"Breeches" is an English term. Like "culotte" is the French term ("sans
culottes" were French revolutionaries who wore "pantalon"). And even "Jodhpurs"
were those riding pants with wide hips (now, just riding pants) worn
traditionally in ....duh.... Jodhpur, India. for riding. So I'd say when a 16th
century English writer talks about "breeches"... he really just means whatever
pants local people wear. But saying men in Persia wear no breeches implies they
don't wear tight, knee-length pants. I don't think he would consider full
"persian" pants to be breeches.
-----Original Message-----
From: Data-Samtak Susan <[email protected]>
To: Historical Costume <[email protected]>
Sent: Fri, Jul 20, 2012 3:39 pm
Subject: Re: [h-cost] Meaning of "breeches" in late 16th to mid-17th c. English
In the 21st Century, horseback riding "pants" are still called breeches,
especially the ones that are a few inches shorter and end above the ankle to be
worn inside tall slim boots aka "riding boots".
The longer version that cover the ankle , usually with a cuff, (so not suited
for tucking into tall slim boots comfortably) are sometimes still referred to
as
"jodphurs".
Of curse the Western Wear pants are called Jeans, usually made of denim, but
not
exclusively, which can be tucked into the shorter height Western Boot, or left
covering the boot tops.
Susan
On Jul 20, 12, at 2:41 PM, Jill wrote:
>
> Breeches were and still are outer wear. In Persia the men would have, as
some still do today, wear long robes and any trousers (of any desciption) worn
would not be immediately apparent. Don't take the description written in 16th
and 17th centuries to be valid in modern language. For example - for someone
to
be seen naked in the 17th century didn't mean to be bare and without clothing,
it meant to be seen in your underwear (which was a big no no).
>
> Jill
>
>
> At 19:27 20/07/2012, you wrote:
>> I'm trying to determine what the word "breeches" meant - did it mean
underpants only, or did it have other meanings, for example, knee-length or
shorter trousers - from the late 16th through mid-17th centuries.
>>
>> I ask because visitors to Persia commented that the men wore no breeches and
i'm trying to determine the implications.
>>
>> I have seen knee-length trousers called "breeches" in parts of 16th c.
>> Europe
- garments that could be outer wear. As certain details of European clothing
are
outside my expertise, i am asking the collective wisdom here.
>>
>> Thank you.
>>
>> Urtatim al-Qurtubiyya
>> SCA
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>
> www.gjh.me.uk
> Growing old is inevitable but growing up is optional
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