Breeches

Breeches as worn in America in the latter eighteenth century: Elijah Boardman by Ralph Earl, 1789. Ralph Earl ( May 11, 1751 - August 16, 1801) was an American historical and portrait painter

Breeches (pronounced [ˈbritʃɪz]) are an item of male clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles. Clothing (also called clothes, accoutrements, accouterments, or habiliments) protects the Human body from extreme Weather The Waist is the part of the abdomen between the Rib cage and hips. A leg is a limb on an Animal 's Body that supports the rest of the animal above the ground between the Ankle and the Hip and is used for The breeching of a young boy, at an age somewhere between six and eight, was a landmark in his childhood. Breeching was the occasion when a small boy was first dressed in Breeches or trousers

The spelling britches reflects a common pronunciation, and is often used in casual speech to mean trousers or "pants". Trousers are an item of Clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles covering both legs separately (rather than with cloth stretching across Breeks is a Scots or northern English spelling and pronunciation. Scots ( The Scots leid) refers to Anglic varieties derived from early northern Middle English spoken in parts of Scotland and Northern

See also: Trousers and Knickers

1 Etymology
2 Types of breeches
3 Breech
4 Riding Breeches
5 See also
6 References
7 Sources and references

Etymology

Breeches is a double plural known since c. Trousers are an item of Clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles covering both legs separately (rather than with cloth stretching across In the United Kingdom, Ireland and some Commonwealth nations knickers is a word for women's Undergarments George Cruikshank, whose 1205, from Old English (and before Old French) brēc, the plural of brōc "garment for the legs and trunk," from the Proto-Germanic word *brōkiz, whence also the Old Norse word brók, which shows up in the epithet of the Viking king Ragnar Loðbrók, Ragnar "Hairy-breeches". Old Norse is the North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age Ragnar Lodbrok (Ragnar "Hairy-Breeks" Old Norse: Ragnarr Loðbrók) was a Norse legendary hero from the Viking Age who was thoroughly The Proto-Germanic word also gave rise, via a Celtic language, to the Latin word bracca; the Romans, who did not generally wear pants, referred to Germanic tribes as braccati, "wearers of breeches" (or rather, of fabric wrapped around the legs. )

Like other words for similar garments (e. g. , pants, knickers, shorts) the word breeches has been applied to both outer garments and underwear. "Hot Pants" redirects here For the James Brown song see Hot Pants (song Shorts are a Garment worn by both men and women over Undergarments are clothes worn under other clothes often next to the skin Breeches is a singular word which uses a plural form to reflect it has two legs. This construction is common in English, but is no longer common in other languages, e. g. , the parallel modern Dutch broek.

At first breeches indicated a cloth worn as underwear by both men and women. By the Middle Ages breeches meant "drawers" or "underpants. "

In the latter sixteenth century, breeches began to replace hose (while the German Hosen, also a plural, ousted Bruch) as the general English term for men's lower outer garments, a usage that remained standard until knee-length breeches were replaced for everyday wear by long pantaloons or trousers. For contemporary styles see Pantyhose, Hosiery WalterRaleighandson

Until around the end of the nineteenth century (but later in some places), small boys wore special forms of dresses until they were "breeched", or given adult male styles of clothes, at about the age of six to eight (the age fell slowly to perhaps three). A dress (also frock, gown) is a garment consisting of a Skirt with an attached Bodice or with a matching bodice giving the effect of a one-piece Breeching was the occasion when a small boy was first dressed in Breeches or trousers Their clothes were not usually confusable with those of little girls, as the head-covering and hair, chest and collar, and other features were differentiated from female styles.

Types of breeches

The terms breeches or knee-breeches specifically designate the knee-length garments worn by men from the later sixteenth century to the early nineteenth century. After that, they survived in England only in very formal wear, such as the livery worn by some servants into the early twentieth century, and the court dress worn by others, such as Queen's Counsel, down to the present day on formal occasions. A livery is a Uniform or other sign worn in a non-military context on a person or object (such as an airplane or Vehicle) to denote a relationship Queen's Counsel ( postnominal QC) &ndash known as King's Counsel ( KC) during the reign of a male sovereign &ndash are

Spanish breeches, stiff, ungathered breeches popular from the 1630s until the 1650s. Spanish breeches are stiff and close-fitting ungathered Breeches.
Petticoat breeches, very full, ungathered breeches popular from the 1650s until the early 1660s, giving the impression of a woman's petticoat. Petticoat breeches were voluminously wide pleated pants reminiscent of a skirt worn by men in Western Europe during the 1650s and early 1660s A petticoat or underskirt is an article of Clothing for Women; specifically an Undergarment to be worn under a Skirt, dress or
Rhinegraves, full, gathered breeches popular from the early 1660s until the mid 1670s, often worn with an overskirt over them. Rhinegraves are a form of Breeches which were popular from the early 1660s until the mid 1670s in Western Europe
Fall front breeches, breeches with a panel or flap covering the front opening and fastened up with buttons at either corner.
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the term breech-cloth or breech-clout was also used to describe the apron-like loincloths worn by some Native American peoples. A loincloth is a one-piece male garment sometimes kept in place by a belt, which covers the For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States.
In contemporary contexts, breeches are distinguished from other forms of pants or trousers as being shorter than ankle-length and form-fitting, as riding breeches. Trousers are an item of Clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles covering both legs separately (rather than with cloth stretching across (Note, however, that riding breeches through much of the twentieth century tended to flare dramatically through the thighs. )
Breeches are also an item of protective clothing used in the martial art of Fencing. Fencing is the art of armed Combat involving Cutting, Stabbing, or slapping bludgeoning Weapons directly manipulated by hand
In the Book of Exodus the kohenim (priests) were commanded to wear white linen breeches known as michnasayim. Exodus ( Greek: έξοδος eksodos = "departure" is the second book of the Jewish Torah and of the Christian Old Testament. A kohen (or cohen, Hebrew כּהן "priest" pl כּהנִים kohanim or cohanim) has a separate status in Judaism. The Michnasayim ( Mikhnesei bahd) were the Linen Breeches or undergarments worn by the Jewish Kohenim (priests and the Kohen

Breech

The singular meanwhile survived in the metaphorical sense of the part of the body covered by breeches, i. e. , posterior, buttocks; paradoxically, the alliterating expression 'bare breech' thus means without any inner or outer breeches. The buttocks (singular buttock) are rounded portions of the anatomy located on the posterior of the Pelvic region of the Apes including Humans

This also led to the following:

a (gun) breech is the part of a firearm behind the bore (known since 1575 in gunnery).
breech birth in childbirthing (since 1673)

Riding Breeches

Riding breeches are specifically designed for equestrian activities. A breech birth (also known as breech presentation) refers to the position of the Baby in the Uterus such that it will be delivered For the Roman class see Equestrian (Roman Equestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving Horses This broad description Traditionally, they were 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 breeches have no flare and fit skin-tight. Spandex or elastane is a Synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. Zippers and velcro fastenings have replaced laces and buckles at the calves as well. The flared style is seen at times, and is available to cavalry and other historic reenactors. The Cavalry (from French cavalerie) is the second oldest of the Combat Arms, and as Soldiers or Warriors who fought mounted on "Reenactment" redirects here For the 1968 Romanian film see The Reenactment.

Melbourne show competitor in jodhpurs.

There are four main types of riding breeches:

Knee patch breeches: Breeches that stop mid-calf, designed to be worn with tall boots, which come up to the knee, or with half chaps and short paddock boots. Riding boots are Boots made to be used for horseback riding. The classic boot comes high enough up the leg to prevent the leathers of the Saddle from The Clearing House Automated Payment System or CHAPS is a British company established in London in 1984 which offers same-day sterling Riding boots are Boots made to be used for horseback riding. The classic boot comes high enough up the leg to prevent the leathers of the Saddle from They have grippy material, usually leather or a "grippy" synthetic, only on the inside of the knee area. These are the only type of breeches worn by hunt seat riders. Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American Horse Show jumpers, eventers, show hunters, as well as some endurance riders, and pleasure riders also often use the breeches. Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping" or "jumpers" is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises Dressage, cross-country and Show-jumping. The show hunter is a type of show horse in the that is judged on its movement manners and way of going particularly while jumping fences Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long distance races ^[1]
Full seat breeches: Breeches with grippy material from the knee, up the inner thigh, and across the buttocks. These breeches are primarily seen in dressage competition, where the "sticky" seat helps riders stay quiet and deep in the saddle as they sit the gaits of their horses. Dressage (pronounced dress-ahhzh /ˈdrɛsɑʒ/ (a French term most commonly translated to mean "training" is a path and destination of competitive Horse training This is an article on horse gaits for other meanings see gait (disambiguation. The horse ( Equus caballus) is a hoofed ( Ungulate) Mammal, one of eight living species of the family Equidae. However, they are also worn by eventers and other riders. Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises Dressage, cross-country and Show-jumping. They are designed to be worn with tall boots or half chaps. Riding boots are Boots made to be used for horseback riding. The classic boot comes high enough up the leg to prevent the leathers of the Saddle from The Clearing House Automated Payment System or CHAPS is a British company established in London in 1984 which offers same-day sterling ^[1]
Jodhpurs are a type of riding pants with legs extending to the ankles, where the end in a small cuff that fits over the top of a low riding boot. Jodhpurs are tight-fitting Trousers that reach to the ankle where they end in a snug cuff and are worn primarily for horseback riding. The are commonly placed in a separate category separate from other types of breeches due to their additional length. They are most often worn by children. However, they are worn by adults in the show ring in the UK and Australia, and in the USA are seen on adults during riding lessons and for casual riding. These riding pants have elastic straps or "stirrups" that run under the rider's boots, and are usually to be worn with garters, to prevent them from riding up. They are meant to be worn with "jodhpur boots," also known as "paddock boots," which come up just above the ankles. Riding boots are Boots made to be used for horseback riding. The classic boot comes high enough up the leg to prevent the leathers of the Saddle from ^[1]
Kentucky Jodhpurs are full-length riding pants used exclusively in Saddle seat style riding. Saddle seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain horse breeds Like Hunt Seat jodhpurs, they are close-fitting from waist to ankle, but differ in that they are much longer, ending with a flared bell bottom that fits over the jodhpur boot, usually extending longer than the heel of the boot in back, and covering the arch of the foot (but not the toe) in front. Riding boots are Boots made to be used for horseback riding. The classic boot comes high enough up the leg to prevent the leathers of the Saddle from The overall look gives the impression of a rider with a long leg, a desired equitation standard. Equitation refers to a rider's position while mounted and encompasses a rider's ability to ride correctly and with effective aids Like the hunt seat jodhpur, they have elastic straps that run under the boot to help hold the pant leg in place. ^[1]

Color is important in selecting breeches for competition. Sanctioning organizations and tradition both dictate that show clothing is to be quiet, classic and conservative in design. White is common in dressage, and is also seen in show jumping. Dressage (pronounced dress-ahhzh /ˈdrɛsɑʒ/ (a French term most commonly translated to mean "training" is a path and destination of competitive Horse training Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping" or "jumpers" is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes Beige is seen in most hunt seat-style equestrian disciplines, though light grays, "canary" (a dull yellow), rust, tan, and an olive-greenish colour are periodically popular with hunt seat competitors. Hunt seat is terminology used in the United States and Canada to refer to a style of forward seat riding commonly found at American Horse Eventers wear classic colours for the dressage and stadium phase, but less classic colours may be seen on the cross-country course (especially at the lower levels) to match the "stable colours" of the rider. Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises Dressage, cross-country and Show-jumping. Saddle seat riders, whose riding clothing styles derived from men's business suits, wear Kentucky Jodhpurs in dark colors, usually black, navy blue, or a shade that matches the riding coat. Saddle seat is a style of horseback riding within the category of English riding that is designed to show off the high trotting action of certain horse breeds ^[1]

Breeches may be front or side zip. Some competitors believe the side-zip to give a cleaner appearance and to be more flattering. Styles are also developing to parallel trends in street clothing, including low-rise breeches.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Price, Steven D. Daniele Ricciarelli (c 1509 - April 4 1566) better known as Daniele da Volterra, was an Italian mannerist painter (ed. ) The Whole Horse Catalog: Revised and Updated New York:Fireside 1998 ISBN 0-684-83995-4 p. 211–15

Sources and references

The Oxford English Dictionary ( OED) published by the Oxford University Press (OUP is a comprehensive Dictionary of the English

Dictionary

-noun

Plural form of breech.
A garment worn by men, covering the hips and thighs; smallclothes.
(informal) Trousers; pantaloons; britches.

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