Boothose

Boothose (boot-hose, boot hose) are over-stockings or boot liners worn in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to protect fine knitted stockings from wear.

[1] Originally a practical item, they were later made of fine linen and sported elaborate lace and embroidered boothose tops.

[1][2] By 1583 Philip Stubbs in his Anatomie of Abuses could decry "The vain excesse of botehosen" ...they must be wrought [embroidered] all ouer, from the gartering place vpward, with nedle worke, clogged with silk of all colors, with birds, foules, beasts, and antiques purtrayed all ouer in comlie sorte.

So that I haue knowen the very nedle work of some one payre of these bootehose to stand, some in .iiij.

[3]In the 17th century, linen boothose could be trimmed with lavish lace tops turned down over cuffed bucket-topped boots.