Jodhpurs are a special kind of pants that are worn for horseback riding. These trousers are tight fitting throughout the whole leg and cuffed at the ankle, though an earlier version of the pant was flared from waist to knee and tight from knee to ankle. While they are primarily used for sporting, they are also a popular form of menswear in India to this day. Read on to learn more about the history, origins, and use of jodhpurs.

The reason for the unique design of these pants is simple. The bottoms were fitted to prevent friction from causing discomfort while horseback riding. By contrast, the hip and thigh area needed to be loose to avoid restriction of movement while on your horse. However, because of new advancements in fabrics, some modern types are fitted tightly on the whole leg. All versions end in a fitted cuff and a strap that goes underneath the riding boot. In general, the design is the same whether they are worn on men or women.

The name jodhpur comes from a traditional type of Indian pants known as the Churidar. Originating in Northern India, they were popularized in Northern England by a son of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. An avid polo player, he sported the pants during matches in the United Kingdom, and the style spread like wildfire throughout Europe.

Although these pants originally came only in beige and white, a rainbow of colors is available for purchase today. Some also have leather patches that serve to reinforce the fabric. While all early versions of this pants were made from cotton twill, today the fabric options for riding pants are endless. All versions typically have belt loops and two front pockets, with no hip pockets.

Jodhpurs quickly spread beyond the equestrian community to become a staple of official uniforms. By the early 20th century, they were also worn by military forces in Europe as well as by many police officers on that continent.

In the 1920s, these pants became popular off the saddle when designer Coco Chanel began featuring them in her collections. Since that time, many designers have incorporated an equestrian flair into their collections, most notably Ralph Lauren. However, it is difficult to find fashion jodhpurs in the Western world, so many aficionados order them online from India.

For riders who use the saddle seat style, a different type of jodhpurs is popular. The variation, called Kentucky-style, is longer than the traditional pant and has a flared bottom that fits over boots. Many people confuse jodhpurs for breeches, which are a different type of riding pants. Breeches include buttons or laces along the last 5-6 inches of the pant leg that are designed as a mechanism to fasten the pants directly to riding boots.

If you are going to a formal event and want to stand out, jodhpurs are a unique choice for the fashionable male. Try pairing them with a matching shirt and sports coat, or with a simple button down for a more casual event. This style, which is a staple of Indian menswear, is bound to get you noticed. While it can be difficult to find this style in a store in the United States, you can easily order them online.