The Land of Cockaigne, Detail

Men's Garment Myths

Myth: Men's' clothing should fit like today's garments, loose, baggy and hang off the hips.

Upper stocks (ie. What we call pants) are known as breeches, Venetians, slops, etc.

• Worn at waist level, or just below, but not slung low at the hips. Usually worn across the waist level in the back.
• Held up by points laced to the doublet. Points were often worn undone when active, such as working, dancing, or even just lying around.

Nether stocks are hosen, hose, cloth hose, knit hose, etc.

• · Nether stocks were knitted by hand sometime around the 1530s. It wasn't until 1589, when William Lee, a clergyman, invented the first knitting machine in England.
• They were often cut from cloth on the bias, were worn tightly, and held up by points laced to the doublet.

The Land of Cockaigne, by Pieter Bruegel, 1567.