Jodhpurs are a special kind of pants that are worn for horseback riding. These trousers are tight fitting throughout the whole leg and cuffed at the ankle, though an earlier version of the pant was flared from waist to knee and tight from knee to ankle. While they are primarily used for sporting, they are also a popular form of menswear in India to this day. Read on to learn more about the history, origins, and use of jodhpurs.
The purpose of these pants was to prevent friction on the lower leg when horseback riding, while billowing at the top to allow for free movement of the thighs and hips. Today, however, flexible fabrics allow pants to be fitted throughout and still serve the same function, so many modern jodhpurs are worn tight to the entire leg. Both versions have a fitted cuff at the bottom that attaches to a strap designed to go under the foot. They are also one of the rare pieces of sportswear that are the same for both women and men.
This style of pants originates from India, where they were first known as the Churidar. In the 1800s, a son of the Maharaja of Jodhpur began wearing the pants during polo matches in Europe. The fashion caught on, and the United Kingdom was soon full of both polo players and casual riders who adapted this pants style.
While traditional jodhpurs were either beige or white, today they come in a variety of colors. Many have leather patches to reinforce the fabric so it doesn't become worn through riding. The pants are usually paired with a short riding boot, also known as a jodhpur. While cotton twill was the classic fabric for these pants, today they are made from a variety of materials. Today's versions usually have a french front and two front pockets, but no hip pockets.
These classic riding pants have also had a life in areas outside of the equestrian community. In the 20th century, many of Europe's armies adapted the pants as part of their uniforms. The same happened with police officers, particularly those who patrolled on motorcycle and horseback.
Beyond their functional use, jodhpurs have been quite fashionable at certain times in history. In the 1920s, lauded women's wear designer Coco Chanel began featuring the style in her collections. They quickly became picked up by other major fashion designers as well; particularly Ralph Lauren, whose designs continue to have an equestrian influence to this day.
For riders who use the saddle seat style, a different type of jodhpurs is popular. The variation, called Kentucky-style, is longer than the traditional pant and has a flared bottom that fits over boots. Many people confuse jodhpurs for breeches, which are a different type of riding pants. Breeches include buttons or laces along the last 5-6 inches of the pant leg that are designed as a mechanism to fasten the pants directly to riding boots.
While jodhpurs as menswear in a formal setting has not caught on in the United States, they are a staple for black tie events in India. If you are truly daring, wearing a suit of this kind to your next formal event will truly make you stand out in the crowd. You can pair the pants with a matching shirt and sports coat, or, for a less formal look, with a crisp, button-down Oxford shirt.
The purpose of these pants was to prevent friction on the lower leg when horseback riding, while billowing at the top to allow for free movement of the thighs and hips. Today, however, flexible fabrics allow pants to be fitted throughout and still serve the same function, so many modern jodhpurs are worn tight to the entire leg. Both versions have a fitted cuff at the bottom that attaches to a strap designed to go under the foot. They are also one of the rare pieces of sportswear that are the same for both women and men.
This style of pants originates from India, where they were first known as the Churidar. In the 1800s, a son of the Maharaja of Jodhpur began wearing the pants during polo matches in Europe. The fashion caught on, and the United Kingdom was soon full of both polo players and casual riders who adapted this pants style.
While traditional jodhpurs were either beige or white, today they come in a variety of colors. Many have leather patches to reinforce the fabric so it doesn't become worn through riding. The pants are usually paired with a short riding boot, also known as a jodhpur. While cotton twill was the classic fabric for these pants, today they are made from a variety of materials. Today's versions usually have a french front and two front pockets, but no hip pockets.
These classic riding pants have also had a life in areas outside of the equestrian community. In the 20th century, many of Europe's armies adapted the pants as part of their uniforms. The same happened with police officers, particularly those who patrolled on motorcycle and horseback.
Beyond their functional use, jodhpurs have been quite fashionable at certain times in history. In the 1920s, lauded women's wear designer Coco Chanel began featuring the style in her collections. They quickly became picked up by other major fashion designers as well; particularly Ralph Lauren, whose designs continue to have an equestrian influence to this day.
For riders who use the saddle seat style, a different type of jodhpurs is popular. The variation, called Kentucky-style, is longer than the traditional pant and has a flared bottom that fits over boots. Many people confuse jodhpurs for breeches, which are a different type of riding pants. Breeches include buttons or laces along the last 5-6 inches of the pant leg that are designed as a mechanism to fasten the pants directly to riding boots.
While jodhpurs as menswear in a formal setting has not caught on in the United States, they are a staple for black tie events in India. If you are truly daring, wearing a suit of this kind to your next formal event will truly make you stand out in the crowd. You can pair the pants with a matching shirt and sports coat, or, for a less formal look, with a crisp, button-down Oxford shirt.
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