Dear all
I am making a suit for a friend, based on the 1630s engravings by Bosse -
doublet and breeches, since he already has a shirt and another friend is making
his collar and cuffs.
What I can't work out is the waist of the breeches: in Historical Costume in
Detail, the development seems to be from points laced through the doublet to
the outside, forming decorative bows (which remain after their functional job
is gone) to using solid metal hooks on the inside of the doublet.
None of this sits with the informal wear shown in Bosse, where the breeches are
shown sitting at the natural waist or below the paunch since the doublet is
generally worn open from mid-chest. Would they be gathered onto a solid
waistband and then buttoned (as the flies were buttoned) or was there a
'drawstring' type option?
Bucknell shows both styles, from the very wide 'bag' breeches to the narrower
'spanish' breeches, as being fastened to the doublet lining - but wouldn't that
give (being blunt) the wearer a bit of a wedgy, especially since they are
required for fencing?
I hope that someone who has worn or made a pair before has some feedback on
their comfort - it's not a style I've ever worn myself and I ain't fond of
modern trousers either! :-)
Thanks again - it's nice to be doing something different and a new type of
research..
Katherine S.
"A positive attitude may not solve all of your problems, but it will
annoy enough people to make it worth the effort" - Herm Albright
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