plus-fours
Definition
Noun (plural in form): - A type of long, loose trousers: "plus-fours" are a style of men's trousers that extend about four inches below the knee and are gathered at the hem, traditionally worn for sports such as golf, cycling, or shooting. The name derives from the extra length (four inches) beyond the standard knickerbocker length.
Usage Examples
- (Traditional golf trousers with extra length below the knee.)
- (Loose, knee-length trousers associated with early 20th-century outdoor activities.)
Advanced Usage
- "plus-fours" as a cultural marker: The garment is strongly associated with the 1920s and 1930s, particularly in British and American contexts, and often evokes a sense of nostalgic, aristocratic leisure.
- The actor's costume for the period drama included authentic plus-fours and argyle socks. (The trousers helped establish the historical setting.)
Variants and Related Words
- Knickerbockers (n): a similar style of loose trousers gathered at the knee, but without the specific four-inch extension.
- Children wore knickerbockers for play in the early 1900s. (A broader category of knee-length trousers.)
- Plus-four (adj): used as a modifier to describe clothing or styles related to these trousers.
- The plus-four style was popular among golfers. (Relating to the specific trouser design.)
Synonyms
- Golf trousers: a modern term for trousers designed for golf, though often not as loose.
- Breeches: short trousers fastened at the knee, similar in silhouette but typically tighter.
Related Idioms
- "Dressed in plus-fours": used figuratively to describe someone as old-fashioned or deliberately retro in style.
- His plus-fours and monocle made him look like a character from a bygone era. (Emphasizing an outdated or eccentric appearance.)