This week's report - May 24, 2026

Today, the Bulletin offers a trunk hose treatise. Gentlemen, pray reveal those legs!

Anonymous portrait of Hercule-François, duke of Alençon

These short, puffed breeches were one of the emblematic pieces of Renaissance menswear. At the time, a distinction was made between the trunk hose, which covered the hips and thighs, and the lower hose, which covered the rest of the leg.

Case in point with Charles IX painted by François Clouet (1550-1574)

Attached at the waist and worn with stockings, trunk hose added volume to the silhouette and contributed to the theatrical air of ceremonial dress.

Don Juan of Austria, anonymous painter

For the most coquettish among them — specifically, the close circle of King Henry III — the padding was taken to extremes, so much so that they were mocked more than once by their contemporaries.

Jean-Louis de Nogaret de la Valette, duke of Épernon

Since none of the boys around us wished to adopt the piece, we transferred it to the women’s wardrobe.

Super Sunday,

Bourgine
15 rue Racine à Paris
Lundi-Samedi, 11h-19h
Dimanche, 13h-19h