breeches

Breeches are tight-fitting trousers that end at or just below the knee, traditionally worn by men and, in some periods, by women. They were common in Europe from the late Middle Ages through the early modern era and were typically worn with hose or stockings and garters. The term covers several related styles that vary in length, fit, and purpose.

Knee-breeches are the classic form, ending at the knee and often fastened with buttons at the side or front. Riding breeches are designed for horseback use, with a snug fit from waist to knee and reinforced inner thighs or patches for durability. Longer variants such as plus-fours extend several inches below the knee and were popular in some 20th-century contexts, notably golf.

In fashion history, breeches were standard everyday wear for men from the 16th through the 18th centuries, typically paired with waistcoats and coats. By the 19th century, full-length trousers largely replaced knee-breeches for civilian attire, though breeches persisted in military uniforms, ceremonial dress, and equestrian contexts.

Today, breeches are most commonly associated with riding and ceremonial or historical costumes. In equestrian sports, riding breeches are worn with tall boots or half-chaps, and the term also appears in references to period costumes and some traditional regional dress.