Jodhpurs vs Breeches
Breeches and Jodhpurs are specially designed leg wear to make horse riding comfortable during equestrian events. It is seen that horse riding requires special trousers to be able to ride without any problem as commonly worn trousers and jeans create problems in the form of discomfort. The two styles of horse riding trousers are very similar to each other making it difficult for horse riding enthusiasts to decide between the two. This article makes clear the little differences between Jodhpurs and Breeches as these differences mean the difference between the boots that you can wear while riding a horse.
Jodhpurs
Named after a North Indian city of Jodhpur, Jodhpurs are trousers that are tight fitting below the knee but loose at the top around the hips to make them comfortable for the wearer during horse riding. These trousers are allowed to reach up to the ankle of the wearer but end there so as not to make any problem while riding a horse. With the passage of time, Jodhpurs have become tight fitting right from the hip down to the ankle while flare could be seen around the hip in earlier times. Jodhpurs resemble in design with Churidars that are worn traditionally in the northern part of India. It goes to the credit of Pratap Singh, the son of Maharaja of Jodhpur, to popularize this style of trousers in England when he went there to take part in diamond jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria in 1897. Polo players and the royalties loved this style of horse riding trousers and soon the ankle length trousers with flare around the hip became very popular in England.
Breeches
Breeches are leg wear that are worn while riding a horse. They are made knee length so as not to cause any obstruction in the movement of legs while riding. However, there are also versions of breeches that are made up to ankle of the wearer. At one point of time, breeches were very popular and an integral part of the wardrobe of a man in England. But today they have given way to pantaloons and jeans as horse riding is no more a common thing and people have automobiles for transport. Breeches are today restricted to sports like fencing and equestrian to allow for easy movement for the wearer.
What is the difference between Jodhpurs and Breeches?
• Breeches originated in England whereas Jodhpurs originated in North India, named after the Indian city of Jodhpur.
• Breeches are shorter in length than Jodhpurs as they stop below the knee whereas Jodhpurs go down to the ankle.
• Jodhpurs can be used with long and short boots whereas a horse rider can make use of Breeches only when he decides to wear long boots.
• Jodhpurs give a chance to the judges to have a look at the leg positioning of the horse rider in an equestrian event.