Braies

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Example of English garb 13th century. The men wear tunics called cottes that were split in the front so that they could be tucked in to their belts for ease of movement. They also wear trewes and braies. This is typical working man's attire.

Braies are a type of trouser that hung to the knees or mid-calf, similar to what we today call shorts. By the later middle ages, they were worn exclusively as undergarments, worn under hose or other forms of trousers.

In history

The 12th and 13th c. men's underwear, known as Braies or Breeches were a long legged full garment, shaped somewhat like pantaloons with a long flap at the top that is rolled down called the coulisse 14th C. Braies seam to have straight legs and less fabric, although they still roll down at the hips. The length also shortens later in period.

Braies are made of white linen, or wool for lower classes. Over the braies would be chausses, tied onto the braies at the hips.

Links

• Making period braies