Trousers facts for kids

Ancient trousers from the 4th century, found in Germany.

A sans-culotte from France, showing early trousers.

Trousers are a type of clothing that you wear on the lower part of your body. They cover each leg separately, unlike skirts or dresses which cover both legs together. In some places like Canada, South Africa, and the United States, trousers are often called pants.

People wear trousers for many reasons. They offer protection from the weather, keep you warm, and are also a big part of fashion and personal style. Trousers usually sit around your hips or waist. They can be held up with a belt or braces (which are also known as suspenders).

A Brief History of Trousers

For a long time, trousers were mostly worn by men in the Western countries. This started around the 16th century. Before that, people often wore robes or tunics. Trousers were especially useful for activities like riding horses, as they allowed for more freedom of movement than skirts or dresses.

Over time, trousers became more and more common. By the end of the 20th century, they became a popular clothing choice for women too. Today, trousers are worn by people of all genders around the world. They come in many different styles and materials, from denim jeans to formal dress pants.

Related pages

• Breeches
• Jeans

Images for kids

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  A man wearing trousers.

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  A Roman bronze statue of a Suebi person wearing trousers, from the 1st to 3rd century AD.

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  Parthians from Palmyra wearing baggy trousers, around 240 AD in Syria.

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  A detail from a 12th-century English book, showing a man wearing trousers.

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  An Amazon warrior wearing trousers and carrying a shield, from an Ancient Greek vase around 470 BC.

See also

In Spanish: Pantalón para niños