Bavarian Cultural Outfits

Lederhosen

Lederhosen outfits are all that you’re going to see if you walk into a Bavarian party. Bavarian culture plays a high role in Germany’s culture and heritage. Having consisted of most of modern Germany, Bavaria invented this outfit to cater to their working needs and conditions. This outfit not only plays a cultural role but also served to make the lives of thousands of Bavarian and European farmer’s life easier.

Composition

Lederhosen outfits are made of synthetic leather. It comes in many shades of brown, grey, and blue. Later on, the embroidery was also added to make the outfit more specific to a clan. The embroidery and embellishment on the leather breeches would make it easier for passers-by to determine the clan of the person wearing it.

History

Lederhosen outfits first came into being in the 19th century inspired by the Italian cute lots and leather pants. Leather made it easier to withstand shivering temperatures. It was also much easier to clean dirt and dust off leather compared to cloth or wool. Not to mention the most convent feature- the weight of leather.

Popularity

Slowly the outfit gained popularity and in one instant, was worn by french and dutch royalty for outdoor activities. Not only did this spark a trend in these leather breeches, but they became a fashion statement that was going to stay for centuries. More and more, you could see royalty and the nobility accepting the outfit and using it for their leisure achieves. This resulted in a better quality of leather and hence, a cheaper price for the outfit.

Dirndl

Before lederhosen came to be, tracts were already being worn by the Austrian servants in the late 18th century. Adapted by the Bavarians, this tracht turned into what we came to call the German dirndl.

History

The German dirndl came to vary the traditional outfit in many ways, Firstly, it was made for everyday wear. You could spend the day in the fields or at the market, either way, it would serve its purpose.

Composition

The dirndl consisted of a blouse, a skirt and an apron on top of it all. The blouse is usually made of cotton or on a more Noble level, can be seen made out of silk. The skirt is usually in a neutral base color to support the color of the apron. Blue aprons were often worn during celebratory occasions.

The position of the knotting on the apron describes the marital status of the woman wearing it. Knotting to the front usually meant that a woman was available while knotting on the back would mean that the woman had been widowed or left.

Popularity

The German dirndl played a significant role as the national dress for females in Bavaria. It is still popularly worn at cultural festivals such as Oktoberfest or spring festivals.