Breeches

Breeches

A pair of tight pants or shorts with separate coverings for the legs, usually stopping just below the knee. Breeches were worn by men and boys as undergarments and outer garments from classical Roman dress until the seventeenth century, when they began to be replaced in many European countries by trousers. In the United States, breeches continued in use into the eighteenth century before falling out of favor, and they were replaced by pants, which have since also come to be used as a general term for lower-body undergarments. The term breeches may also be applied to jodhpurs, which are similar and intended for riding, or to other trousers with separate coverings for the leg.

The word breeches is closely related to the term breechcloth, which refers to the loin cloth worn by some Indigenous peoples of the Americas. The slang term brisks is also used to describe a pair of breeches, and the word brisks may be used as an adjective meaning "loud" or "tight."

Breeches (pronounced BRITCH-iz) are usually tight, but they can be a bit looser on the calves than on the thighs and hips. They can have either a front or a side zipper. They can have a wide or narrow waistband, and they can be worn with a belt. Most modern riding breeches are designed to fit skin-tight, with little or no flare on the calves. In contrast, jodhpurs are typically looser in the waistband, with a slightly wider or narrower leg opening than breeches and often a higher rise, reminiscent of a skirt.

Some riders prefer to wear full-seat breeches for greater grip, while others prefer knee silicone grip breeches that allow more flexibility and movement between the seat and the saddle. Jodhpurs are also widely used for show jumping, where the rider needs to be able to move quickly around the course while keeping a good hold on their horse.

For those who like a less formal look, a pair of jodhpurs with a high-rise is an alternative to a skirt for schooling or competitions. They can be made from any fabric that is suitable for riding and may have a wide or narrow leg opening. They can be worn with a belt and often have a thigh-high slit for more flexibility.

In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many women wore breeches with blouses and other tops, in addition to wearing traditional skirts. Breeches are more practical than skirts for riders, as they don't have to be pulled up or down to fit a waistband. In fact, the earliest breeches were not even close-fitting, but rather wide and padded for comfort. In more recent times, some women have preferred to ride in jeans or other pants, citing a preference for the freedom of movement and flexibility that they provide. However, many riders still choose to wear breeches because they are more comfortable and can be worn in a variety of activities other than just riding.