During the Renaissance, upper class men were obsessed with their codpieces, which were pockets of fabric worn over the crotch. These codpieces were often padded and adorned with sumptuous fabrics, jewels, and bows. Initially, codpieces were made to protect knights’ fertility on the battlefield, but they soon became a solution for the revealing fashion trend of short doublets and hose. The exaggerated size and attention drawn to the codpiece symbolized virility and power. However, by the late 16th Century, the codpiece fell out of fashion, and miniature versions emerged. Today, codpieces are rare, but they have made a comeback in fashion and historical television series.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240202-what-happened-to-the-codpiece