> But with cross-cultural perspective, would consider the trousers (often in the form of "pajamas") worn by women in China and southeast Asia developed in cultures where peasant women certainly did not have opportunity to ride horses
The article notes that Qin warriors (as in the scary red-faced general Guan Di, terracotta warriors and the unification of China) had an advantage over the other kingdoms as they had trousers. And male fashion is often driven led by the military.
eHow (yeah, worse than wikipedia) says Chinese peasants originally wore one-piece dresses / sacks. Along the River During the Qingming Festival (1085-1145 painting) certainly shows lots of trousers, but that's almost 1000 years after the Qin dynasty.
Pajamas came to the UK via India and the Middle East; but that was well after the time period in which trousers became popular. The Qin dynasty and adoption of cavalry by the Romans is a really long time ago.
The article notes that Qin warriors (as in the scary red-faced general Guan Di, terracotta warriors and the unification of China) had an advantage over the other kingdoms as they had trousers. And male fashion is often driven led by the military.
eHow (yeah, worse than wikipedia) says Chinese peasants originally wore one-piece dresses / sacks. Along the River During the Qingming Festival (1085-1145 painting) certainly shows lots of trousers, but that's almost 1000 years after the Qin dynasty.
Pajamas came to the UK via India and the Middle East; but that was well after the time period in which trousers became popular. The Qin dynasty and adoption of cavalry by the Romans is a really long time ago.