What happened to the early 1900s jodhpurs?

[amg800]

Ok, so this might seem super random, but I was recently browsing old photos and noticed the breeches my great grandmother used to wear were…different. I did a google search and found that they look completely unlike any of the skin tight breeches of today. I actually kinda like them! They are ballooned and loose at the top and tighter around the calf. I’m curious if there is anyone that has experience wearing these type of breeches, what are they like/why are these not still a thing??? lol Also noticed these breeches sported more for fashion in a recent Equestrian Living magazine on page 48 https://eqliving.com/april-may-2018/.

[atr]

Stretch fabrics that don’t itch and go in the washing machine happened…

[amg800]

@atr

Stretch fabrics that don’t itch and go in the washing machine happened…

haha, I can only imagine. What about the style though? I am sure someone could make these using performance fabrics (viscose, polyester?)

[bdj]

You can still get those flared breeches from Horse Country in Warrenton - scroll down to “Traditional Riding Breeches”
https://www.horsecountrycarrot.com/index.cfm?action=store&sub=category&cat=30

[Scribbler]

The thigh bulge was to accommodate the thigh and butt when in the saddle in a heavy non stretch fabric.

Spandex happened to breeches.

The RCMP dress uniform still has traditional poofy thighs.

I admire their boots at the musical ride. Not so much the breeches!

[Scribbler]

https://horse-canada.com/star-crosse…l-ride-member/

https://www.google.com/search?q=rcmp+dress+uniform&client=ms-android-bell-ca&prmd=insv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjknaWiytfhAhVyMH0KHV6tBS8Q_AUoAXoECAsQAQ&biw=360&bih=512#imgrc=zVhU_kcZyzAUjM

as you can see the bulge visually disappears when riding but looks kinda goofy off the horse!

[shiloh]

They went the way of all bad fashion. So unflattering - on anyone.

But @Scribbler is right. Fabrics for riding were very heavy and the design was to accommodate thigh and bum while riding. I saw an episode of Perry Mason awhile back and the woman was wearing a pair of those and hoo-ha were they ugly. But they were also riding quarter horses in “outfits” for the Saddlebred ring. :rolleyes:

[amg800]

@shiloh

They went the way of all bad fashion. So unflattering - on anyone.

But @Scribbler is right. Fabrics for riding were very heavy and the design was to accommodate thigh and bum while riding. I saw an episode of Perry Mason awhile back and the woman was wearing a pair of those and hoo-ha were they ugly. But they were also riding quarter horses in “outfits” for the Saddlebred ring. :rolleyes:

hahaha, most of them are superrr ugly. I guess I am just intrigued by the thought of a looser fitting breech. I love the thought of a a breech that is looser in the thigh. I am really not a fan of the super tight breeches on the market these days.

[amg800]

@Scribbler

https://horse-canada.com/star-crosse…l-ride-member/

https://www.google.com/search?q=rcmp+dress+uniform&client=ms-android-bell-ca&prmd=insv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjknaWiytfhAhVyMH0KHV6tBS8Q_AUoAXoECAsQAQ&biw=360&bih=512#imgrc=zVhU_kcZyzAUjM

as you can see the bulge visually disappears when riding but looks kinda goofy off the horse!

Woah, so interesting, I didn’t realize these were still being used today. They do look goofy though,most especially with a show coat. haha

[amg800]

@Scribbler

The thigh bulge was to accommodate the thigh and butt when in the saddle in a heavy non stretch fabric.

Spandex happened to breeches.

The RCMP dress uniform still has traditional poofy thighs.

I admire their boots at the musical ride. Not so much the breeches!

Well that explains it then! Thanks I was so confused as to what the purpose was of the flare.

[shiloh]

I hear you @amg800 - today’s breeches - man, you can’t have a lump of cellulite anywhere! They seem to be all made for what I joking call “The Stick People” - you know - those folk who are no bigger around than your arm and are a size 0. And white? Oh hellz naw….everyone knows what color panties you have on and if you aren’t wearing any, either. :lol::eek:

[Redlei44]

@amg800

hahaha, most of them are superrr ugly. I guess I am just intrigued by the thought of a looser fitting breech. I love the thought of a a breech that is looser in the thigh. I am really not a fan of the super tight breeches on the market these days.

Tailored sportsman is the closest I have to this now - on me, at least, the fabric is structured enough and the cut through the thigh is relaxed enough to make them look and feel less leggings-/tights-like than most other breeches. Especially when I size up (I’m between sizes). Still not nearly the same as those old school ones though!

i have other quibbles with TS but the relaxed-ish fit is why I keep/buy them. . .

[Willesdon]

A lot of mens jods are cut to be less skin tight, if you look at polo or foxhunting.

[2DogsFarm]

<Cue song “Memories” from Cats>
Circa 1960-ish.
One of my first pair of breeches was from an army surplus store.
Beige cavalry twill fabric = zero stretch, poofed thigh area & hellacious buttons that left near-permanent indents on the calf to tighten them so they fit beneath tall boots.
Do not miss them :disgust:

Many years later, in the late 80s-early 90s, DH got a pair marketed as polo breeches. Wish I could remember what catalog we ordered from…
Still some poof in the thighs, but a very nice heavy cotton fabric & Velcro closures at the ankle.

I am in no way one of the Stick People, but I find the newer fabrics & fit comfortable.
Since I ride more often in paddock boots, I appreciate that I can find breeches that don’t stop at the knee w/lower leg in that sock configuration.
Backing up a bit, that does NOT include the latest thin-like-yoga-pants stuff and I am not a fan of the segmented silicone patches :no:

[demidq]

Technically speaking, jodhpurs are pouffy around the hips, tight below the knee and are long to the ankles with a cuff. They are meant to be worn over short boots.They are derived from Indian riding pants, and were adopted by the Brits in the early 1900s. You can still find them in British riding apparel shops.

Breeches look the same on top but were to be worn with tall boots and laced or buttoned below the knee- they weren’t full length. The RCMP wear breeches, not jodhpurs!

[4LeafCloverFarm]

My bad. I’ve corrected.

[alibi_18]

@shiloh

I hear you @amg800 - today’s breeches - man, you can’t have a lump of cellulite anywhere! They seem to be all made for what I joking call “The Stick People” - you know - those folk who are no bigger around than your arm and are a size 0. And white? Oh hellz naw….everyone knows what color panties you have on and if you aren’t wearing any, either. :lol::eek:

You need to invest in a good pair of breeches and all those problems will vanish. I promise.

Tailored Sportsman, Pikeur, Arista, Cavallo, Euro-Star and the like.

Thicker material, better cut, better fit.

Under white clothes, wear skin tone underwear.

As for the OP, I have a really amazing pair of non stretch Kentucky breeches with pooffy front/side (3 pleats?!) and real deerskin full seat.
I got them used and wear them with moderation… ❤️

[hillary_again]

I am old enough to have ridden in these. Right, these were made when there was no stretch in the fabric - no one had figured out how to mill elastic into cotton or other base fabrics. They were more flattering and COOLER in the summer - not sticking to you so much.

Fabrics got a little stretch, like 2-way, and then the shape kind of evolved: like a limited flare. These were pretty nice in the summer, as well.

Note, the jackets were longer back then. They all had a single vent, and came down longer on your thigh, so the flare was covered up more. Look at some of the photos in the 60s and earlier - you can see the difference in jackets immediately. MISS that look - it was way more elegant.

[Rackonteur]

Haha – I wouldn’t say “early 1900s”! Early 1900s would have been a sidesaddle habit for women; and yes, breeches for men. Those peg-top jodhs in your OP were being worn through the mid-20th century. And not all the fabrics were heavy – I had a great pair of twill jodhs in the early 1960s.

They weren’t ugly at all. You’re just not used to them. They were actually quite figure-flattering on women; looked cute on little kids, and there are few outfits that look better on a man than a pair of peg-top breeches with tall boots and a hunt coat. I would post pics but you would probably laugh at them! But they were very good looking. :lol:

[shiloh]

@alibi_18

You need to invest in a good pair of breeches and all those problems will vanish. I promise.

Tailored Sportsman, Pikeur, Arista, Cavallo, Euro-Star and the like.

Thicker material, better cut, better fit.

Under white clothes, wear skin tone underwear.

As for the OP, I have a really amazing pair of non stretch Kentucky breeches with pooffy front/side (3 pleats?!) and real deerskin full seat.
I got them used and wear them with moderation… ❤️

Absolutely! Cheap does not work here.