Description : Traditionally an item of men's clothing, consisting of two coverings tied around each leg with straps, buttons, ties, drawstrings or buckles. Breeches more commonly stopped at knee length although some cover the leg to the ankles.
Subtypes : Riding breeches (tight in the legs, stopping about halfway down the calf, with buckles or laces in the calf section, and had a pronounced flare through the thighs that allowed freedom of movement for the rider - however, with the advent of modern stretch materials such as spandex, modern riding breeches have no flare and fit skin-tight), Spanish breeches (stiff, ungathered breeches popular from the 1630s until the 1650s), Petticoat breeches (very full, ungathered breeches popular from the 1650s until the early 1660s), Rhinegraves (full, gathered breeches popular from the early 1660s until the mid 1670s, often worn with an overskirt over them), Fall front breeches (breeches with a panel or flap covering the front opening and fastened up with buttons at either corner). The term "knee breeches" actually describes a different garment, knickerbockers.
Parts : Right and left leg coverings
Preferred fabrics : Modern riding breeches are made out of spandex, nylon and even silk, but traditional breeches were made out of cotton or leather.
Construction :
Sewing problem areas :
Example creations : 18th century style breeches,
Example patterns : colonial knee breeches (free how-to), children's breeches, stretch riding breeches, 14th century breeches (free), 17th century breeches patterns, JP Ryan Fall Front Breeches pattern, 18th century breeches pattern (free),
Uses worldwide :
Origins and history : The term breeches dates from at least as early as 1205, as there are suggestions that a variation of breeches were worn by the Norsemen during that period. The name derives from the protoGermanic work "brotik" meaning "a garment for the legs and trunk". The term has been used for both outerwear and underwear at various epochs. In the late 16th century, breeches replaced hose as the male garment of choice for the lower body, and remained prevalent until they were displaced by trousers or "pantaloons" in the early 19th century in England and the late 18th century in France.
Alternate names : britches, breeks, braies
Related or similar garments : jodphurs, knickers, knickerbockers
Wikipedia reference


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