Breeches, pantaloons

Tight fitting trousers such as these would have been worn to show off a muscular and toned male physique. Padding, such as we see here, makes these trousers a rare example of how men would falsely accentuate and emphasised curves and muscle if the wearer was lacking by nature. The museum originally acquired these trousers as we see them, inside out, suggestively in an aim to preserve the whiteness of the leather. Consequently they have not been turned the right way round, and after this length of time it would be unwise to do so due to the fragility of the material.
The trousers are made with light cream leather with narrow legs with vented hems and foot stirrups. They are stored (and have been photographed) inside out. The trousers were acquired inside out, perhaps as a way to preserve the colour of the exterior.
Narrow fall front opening with seven self -covered button fastenings; additional placket and drawstring gusset at the centre back to aid in fitting the waistline.
Hip areas are slightly padded on the interior (exterior as seen in the images) just below the waistband, in a semi-circle shape.
Hand stitched cord piping detail around the fall front and pocket openings. There are six bone buttons around the top of the waistband for braces. Two pockets at the front below the waistband, one long the other shorter and rounder.
Number ‘6’ or ‘9’ written in black ink on the interior right buttock.

Check out accession number A5945/3(24) for a print from 1819 called 'Laceing a Dandy' in which a man is featured with padded hips.