Casgliadau Arlein

Yellow silk breeches, about 1725. With gold braid detail around leg openings, button fly and fall-front flap. Probably worn by Sir William Morgan of Tredegar House, Newport.

Front and lower section of back made from yellow tabby-woven silk. Upper section of back is made from undyed,tabby-woven, glazed cotton. A width of the same fabric is used all along the waist. Lining made from twill-woven cotton with a raised nap. Strap-and-buckle fastening at centre back waist. Strap is made from yellow glazed cotton and buckle has two prongs and is made from steel. Buckle is attached by a T-bar which is fed through a button hole made in the strap; the button hole has subsequently been stitched up to prevent the buckle from sliding out. High waist at back where the slit is filled with a glazed cotton gusset; upper edges of gusset are pinked. Two lace holes on either side to adjust waist. Four white bone buttons around waist; at these points, the breeches are reinforced with an interlining. Fly is closed with three glazed cotton covered buttons. The upper edge of the fall front flap has two button holes which fasten onto smaller glazed cotton covered buttons. c. 18cm long slit at lower outer leg, closed with four buttons covered with metal thread braid. The buttonholes have a facing of undyed glazed cotton. A further strip of glazed cotton is lining the lower leg cuff. Two additional hook and eye fastenings at lower edge. Along the leg slit, the selvage of the yellow silk is visible. It consists of white and fine blue stripes. 6cm wide braid trim at lower edge made from woven metal thread, with purl and sequin elements. The braid has a floral design. A 1 x 3cm strip of yellow silk covered in loose-weave muslin fabric has been stitched vertically onto the metal braid of both legs (to the rear of the side slit).