A codpiece (from Middle English cod ' scrotum ') is a triangular piece that attached to the front of men's hose, covering the fly. It may be held in place by ties or buttons.

Feb 4, 2024 · In Henry VIII's most famous portrait, he's dripping with furs, gold, and rubies – but it's his codpiece that really commands attention (Credit: Alamy)

Apr 1, 2011 · The codpiece began as a simple piece of fabric that would be tied down, really just an extra piece of linen. However, as time wore on the codpiece became more elaborate and decorative, longer and padded.

May 23, 2020 · Early in the eighteenth century, visitors to the Tower of London could gaze upon a painted wooden statue of Henry VIII, the English king who’d died some two hundred years before.

Apr 30, 2015 · From these practical beginnings, the codpiece (‘cod’ was slang for scrotum) became a fashion item in its own right. In the 15th century men’s dress comprised doublet or tunic (worn on the top half of the body), hose (bottom half) with a mantle or cloak (worn over the outfit).

Aug 16, 2018 · Originally created as the join between the two hoses at the groin, the codpiece eventually became an ornate piece of male dress in the 16th century.

Feb 20, 2025 · codpiece, pouchlike addition to men’s long hose, located at the crotch, popular in Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. It came into fashion with hose that were like tights and continued to be worn with breeches.

Apr 8, 2020 · To us, a codpiece looks outrageous, over-the-top, rearingly priapic, almost ridiculous in its claims. And yet it was seldom even remarked upon or written about at the time.

It is basically a flapping cover or any pouch kind of structure that is attached to the front part of the men’s trousers and hence covers the male genitalia. It is attached with the help of string ties, folds, or buttons. The codpiece was a 16th-century fashion accessory that was worn by men.

Dec 13, 2019 · From Thom Browne’s runways to a new book, this strange assertion of delusional manhood keeps cropping up in art and fashion. Courtesy of David Zwirner. There really is no delicate way to open a...