History of Bifurcated Garments

**Wulfestieg** · 8th February 06, 12:00 AM

Well, much as I like Kilt Day and all, their facts are a bit off. Even in the time of Caesar, the Celts were wearing pants. In fact, their usage of bifurcated garments was one of the things that caused the Romans to call them barbarians. So in the 1st centuryd BC, at least, we have bifurcated garments in common use. I believe that Aristophanes makes reference to the 'barbaroi' wearing pants in a couple of his comedies (late 5th/early 4th century BC), but I'd have to double check that, since I'm a Romano-Celtic archaeologist, not a Hellenist.

In any case, off the top of my head, I can't think of an example predating the Celts that there is literary/archaeological evidence, but I would happily defer to someone who can find that evidence.

**Yaish** · 8th February 06, 12:23 AM

I'm not sure they would be 'pants'. Leggings certainly, though usually they were two separate pieces, one attached to each leg. I'd guess that many variations on that existed throughout cultures and history. Surely someone probably made a pair of leggings that were connected via a waist piece.

**Pleater** · 8th February 06, 03:00 AM

I think one at least of the 'bog bodies' was wearing a woven trouserish garment, with joined at the top legs and even foot coverings included.

They are difficult to date, though, as the process of preservation introduces carbon from the bog into the tissues.

**Frank** · 8th February 06, 08:33 AM

I remember seeing a kids programme which told of trousers being invented by one Jacob Trouser during the 19th century. They were apparently championed by the Duke of Wellington who found them ideal for wearing (rather than britches) when on horseback.

Oddly enough, I don't see all that many people riding to the office in the morning on the M25 (London orbital road). But inertia and programming keep most folk in trousers..

**GlassMan** · 9th February 06, 01:19 PM

Archeological evidence shows that the people of the steppes & caucusus were pant-wearers from at least the time of Rome. Apparently it was much easier to control your horse in pants. I would say that there is an absolute connection between barbarism and wearing pants.