Field fashion: why did cowboys wear two pairs of pants at once? (7 photos)

The creators of westerns try to maintain historical accuracy as much as possible. Including in terms of clothing.





The images of cowboys, with their general brevity, are not without graceful negligence in terms of accessories. But at one point there is overkill: why pull on two pairs of pants at the same time - regular jeans and weird fringed leather pants?



We must immediately understand that we are talking about cowboys - shepherds and farmers, and not romanticized characters who pass the time for shooting with the Indians, with each other and drinking whiskey in saloons in company of sultry beauties.

Chapy or leggings - this is just that leather a design worn by shepherds over ordinary trousers. They were fixed with the help of a reliable system of fastenings and buttons. IN goat skin, buffalo skin, less often sheepskin was used as a material.





It is believed that the first chapy - "chaparahos" ("iron leg") began to use the Mexicans - cowboys vaqueros. In fact these were just layers of cowhide that were attached to the saddle. Inhabitants of Texas spied on this idea and adapted it to their own needs, making legs longer, denser and provided with edging.



Depending on the weather and operating conditions, chaps are divided into 3 types:

"Shotgun" ("Closed Leg") - shotgun. Design without seams, exactly repeating the shape of the body and consisting of two legs with patch pockets and fringe. The shape resembles a rifle butt - hence the name.

"Batwing" - batwing. Comfortable fastening system, which allows you to put on and take off the chaps without outside help. Shortened for ease of movement.

"Angora" - angora. In fact, a kind of "Shotgun", but only insulated. Most often made from the wool of angora goats, the breed of which gave the name to the pants.



And the main task of this piece of equipment is protection. Naturally, the life and life of a shepherd is a constant influence of external factors. And such a leather layer protects well from chafing. while in the saddle, from the bites of animals - their own and others, from scratches and cuts when moving in dense, high or abundant thorns in the grass.



In addition, adhesion is the degree of adhesion to the saddle surface. or a horse's back is better in the case of skin than with a more slippery jeans fabric. And the issue of saving cannot be discounted: it is simpler and It’s cheaper to replace one chaps than to constantly change torn jeans.



By the way, cowboys borrowed the fashion for chaps already for use in modern life. For example, they are used for doing some hazardous work and riding a motorcycle.