Jalkahousut

Jalkahousut is a Finnish term for a type of legwear that covers the leg from the ankle upward, historically functioning as an ensemble element in everyday clothing and traditional dress. The word is a compound of jala, meaning leg or foot, and housut, meaning pants, reflecting its role as a covering for the lower limb.

Historically, jalkahousut were worn in various forms in Finland and other Nordic regions, often made from wool or linen and designed to provide warmth, protection, or modesty. They could be knitted or woven and were sometimes worn under other garments such as breeches, skirts, or outerwear. Some versions were fastened with garters or buttons, while others were worn as a seamless stocking-like layer. In folk costumes, jalkahousut may appear as part of regional dress, illustrating how legwear integrated with overall attire.

Materials and construction vary, but traditional jalkahousut commonly relied on natural fibers such as wool, cotton, or linen. With the advent of synthetic fibers in the 20th century, blends for comfort and durability became more common, aligning with broader changes in hosiery and legwear.

In contemporary Finnish usage, the term jalkahousut is less common in everyday language, having largely been superseded by terms like sukkahousut (pantyhose and tights) and leggings. Nevertheless, jalkahousut persists in historical discourse, costume contexts, and cultural reinterpretations, serving as a reference to earlier forms of legwear. See also hosiery, stockings, tights.