Gaiters and Spats

[loud-n-boomer]

I have two personas for which I would like to use spats or gaiters, if appropriate. One is a late 1700s Connecticut rock quarry owner/quarry master who is prosperous without being wealthy. He is a revolutionary war militia veteran who hunts and rambles out of a sense of curiosity, rather than necessity. The other is a natural philosopher (geologist) on a explore in the rocky mountains in the mid-1830s. He is also prosperous without being wealthy. Would gaiters or spats be appropriate for these personas, and if so, what style for each?

 

[user 34486]

No. They're rarely, if ever, seen on civilians or laborers. The only civilian context where I've regularly seen them appear is in gentry hunting scenes.

 

[Brokennock]

No. They're rarely, if ever, seen on civilians or laborers. The only civilian context where I've regularly seen them appear is in gentry hunting scenes.

No doubt.

I am curious, especially as the o.p. has a unique character story in his head, what would someone in these activities wear to protect the clothing on their legs? I am assuming (I know, never a good thing) he would be wearing knee breeches and stockings.

 

[user 34486]

In the thirties, certainly fall trousers are appropriate but I'd do a bit more research on when the first geological surveys were done in the Rockies, because I'm pretty sure they were not quite that early. A prosperous business owner however isn't doing a thing labor wise most likely.

 

[loud-n-boomer]

I have both broad fall trousers and knee breeches and stockings. I also have a pair of the the trekker boots from Fugawee that I am guessing can work for both personas. My understanding is that the earliest government geological survey for the rocky mountain region was in 1832. My character is more of an adventurer who also happens to be a geologist, rather than being part of an official survey.

 

[loud-n-boomer]

To add to the above, the earliest published geological map of the United States, including the Rocky Mountain Region that I can find/find reference to is the 1932 map by Howard John Hinton included in the book "History and Topography of the United States." It is quite plausible that an educated person in the mid-1830s with an interest in geology and looking for adventure would have been familiar with that book.