Oh, boy. I swear I do not collect this stuff or make it up!!! I really don't!
Some years ago, I bought a yearbook called By og Byd. The edition I purchased was for 1958-59 and was released by Norwegian museums of the times. A lot of really odd, eclectic stuff is in these books. I was researching Norwegian horse harness, learned there was a wonderful article about harness in this particular edition of By og Byd, and bought it off eBay.
Little did I know that I would also find this unusual tidbit:
Forhyse or Venakot:
"...a kind of underwear for men, hitherto unregistered in Scandinavia. The clothing of Norwegian men, working cold weather in forests, mountains, or at sea included a kind of suspensor to protect the [nether regions]. It was shaped like a little bag, made of wool, woven or knitted, with two strings to be strapped around the waist.... [and was] ...worn under ordinary trousers...
"...found among the gifts made by the peasant girl to be presented to the boy whom she kept company, or to whom she was engaged.... The making of the suspensor, the presenting of it, or the mere suggestion of making it as a gift, implied earnest and silent questions as to the relation between the young couple. ...the attitude of the maker of the gift, and of the receiver of it, could give decisive information as to the possible relation of the boy and the girl in important questions, otherwise not touched upon..."
Apparently some of these suspensors were plain and functional articles of clothing. Others were highly decorated and enhanced (pun intended) to the point that they most likely were never worn.
edit: Can you imagine the grannies and aunties gossiping?