Trousers (or pants in Canada, South Africa, and the U.S., and sometimes called slacks or breeches — often pronounced n more old-fashioned usage) are an item of clothing worn on the lower part of the body, covering both legs separately (rather than with cloth stretching across both as in skirts and dresses). Historically, as for the West, trousers have been the standard lower-body clothing item for males since the 16th century; by the late 20th century, they had become extremely prevalent for females as well. Trousers are worn at the hips or waist, and may be held up by their own fastenings, a belt, or suspenders (braces). Leggings are form-fitting trousers of a clingy material, often knitted cotton and lycra.
Men's trousers
Trousers also trace their ancestry to the individual hose worn by men in the 15th century (which is why trousers are plural and not singular). The hose were easy to make and fastened to a doublet at the top with ties called "points", but as time went by, the two hose were joined, first in the back then across the front, but still leaving a large opening for sanitary functions.
Men's pleated slacks (left) and "English drape" trousers (right), 1937, both with fly-front and cuffsTurn-ups or cuffs (the bottom of the trouser leg folded up) may or may not be present
Pleats: vertical folds in the front for a looser fit
Waist band: may be elasticized
Fly: This allows easier dressing and, for men, urination without undressing. The fly may further be distinguished by the closure mechanism: zipper or buttons. There may not be a fly. Trousers wide enough to put on and taking off without having a fly or opening at the side, have either an elastic or drawstring waist or are kept in place with a belt or suspenders.
Leg shape: The trouser legs may be straight, tapered to be snug around the ankles, or widen at the ankles (Boot cut). The bottom may be flared, in which case the trousers can be called "bell-bottoms"
Beltloops: These may or may not be present to support a belt which may be used to adjust the tightness in the waist, and for decoration. Men can use suspenders/braces to support trousers that are loose in the waist (though these are largely out of favor).