Breeches - Types of Breeches

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.

• 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, giving the impression of a woman's petticoat.

• 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.

• Dress breeches are tight fitting and have buttons and a strap and buckle (which are detachable) closure at the bottoms, made of velvet or barathea wool, used for livery, formal and court dress.

• From the 1890s to the 1930s a form of breeches called knickerbockers or knickers (US) were in fashion with both men and boys. Like their 18th century predecessor, they reached and were fastened just below the knees, but the thighs were more loosely worn. There were various versions including plus-fours for golf wear which reached down a further four inches below the knees, or plus-twos which reached down only two inches, often used as apparel for the sport of bird-shooting, especially in Britain.

• Vráka (Greek: βράκα) are the traditional breeches of all Greek islands, from the westernmost Ionian islands to the easternmost, Cyprus. Greek breeches are extremely roomy, and are meant to be tucked inside long boots just below the knee. They were originally meant to facilitate movement on fishing boats and sailing ships. They are usually accompanied by a long, wide piece of cloth turned many times around the natural waist as a belt. As the vráka lacks pockets, items (such as money) were stored inside the folds of this belt. Vrákas are usually made of sturdy double-woven cotton cloth, usually dark blue or black, with brighter color cloth used as the belt. They were usually worn with white, long-sleeved shirts and a roomy waistcoat.

• Breeches are still worn by many chasidic men, particularly those of Galician or Hungarian origin, such as Satmar and Sanz

• 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.

• In the Book of Exodus the kohenim (priests) were commanded to wear white linen breeches known as michnasayim.