tiny piece of fabric and soaking it or by washing your mock up like you intent to wash the final piece.

[@ShannonMakes]

Yes, a very good point and suggestion!

[@unwrittenbook]

I still have the bicycle pants you made on my to do list…and now gaters are added… I enjoyed this video very much! I did have few giggles :P

[@ShannonMakes]

oh definitely, the two projects go very well together! You can make the bloomers, and then follow them up with some nice gaiters!

[@TheEconWoman]

As always- tons of info and well researched! Now I have to make some. 🤩

[@ShannonMakes]

Oh yes, please do! And then show meeeee!! I love to see everybody's work, even if it was only tangentially inspired by me!

[@nathalieslachmuylders]

I love this style of tutorial, going over all the options and steps to make it customisable. Your videos are original within the youtube historical community which can be very uniform in terms of content. The gaiters look creative and look very fun to make, but I have no style of shoes/outfit that would go with these, so have to contemplate if and how I can implement these techniques in another way (bags? perhaps I need to take up Mexican wrestling?). I make a knit sort of gaiters: leftover sock yarn gets knit into a tapered but strapless leg warmer to flexibly go over my chunky hiking boots. They do the job of keeping out the mud very well (just brush of the mud when it's dry) and most importantly, they keep the prickly pine needles out of my shoes. All the different colour stripes from the leftovers look more like your Bilbo coat though :) I'd love to see more up close photos of the finished objects you've made for acrobatic purposes. Perhaps they're on show in the circus in a corset video?

[@ShannonMakes]

Thank you for such lovely compliments

[@rosemariebredahl9519]

Ty for this video, words can't explain how helpful you've been. I was a family Dr before years of breast cancer treatment (successful) left me disabled. I have Lipedema and over recent yrs have a lipoma riding on the front of my right ankle. Wide calf boots are still narrow at the ankle, and now I can't even zip my Australian Duo Boots (largest found on planet), which I'd already had expanded with elastic fabric locally! Boot covers (or gaiters, half-chaps, or Puttees) with flared bottoms (even half boots are limited by ankle width). Alas, online sales don't address ankle width unless they're custom made for $$$$. If I find a diy that's a good fit, and adjustable since lipoma may yet grow more, I can upgrade material (& style) later. Lipoma removal is considered cosmetic & thus not covered by insurance ... and winter's setting in. So, again, Thank you!

[@ShannonMakes]

Oh, I really hope that you're able to try out the duct-tape patterning method to make some warm winter boot coverings! I know that wide-ankled shoes/boots cause problems for many, and so making one's own gaiters can not only be a nice aesthetic choice, it can be a very practical one too! I'm glad you found the video helpful, and if you end up making your own, I'd love to see them!

[@MiahGrace]

Shannon: This is necessary in my case *epic trapeze flip* me: :O

[@ShannonMakes]

LOL that was not me in that video, although I did use to do swinging trapeze back in the day (but the video quality of all that footage is gArBaGeEEe)

[@d.ruggeri8409]

Thank you so much for this video, it was really helpful ! I would like to make late Victorian gaiters and I didn’t know how to start ! I would personally like to have a step by step video about making them 🙏

[@ShannonMakes]

You're very welcome, and thanks for the feedback! Late Victorian would be the kind I'm the most likely to make for myself, so you might be in luck!!

[@code798]

Found you through CoSy. And I am so grateful for that! 😻What you say truly resonates with me and inspires me. Your sound quality and speech melody is so good, I could listen to you even if you were just reading a phone book aloud😎🤣

[@ShannonMakes]

Oh I'm so glad you jive with the content, and I so love the thought of inspiring others to create! (also I don't fully love the sound of my voice, so I'm glad you find it pleasant!)

[@WindspielArt]

awww, thank you for that video! I drool over those buttoned victorian boots since forever but I can't wear the buyable ones because my legs are too wide *sob* (while some of this problem is used to me being plus size, I had difficultys with finding boots when I was young and thin (and did horseback riding, volleyball and Tae Kwon do) too - so it may be something with my bone/muscle structure too...) But those Gaiters should be possible to fit, and this cling wrap + tape method looks awesome! I have to try that!

[@ShannonMakes]

oh yes, that Victorian style with the zillion buttons is absolutely gorgeous, I love them too, and besides being able to custom fit them to your leg, another perk of doing gaiters is that ~if you wanted to~ you could make them have a hidden zipper, so that you could have the ✨aesthetic✨ without the hassle!

[@cynthiabasil8356]

Omgodess needed the grommet recommendation! I can never find enough of them in the fabric stores. They have all those patterns that call for 50 grommets or 30 buttons but never seem to carry more that 15 buttons or a ten pack of the wrong size of this or that.

[@ShannonMakes]

Oh absolutely, I love them to death! Maybe not the largest color selection, but IMO the quality is worth the tradeoff!

[@haakdraakje]

Thank you for this very clear explanation. You definitely know what you’re talking about.

[@ShannonMakes]

Aww thank you! Glad you appreciated it :-D

[@woodenkat8971]

I'm looking forward to making some of these to steampunkify some things for a friend! And they look cool!

[@ShannonMakes]

Thank you! I have to admit that some of my favorite designs have been steampunk ones. The one in the thumbnail was fun, but I had an even more intricate gear design once that was super cool and fun!

[@marthabenner6528]

I'm going to make some Gators and "Victorian" Mitts (they're really just vambraces) out of wool and backed with canvas, for the winter, to wear with my cape. And some soft knitted Victorian mitts, to wear underneath or inside. Not inside the vambraces, inside the house. I like elbow-length sleeves even in the winter. Especially in the winter I don't like it make my cuffs getting wet. Exceptions apply.

[@Mommamacnz]

This is a super tutorial. Thank you. I can see making some spats and gaiters in my future.

[@ShannonMakes]

Wonderful (and thank you)!! If you post them on Instagram, tag me so I can see!

[@helliumballoons7546]

I’m making the outfit my DnD character wears. Because he’s an Aarakocra, he doesn’t really wear traditional shoes, but more these funky foot coverings that I’ve chosen to interpret as gaiters for my human feet.

[@mmcgartland2095]

I am doing upcycle often. I am focusing on warrior doll right now

[@Erystawi]

Yes, I like a full tutorial of making knee high gaiters ;)

[@laartje24]

I usually work with fabric but for my latest project I found myself in the position to do some minor leather working. This sparked an interest in what you can do with leather and I am now looking around a bit. No specific desires to make footwear, just a general interest.

[@ShannonMakes]

Oh, I love working with leather, it's so much fun and no dealing with edges that fray is a nice change! You should check out Grant (Channel name: Cxizent) and Mariska (Channel name: MarisArmoury) for other Costubers that go more into depth on leather working!

[@laartje24]

@@ShannonMakes Thank you for the tips! I just came from Cxizent. His Co-sy tutorial was great.

[@teresaellis7062]

I'm not looking to make period footwear coverings just yet. I clicked on the video because I know next to nothing about this topic. Very cool information. I might just make myself some as getting slush inside my shoes is not pleasant!

[@ShannonMakes]

Fair enough!

[@cherrylee1103]

I plan to make a cycling outfit and would think that gaiters would be great.

[@ShannonMakes]

They would be absolutely great!! I hope you picked up some helpful tips :-)

[@edwardgurney1694]

I'm planning to make a pair of knee-high gaiters for my steampunk monster hunter outfit, in leather using a pattern from the internet. I have all sorts of feet problems that mean I have to stick to one or two pairs of shoes I know work for me- and besides, nowhere really makes knee high lace-up boots for men anyway! I still haven't decided on closures- the pattern uses buckles but that seems like a lot of hassle to take on and off, especially for how tall the gaiters are. I'm considering sam browne studs for a quicker option, or maybe leaning into the early 19th century period I'm roughly aiming for and having a row of shiny buttons.

[@ShannonMakes]

You can always make the panel that hosts the buckles/laces/studs as an entire panel that then has a hidden zipper, so that it looks like it buckles (or whatever), but in reality, it just zips on and off!

[@DAYBROK3]

i have a pretty big leg brace i have trouble finding shoes that fit both feet as i have only one leg with this thing, i live in a cold country with snow in winter and now go to school. these ideas might be something i could do

[@ShannonMakes]

Oh, that could be a really cool way to either dress up or camouflage your boot! If you DO end up making one, I'd love to see it (DM me on IG maybe?)!

[@DAYBROK3]

@@ShannonMakes ok

[@bastetilicious]

Now I want to make late Victorian gaiters too! A step-by-step video with some additional visual inspiration pics would be awesome, in case you need ideas for videos. ;)

[@ShannonMakes]

Ooof, the idea list is already enough to take me into 2025, and gaiters IS on the list, but it's... admittedly quite far down atm 😭

[@tiffanytomasino335]

…😅 (watching my project list get yet longer) this sounds so cool and so easy to make personal. Kinda hard to believe they went out of fashion. Thank you for sharing

[@ShannonMakes]

You're very welcome! And I saw someone wearing a pair just the other day, actually! (although I agree, it's probably not considered "fashionable" these days)

[@ruthkirkparick3535]

Time period 1910s -- spats to wear over nondescript shoes, particularly in the rain. I am working on a capsule wardrobe (shirtwaist and skirt done so far) and have ideas for a rain cape to go over a jacket or coat. I don't boots but the shoes I have (dark, dusty brown) are a little low at the back.

[@ShannonMakes]

Sounds great!

[@armedvsokord]

I somehow missed this video, found it linked on your spider corset video. 😅 Yay new, to me, video.

[@ShannonMakes]

Nice!! You know you can always just go to my channel homepage and scroll through all my videos in one place, to see which ones you might have missed!

[@Murky_Heron]

Oh, we'll finally see the transformation of those salvaged red ektorp covers😉👍

[@ShannonMakes]

They may or may not have crossed the Atlantic twice since being salvaged, and have still not made it into their final form, so fingers crossed that this Halloween will see them come to life!

[@svenova4079]

Какая Вы умница!!!

[@geraldinegranado3386]

Thank you

[@ShannonMakes]

You're very welcome!

[@agimagi2158]

Wow this is so helpful, I'm going to hide all my modern shoes under gaiters now!

[@ShannonMakes]

I'm so glad (and yes, make ALLLLL the gaiters)!

[@JustJulij]

Did I ever expect to watch a video on those wierd boot-socks? Nope Did I enjoy it? Definitely

[@ShannonMakes]

"boot-socks" ...yessss! 👢🧦

[@nevem5010]

You describe the process so clearly, thank you! I love gaiters, I just think they look so good. I've worn boots pretty much exclusively for years now, but if I get a pair of shoes for any reason, I'll add a pair or two of gaiters to my wardrobe, to make them more versatile. Which now I think of it will be basically boot-ifying them... Always with the boots! ❤️

[@ShannonMakes]

So this is one BIG advantage of making your own gaiters - you can splurge one pair of nice, expensive repro boots, and then dress them up (and simultaneously protect them) with multiple "looks" via gaiters! Gotta love them gaiterssss!

[@mmcgartland2095]

Thanks

[@ShannonMakes]

You’re welcome!!

[@meghannevans2411]

So cool!

[@ShannonMakes]

Thank you!

[@thorunns.craftstudio]

Puttees look to be the same as winingas that were worn by people in the viking age and such. i was not aware the spats were actually the shorter version and gaiters the taller ones. i definitely prefer the look and aesthetic of the gaiters and definitely want to figure out ways to include gaiters in certain costumes of mine

[@Shamanscircle1]

Hi there. I'm working on an original historical fiction in 19th century West America. My main character is a young Melungeon boy from the very isolated Appalachian range who becomes a mountain man and fur trader, cattle driver, entertainer, and eventually a well known folk hero (or outlaw depending who you ask) who may or may not have existed according to the story. Sort of a Forrest Gump type. He wears leg gaiters and other gear fashioned from his parents' old belongings like his father's old Civil War gear and whatever was left in their shack (think America's Emperor Norton I or Vermin Supreme mismatching) and his mother's prized sewing machine.

[@ShannonMakes]

Hello, sounds like a fun project! Hope your gaiters go well :)

[@pattiboyd7223]

Lol, gaiters would look funny as hell with the slides I exclusively wear.

[@kieraoona]

I might make gaiters since I do live in a colder climate, and I like keeping my legs warm

[@ShannonMakes]

oooh, and you could even line them with something nice and toasty for added warmth!

[@kieraoona]

@@ShannonMakes Thats generally the plan, and I also forgot I wasn't replying to the cape-tember video too. I clearly need more tea today lol

[@linr8260]

[shows up a month late with starbucks] I've actually been looking into gaiters because the only pair of shoes I can reliably put on by myself are sandals and even though I deal very well with cold in general, there comes a point where being essentially barefoot in 0°c weather is a little ridiculous. The challenge in this case though is gonna be that it needs to cover the entire foot to not look ridiculous... It's gonna need a lot of engineering. But this is a good starting point so thank you!

[@ShannonMakes]

You know, they say better later than never, and at least this way, you're hydrated (or at least caffeinated 😂)! Agreed that 0° is pushing it a little bit for the barefoot (I have Reynaud's, so honestly even 15° is pushing it for me if we're talking sandals + wind), so hopefully this can give you some useful tips or ideas for your own unique project!

[@jennglow4647]

Cool 😃

[@ShannonMakes]

💙💙💚💚

[@damogranheart5521]

In the late sixties, in our small town, the local doctor got married. He was 90. The first thing his young bride(86) did was tell him his spats had to go! We all thought that he looked rather dashing in them.

[@ShannonMakes]

Aww, what a shame, spats can truly be so dashing (not to mention, just let the man have his style!!)

[@spaghettiking7312]

Hey, thanks a lot for this video. I found it encouraging that someone else is interested in gaiters as well. I am a man, and I was wondering if gaiters can be worn with trousers? That is, basically every time I saw male gaiters in the 19th century, they were either worn by soldiers or perhaps Anglican priests, but those priests wore them with breeches, not trousers. Could I tuck the pants into the gaiters? I was wondering whether this would look goofy or unattractive before purchasing them, and I would pair this with a knee-long overcoat so my pants would be barely visible if they bunched unattractively. I was just wondering if this was a good idea or if I should just invest in spats, because those go under the trouser rather than covering them. Thank you again!

[@ShannonMakes]

I mean, I think it's entirely a matter of your personal taste preferences and aesthetics. I wear my 40's trousers (so quite baggy) tucked into my boots (regular boots, not gaiters, but it's a similar aesthetic), and I personally kind of like the way they blouse out a bit at the top. But that might not be the look you enjoy, in which case maybe you prefer spats! I'd say go with whatever you'll be most likely to feel good in and thus be most likely to wear!

[@spaghettiking7312]

@@ShannonMakes Thanks for the example! I'm aware it's kind of a different look. I guess I'll just have to try out some different trousers and see how they look, and if they blouse well. I won't know until I try! Ha ha.

[@DEMIPINTEcreations]

Did I just figure out what to do with some of my leather? Yes. Did this have anything to do with it? Also yes.

[@ShannonMakes]

Omg, yessss! And remember, there's those awesome leather stores in Montreal too if you need moreeee (I mean... no. I'm not an enabler....)

[@lenka3393]

In the Czech Republic we call spats “dog blankies” - psí dečky 😅

[@ShannonMakes]

Oh, that's so funny... and kinda cute! Any reason why?

[@lenka3393]

@@ShannonMakes I found two possible reasons for this colloquialism - one is that the general shape is reminiscent of a dog coat, which seems a strech, but the other one is even worse - unbuttoned they are supposed to be the shape of a little dog’s hide 🤢 unfortunately I wasn’t able to find reliable sources about it’s etymology.

[@ShannonMakes]

Ahhh, I see… reminds me of the Swedish habit of calling zip ties “cat stranglers” 😢😬 Thanks for sharing tho, it’s quite interesting even if a bit dark!

[@KoiraStar]

How would you make some of these to fit on shoes that are totally flat on the sole, with no heel, so anything looped underneath would be directly touching the ground?

[@ShannonMakes]

I think I'd make them either with a buckle and leather strap in a way that the buckle part didn't drag on the ground, and therefore the leather strap would be the only part that would have to be changed out regularly, OR sew the elastic in a way that it could be swapped out regularly without damaging the body of the gaiter too much. Potentially short lengths of elastic on either side of the gaiter that remain permanently affixed, and a longer stretch of elastic (the part that actually goes under the foot) that can be snapped on to and off of the shorter bit. Then you only have to change out the middle, longer length occasionally!

[@woodenkat8971]

Add buttons on each side of the top piece right where you want to attach the connecting piece and add button holes on the piece that gets replaced. If the shoe is completely flat it will have to be pretty thin so it won't last long, but just a couple button holes in thin scraps are easy enough to with a machine and they don't have to be pretty.

[@walthyde5159]

I know that i would want to make a 1863 Civil war Soldier type gaiter

[@ShannonMakes]

Nice!! You should tackle it :-)

[@walthyde5159]

@@ShannonMakes yeah i am sure that i will but it will be a challenge for me though

[@MiahGrace]

First! lol

[@ShannonMakes]

LOL of course you'd comment this!! :-P

[@Ora_Lin]

first 17 min of the video: giving detailed explanation of the process of making gaiters minute 18: "nobody's going to look at your feet"

[@ShannonMakes]

LOL true 🤣