Since history knows, every culture in the world has traditions and values. These traditions and values have formed and defined distinctions between men and women. Indian men wear turbans, women wear sarees. Irish men wear checkered skirts while women wear tracht-like dresses. Similarly, Bavarian men wear traditional lederhosen while women wear dirndl.

Lederhosen

Traditional Lederhosen came about in the late 18th century inspired by the french fashion of culottes. Leather had been proven to become a useful clothing material and Europe for countryside men who worked under extreme cold terrains. Putting one and one together,

the Bavarians came up with leather pants which were discovered to be called lederhosen.

Types

This lederhosen came in two types: a full-length pant with suspenders called bundhosen and another shortened version that ended below the knees known as lederhosen.

Farmers living in the Alps and countryside would commonly wear this attire as it proved to be useful in their day-to-day convenience. The leather made it easier to withstand cold temperatures while also protecting their clothes from any dirt and stains that their work might cause.

Purpose

The leather breeches were made of pure leather allowing for the comfort of farmers. They were very expensive to make, so were passed on from generation to generation.

Eventually, due to high demand and the industrial revolution, lederhosen was mass-manufactured and its quality deteriorated with the decreasing price tag on them. This was a win and loss situation as they were easier to purchase, however with the loss in quality.

Tourism

As a tourist touring Germany, you can find many traditional boutiques in Munich and Berlin which offer lederhosen. They are available in a variety of colors and designs. The embroideries on the leather breeches make them look more attractive and modern in today’s fashion.

Latest Updates

If you are attending Oktoberfest, you will come to know that there is an informal understanding of lederhosen being the official dress code for men during the event. Not only does it make them look more macho and masculine, but it also protects their clothes and body from potential drink spills during the beer drinking festival.

Due to this convenience, now you can find lederhosen women too.

It’s a Good Thing

Not only does this help include women in the beer drinking festival, but it promotes to decrease in the assumed roles of gender has history had set for us hundreds of years ago. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as due to today’s global issues of providing more inclusion for other genders, this promotes and helps the cause. Festival as much as men do throughout the whole event. This helps include women in more exciting competitions and games during the event. It also attracts more international tourists.

Enjoy!

Lederhosen women can be found enjoying the festival as much as the rest of the men are, promoting social inclusion and the cultural diversity offered by Germany.