Over the centuries, as men stopped riding horses in favour of motorcycles, chaps started to become associated with a new type of masculinity - less the good old-fashioned Western ‘hero’, more outlaw motorcycle clubs who, according to the US Department of Justice, were using their societies as “conduits for criminal enterprises”. As Mexican cowboys moved further north into what is now the United States and Canada, further styling changes were made - the addition of fringing, for example, inspired by the clothing of local Native American tribes, or the development of bell-bottom and straight leg variants, depending on the local climate. Over time, the design was adapted to fit to the wearer’s body itself, held together by a belt and leaving the groin area exposed for ease of movement.
To protect their clothing while working, these cattle herders would have two pieces of leather attached to their horses’ saddles that draped over their legs. Chaperreras were originally worn by cattle herders in Mexico, with the name coming from the local chaparral - low-growing, bristly brush that would damage trouser legs.
