Hose (clothing)
Hose are any of various styles of men's clothing for the legs and lower body, worn from the Middle Ages through the 17th century, when the term fell out of use in favor of breeches and stockings. The old plural form of "hose" was
hosen. The French equivalent was
chausses. Early wool hose were fitted to the leg, and 15th century hose were often made particolored or
mi-parti, having each leg a different color, or even one leg made of two colors. These early hose were footed, in the manner of modern tights, and were open from the crotch to the leg. When very short doublets were in fashion, codpieces were added to cover the front opening. By the 16th century, hose had separated into two garments:
upper hose or
breeches and
nether hose or stockings. From the mid-16th to early 17th centuries, a variety of styles of hose were in fashion. Popular styles included: ▪
Trunk hose or
round hose, short padded hose. Very short trunk hose were worn over
cannions, fitted hose that ended above the knee. ▪
Slops or
galligaskins, loose hose reaching just below the knee.