Braies

Braies were mens underwear. They are believed to have been made of linen and are frequently depicted as being white (or off-white) in colour.

Frequently observed in a number of manuscripts where people are farming and wearing split hose which are rolled down.

Earlier braies tend to be baggy and have a rolled waist. Later braies conform to a shape closer to modern, form-fitting boxer shorts. There are also images of smaller bikini-like braies in the 15th century.

Their appearance in mixed company in field workers may indicate that the wearing of ones underwear in public was less of a social faux pas than it is today.

External Links

• http://www.randyasplund.com/browse/medieval/chausse1.html
• http://www.randyasplund.com/browse/medieval/chauss2.html
• http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/cloth/trousers/breechesindex.htm
• http://thescholarsgarret.com/artifact/braies/ 15th C braies
• Conjectural Mid-14th Century Braies http://scamelee.freeservers.com/braies_personal.html
• http://www.bucks-retinue.org.uk/content/view/76/87/