At 14:26 25/07/2006, you wrote:
There's usually and open space or just some kind of overlap (not usually) below the waist closure at the center button, and the fall flap comes up to overlap in front. Look at breeches patterns from about 1830 back. I suppose that flap is just kind of a development of the codpiece. Breeches didn't have a separate waist band, but a lot of military overalls did. Funny thing when civilians started wearing them and overalls branched off into becoming pantaloons and trousers, the waistbands went away. Military overalls and civilian work overalls continued with the separate waistband, just as we see on blue jeans and combat fatigues today.
All the 18th and 19th century breeches I have seen do have a separate waistband. Perhaps it is different in the U.S. although according to "Costume Close-up" and "Fitting and Proper", waistbands were worn in the U.S. too.
There is frequently a small pocket, usually lined in chamois, into which a small watch can be put built into the waistband, which can be up to 3" deep. There are pockets set into the join between the waistband and the top of the breeches, and quite often at the side of the "fall" as well. There are usually two shaped pieces under the fall, which are buttoned together, leaving a gap at the very bottom. All this is hidden by the fall.
Suzi
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