In the early 16th century, codpieces became very popular, but were objects of parody and derision by the end of it. What contributed to the rise and fall of this bizarre fashion trend? | AskHistorians Archive Observer

In the early 16th century, codpieces became very popular, but were objects of parody and derision by the end of it. What contributed to the rise and fall of this bizarre fashion trend?

by artfulorpheus

The codpiece is one of the most baffling trends in fashion history to me. Its emphasis on masculinity and projection seems bizarre, not to mention impractical. How did these become an object of high fashion but burn out into ridicule shortly afterwards?

Searocksandtrees

Hi, hopefully someone can answer this more fully, but you may be interested in these

/u/kittydentures on the rise and fall of codpieces wrt changing fashion and resulting developments in clothing construction in Medieval tight pants, how did they make them so tight, are they easy to wear?
/u/Stone_tigris put forward an alternative reason for their popularity in King Henry the 8th's armor famously has an exaggerated cod piece. Was any purpose for this feature recorded at the time. What would have been the popular reaction to this.