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Trousers - Clothes and Fashion

20 chapters

intermediate

Check out our readings on casual bottoms to learn about comfortable and stylish options for relaxed looks, including jeans, leggings, and more.

章节

Trousers

Read a passage about a formal or semi-formal pair of pants, designed for a polished look, perfect for work or special occasions.

A Brief History of Trousers

1.1

Trousers, also known as pants, are an essential part of modern clothing. They are worn by people all over the world and have become a staple in wardrobes everywhere. But have you ever wondered where trousers came from? Who first thought to wear them? The story of trousers is fascinating and full of surprising twists and turns.

裤子，也被称为长裤，是现代服装的重要组成部分。世界各地的人们都穿着它们，它们已成为各地衣柜中的主打产品。但你是否曾想过裤子是从哪里来的？是谁第一个想到穿它们的？裤子的故事引人入胜，充满了令人惊讶的曲折。

Ancient Origins

1.2

The history of trousers dates back thousands of years. The first known trousers were worn by ancient people in Central Asia around 3,000 years ago. These early trousers were made from wool and were likely designed to protect the wearer while riding horses. At the time, horses were the primary means of transportation across long distances, sometimes over hundreds of kilometers. Riding a horse without any kind of leg protection could be quite uncomfortable, especially in rough terrain. Trousers helped protect riders from the elements, like wind and cold, and also made it easier to move around.

裤子的历史可以追溯到几千年前。已知最早的裤子是由中亚的古代人大约在3000年前穿着的。这些早期的裤子由羊毛制成，可能旨在保护穿着者在骑马时。当时，马是长途交通的主要方式，有时长达数百公里。骑马时没有任何腿部保护可能会相当不舒服，尤其是在崎岖的地形上。裤子有助于保护骑手免受风和寒冷等自然因素的影响，也使得移动更加容易。

1.3

Interestingly, early trousers were quite different from the ones we wear today. They were more like leggings, with separate pieces of fabric for each leg, tied together at the waist. This design was practical for horseback riding because it allowed for more freedom of movement. As time went on, the design of trousers evolved, and they became more similar to the trousers we are familiar with today.

有趣的是，早期的裤子与我们今天穿的裤子大不相同。它们更像紧身裤，每条腿有单独的布料，在腰部系在一起。这种设计对于骑马很实用，因为它允许更多的活动自由。随着时间的推移，裤子的设计演变，它们变得更像我们今天熟悉的裤子。

The Romans and the Middle Ages

1.4

When we think of ancient Rome, we often picture people wearing long tunics and togas. Trousers were not common in Roman society, and they were seen as strange or barbaric. The Romans first encountered trousers when they expanded their empire into Northern Europe. There, they found that the local tribes wore trousers, especially the Celts and the Germans. At first, the Romans were shocked by this fashion choice. They thought trousers were odd because they were so different from the loose-fitting garments they were used to wearing.

当我们想到古罗马时，我们常常会想象人们穿着长袍和托加袍。裤子在罗马社会中并不常见，被视为奇怪或野蛮。罗马人第一次遇到裤子是在他们向北欧扩张帝国的时候。在那里，他们发现当地的部落穿着裤子，尤其是凯尔特人和日耳曼人。起初，罗马人对这种时尚选择感到震惊。他们认为裤子很奇怪，因为它们与他们习惯穿的宽松服装大不相同。

1.5

However, as time went on, the Romans realized that trousers were quite practical, especially in cold weather. Some Roman soldiers began wearing trousers under their armor for added warmth and protection. By the Middle Ages, trousers had become a more common piece of clothing throughout Europe. They were often worn by men of all social classes, from knights and soldiers to farmers and craftsmen.

然而，随着时间的推移，罗马人意识到裤子非常实用，尤其是在寒冷的天气里。一些罗马士兵开始在盔甲下穿裤子以增加温暖和保护。到了中世纪，裤子已成为整个欧洲更常见的服装。它们经常被各个社会阶层的男性穿着，从骑士和士兵到农民和工匠。

The Renaissance and the Birth of Breeches

1.6

During the Renaissance, fashion began to change once again. People started to pay more attention to their appearance, and clothes became a way to show off one's status and wealth. Trousers, or breeches as they were called then, were worn by men from the upper classes. These breeches were often made from expensive materials like silk or velvet and were sometimes decorated with embroidery or lace.

在文艺复兴时期，时尚再次开始发生变化。人们开始更加注重自己的外表，衣服成为了展示一个人地位和财富的方式。裤子，或者当时被称为马裤，是上层阶级男性穿着的。这些马裤通常由丝绸或天鹅绒等昂贵材料制成，有时还装饰有刺绣或蕾丝。

1.7

Breeches were typically knee-length and were worn with long stockings that covered the lower leg. This style became very popular in Europe, especially in countries like France and England. Breeches were considered very fashionable and were worn by many famous figures of the time, including kings and noblemen. For example, "King Louis XIV" of France, known for his extravagant taste in fashion, was often seen wearing beautifully decorated breeches.

马裤通常是及膝长度，搭配覆盖小腿的长袜穿着。这种风格在欧洲非常流行，尤其是在法国和英国等国家。马裤被认为非常时尚，被当时许多著名人物穿着，包括国王和贵族。例如，法国国王路易十四以其奢华时尚品味而闻名，经常穿着装饰精美的马裤。

The Industrial Revolution and the Rise of Trousers

1.8

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the 18th century, brought about many changes in society, including changes in fashion. As factories and machines began to take over traditional methods of production, people started to move to cities in search of work. This shift led to a demand for more practical and durable clothing. Trousers became the go-to choice for working men because they were comfortable, easy to move in, and could withstand the wear and tear of factory work.

始于18世纪的工业革命给社会带来了许多变化，包括时尚方面的变化。随着工厂和机器开始取代传统的生产方式，人们开始搬到城市寻找工作。这种转变导致了对更实用、更耐用服装的需求。裤子成为工作男性的首选，因为它们舒适、易于活动，并且能够承受工厂工作的磨损。

1.9

During this time, trousers also became more standardized. Instead of being custom-made by a tailor, trousers began to be produced in factories, which made them more affordable for the average person. This change was significant because it meant that trousers were no longer just for the wealthy but could be worn by people of all social classes.

在此期间，裤子也变得更加标准化。裤子不再由裁缝定制，而是开始在工厂生产，这使得普通人更能负担得起。这一变化意义重大，因为它意味着裤子不再只是富人的专属，而是可以被所有社会阶层的人穿着。

The 20th Century and Beyond

1.10

In the 20th century, trousers underwent even more changes. At the beginning of the century, trousers were still primarily worn by men. Women typically wore dresses or skirts. However, during World War I, many women began to work in factories and other jobs that were traditionally held by men. Trousers were much more practical for these kinds of jobs, and so women began to wear them more often.

在20世纪，裤子经历了更多的变化。在世纪之初，裤子主要还是由男性穿着。女性通常穿着裙子或连衣裙。然而，在第一次世界大战期间，许多女性开始在工厂和其他传统上由男性担任的工作中工作。裤子对于这类工作来说要实用得多，因此女性开始更频繁地穿着它们。

1.11

After the war, trousers became more acceptable for women, although it was still considered unusual for women to wear them in public. This began to change in the 1930s and 1940s when actresses like "Katharine Hepburn" and "Marlene Dietrich" were seen wearing trousers in movies. These actresses helped to popularize trousers for women and made them seem more fashionable and acceptable.

战后，裤子对女性来说变得更加可接受，尽管女性在公共场合穿裤子仍然被认为是不寻常的。这种情况在20世纪30年代和40年代开始改变，当时像"凯瑟琳·赫本"和"玛琳·黛德丽"这样的女演员在电影中穿裤子。这些女演员帮助普及了女性穿裤子，并使裤子看起来更时尚和可接受。

1.12

Today, trousers are worn by everyone, regardless of gender, age, or social status. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, from jeans and chinos to formal trousers and cargo pants. Trousers have truly become a universal piece of clothing.

如今，裤子被每个人穿着，无论性别、年龄或社会地位如何。它们有各种形状、尺寸和颜色，从牛仔裤和斜纹棉布裤到正装裤和工装裤。裤子确实已经成为一种普遍的服装。

Trousers in Language

1.13

Trousers have not only made their mark in fashion but also in language. There are several idioms and expressions related to trousers that are commonly used in English. For example, the expression "fly by the seat of your pants" means to do something without any preparation or plan. It comes from the early days of aviation when pilots had to rely on their instincts and basic instruments to navigate. Another common expression is "wear the trousers," which means to be the one in control or to have the final say in a situation, often used in the context of relationships.

裤子不仅在时尚界留下了印记，也在语言中留下了印记。英语中有几个与裤子相关的习语和表达方式很常用。例如，“fly by the seat of your pants”这个表达意味着毫无准备或计划地做某事。它来自航空业的早期，当时飞行员必须依靠直觉和基本仪器来导航。另一个常见的表达是“wear the trousers”，意思是掌控局面或拥有最终决定权的人，通常用在人际关系的语境中。

Trousers in Pop Culture

1.14

Trousers have also made their way into pop culture. In the famous children's book "The Cat in the Hat" by "Dr. Seuss," the mischievous cat wears a tall hat and a bow tie, but he is never seen wearing trousers. This lack of trousers adds to the cat's playful and whimsical character. In movies, trousers have often been used to make a statement about a character's personality or status. For instance, in the movie "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," the main character "Indiana Jones" is known for his iconic look, which includes a pair of rugged trousers, showing his adventurous spirit.

裤子也进入了流行文化。在苏斯博士著名的儿童读物《戴帽子的猫》中，调皮的猫戴着高帽子和蝴蝶结，但从未看到他穿裤子。这种裤子的缺失增加了猫的俏皮和异想天开的性格。在电影中，裤子经常被用来对角色的性格或地位进行陈述。例如，在电影《夺宝奇兵3：圣战奇兵》中，主角印第安纳·琼斯以其标志性的外观而闻名，其中包括一条结实的裤子，显示了他的冒险精神。

Fun Fact: The World's Largest Pair of Trousers

1.15

Did you know that the world record for the largest pair of trousers was set in 2014 in Germany? The trousers measured an incredible 70 meters in length and 50 meters in width! They were created by a group of dedicated volunteers who wanted to raise awareness for a local charity. The massive trousers were so large that they had to be displayed in a field to fit properly. This record-breaking achievement shows just how important trousers have become in our culture and how they continue to inspire creativity and innovation.

你知道吗，世界上最大的裤子纪录是在2014年在德国创造的？这条裤子长达70米，宽50米！它是由一群敬业的志愿者制作的，他们希望为当地的一个慈善机构提高认识。这条巨大的裤子太大了，不得不放在田野里展示才能合适。这一破纪录的成就表明裤子在我们的文化中变得多么重要，以及它们如何继续激发创造力和创新。

1. Trousers

Casual Bottoms

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QuizSkip the quiz

What was the original purpose of the first trousers?

To make soldiers look uniform

To help when riding horses

To protect against rainstorms

To show high social status

Match the era with how trousers were viewed or used:

Ancient Central Asia

Ancient Rome

Middle Ages

Seen as strange or barbaric

Practical protection for horse riders

Became common for many social classes

Sort these events in the correct historical order:

trousers became common in the middle ages

trousers were worn by roman soldiers

romans encountered trousers

ancient central asians wore trousers

romans found trousers odd

Which groups shocked the Romans with their use of trousers?

Greeks and Egyptians

Celts and Germans

Persians and Indians

Vikings and Moors

Fill in the blank with the correct words from the text (Only one word is allowed in each blank).

The first known trousers were worn by ancient people in Central

Early trousers were made from

They looked like separate

tied at the waist.

Trousers were not common in

society.

Trousers were called

during the Renaissance.

Complete the table about important facts on trousers (There are three extra options).

Statement	Answer
First known trousers
Material used for early trousers
Breeches were worn with
Trousers became common for workers during
Trousers became popular for women after

Central Asia

Wool

Long stockings

Industrial Revolution

World War I

Northern Europe

cotton

long leggings

Who is an actress that helped popularize trousers for women?

Greta Garbo

Marilyn Monroe

Katharine Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn

Which of the following are true about breeches during the Renaissance? (Choose all the correct answers)

They were worn by women.

They were made from silk or velvet.

They covered the entire leg.

They often had embroidery or lace.

They were worn with long stockings.

Sort these trousers' purposes in the correct historical order:

practical work clothing for factories

universal everyday wear

practical riding clothing

symbol of status

10.

Which statements are TRUE about trousers? (Choose all the correct options)

The Romans invented trousers.

Trousers became a symbol of adventure in movies.

Trousers were common in ancient Roman clothing.

Trousers were first made from cotton.

Today, trousers are worn by everyone.