Some codpieces had cute little bows on them.

Summary

In the Renaissance period, codpieces emerged as fashionable accessories for men, initially serving practical purposes such as covering the crotch gap left by shorter doublets. They evolved into exaggerated, often phallic-shaped adornments made of luxurious fabrics and embellishments, symbolizing virility and military prowess. Henry VIII famously popularized them, using their figurative associations to bolster his image of fertility. However, by the late 16th century, codpieces fell out of fashion, giving way to other trends like peascod doublets. Today, very few authentic codpieces remain, but they continue to captivate public interest in historical contexts and even resurface in modern fashion and entertainment, albeit in smaller forms.

Comment

Quick, let me grab my money!

  • craftyindividualEnglish
    4·
    5 months ago

    “Crotch gap left by shorter doublets”… I still don’t understand why they made undies with a gap instead of maybe buttons?

    • Zombiepirate@lemmy.worldEnglish
      10·
      5 months ago

      The common legwear in this period were hose; they were like a single long sock for each leg.

      hose

      The codpiece covered the middle bit.

        • Squire1039OPEnglish
          5·
          5 months ago

          Haha. So, a doublet is in a way, like a dress with a skirt. The longer one covers your exposed crotch. Breathtaking indeed!

          Until the late 15thCentury, it was common for men to wear a long tunic or doublet – essentially, a dress – with hose (tights) on their legs. Then the fashion changed. Doublets gradually inched their way upwards over the years, becoming so short that they no longer covered the crotch. This was particularly dangerous, because the hose men wore at the time came individually, like socks, leaving open spaces that were somewhat… revealing.

          • Apathy Tree@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
            7·
            5 months ago

            So not only did men wear wigs and high heels at various points in history, but crotchless stockings too, but they “can’t today” because it’s “not manly”

            Horseshit, bring back the crotchless stockings for men!