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• November 21, 2008
• Trend Spotting

Easy Rider: Spats Hit the Streets in Style

By Kelley Hoffman

Photo by The Cobra Snake


Way back in the day, an exposed ankle was almost considered X-rated. Now that we're so used to seeing so much skin, there's something sexy about cleverly covering it up.


Yes, the spat has made a comeback, and it's not just adding more personality to flats and heels—with its cutaways and smart straps, it's bringing a whole new draw to the feet, ankles, and legs. While spats conjure past military, western, or Gatsby notions, we've been seeing many that have been playing into the bondage shoe trend with a futuristic nod. Check out Posso the Spat's entire collection of killer leather looks. And Greenpoint's Greenpoint's Kill Devil Hill sells locally made versions by Seana Gordon. Whether on shoes that are high or low, spat stars seem to be taking over the city streets.




Paris, photo via Jak & Jil

Los Angeles, Marylouise Pels and Vanessa Giovacchini, designers of Posso the Spat, photo by The Selby, Los Angeles




From left: New York, Marylouise Pels and Vanessa Giovacchini, designers of Posso the Spat, photo by Style Sightings; New York, street photo by Street Peeper.




Los Angeles, Mark "The Cobra Snake" Hunter in spats, photo by The Selby