Knee breeches?

Dave, the center fly button front did come first, and the flap/fall front seems to have been developed in southern Germany sometime during the early part of the 18th century. During the middle of the 18th century, the French called it "a la Bavarois", or "Bavarian" style where it was popular. The fly front became less fashionable during the 1750's, and after the French and Indian war was over, the "flap" version with or without pockets was the normal style until about the third or fourth decade of the 19th century when the fly front rebounded and since then, has dominated the type of opening preferred and used by men.

The flap or fall front was originally narrow and gradually became wider over time. By the 1820's, the flap was very broad and as wide as the entire front of the trousers.

If you are considering what type of impression and clothing to wear for roughly 1758, an ethnic German living in the Americas would most likely have been familiar with (and preferred) the flap front. You'd also have the choice of wool, linen, and particularly in the Pennsylvania area, leather.

A French-Canadian might not be aware of the most recent styles or trends in France, and more likely to wear what everyone else did...the fly front. English/Irish/Scottish/Welsh commoners who were familiar with the fly front may have stuck with the style until they learned how to make the new flap front....and gotten used to it.

Older males might stick with a style long after it was no longer fashionable. Younger males, particularly those who lived in towns, had money, etc, might want to adopt the latest style...the flap front.

If you want a pair that would be worn by someone who lived near but not in a settlement, town or city, the legs would probably be buttoned and you'd have an option of the lowest closure on the leg around the knee having a buckle or button closure. Tie strings were known, and some people who didn't care about style may have used them.

You can have them with or without pockets. Pockets are useful but not necessary. Generally, most surviving originals do have "mule ear" pockets that have button closures. There are also pocket less breeches, and making these is considerably easier and faster to make.

That's the short easily digested version....

My clothing:


Closer view of the narrow-fall of my breeches:

I do enjoy wearing my linen breeches from time to time, however I prefer my clouts and leggings.

From my research most woodsman within time adopted many native peoples dress including the clout and leggings throughout the period. This was especially true with many French voyageurs throughout Canada and the great lakes regions. 

My breeches sit at the level of my hips (where my pants usually sit) - they are most comfortable there.

Finding stuff is a function of having looked before and knowing where to look. I have spent hundreds of hours looking at extant pieces in collections/museums as well as period and modern patterns when creating my clothing. I tend to bookmark any page that is interesting or has an image I might use. At that point, it is more a matter of remembering that I saw something somewhere at some time and finding it again or finding new stuff while searching (and bookmarking those pages for future use).

In my opinion based on the research I have done, the best choice for this period & later is the French Fly.



By Hogarth.


Clothing of the 18th century by Beth Gilgun.


This is a pair of French Fly breeches that were made from a pair of fall breeches, which is why the fly looks a little different.
Keith.