Breeches

Breeches are still worn as livery for special occasions in several European courts. Here, a coachman in the Netherlands wears them during Prinsjesdag, 2013.
Breeches as worn in the United States in the late 18th century: Elijah Boardman by Ralph Earl, 1789.

Breeches (/ˈbrɪɪz, ˈbr-/ BRITCH-iz, BREE-chiz)[1] are an article of 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. Formerly a standard item of Western men's clothing, they had fallen out of use by the mid-19th century in favour of trousers.

Modern athletic garments used for English riding and fencing, although called breeches or britches, differ from breeches.

  1. ^ "BREECHES definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary". Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-12-03.