18th Century Breeches

Breeches, the part of our clothing that covers the thighs. They are very difficult to cut correctly, because nowadays, to be well made, we consider that they need to cling to the thighs. The belt is attached behind and buttoned in front. Breeches start at the waist and go down as far as the knees, on the sides of which they are buttoned and tightened by a buckle and a garter. They also have an opening with buttons at the front, below the belt; this opening is called the fly , and has been put there so we can satisfy one of our natural needs without removing our clothes.

— translation from the Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers, 1754