Bavarians brought leather into fashions centuries ago. Even today, they are worn and used by the bavarian community in their daily activities. You can see farmers wearing pants on their daily chores or locals and tourists pairing them when attending German culture festivals.

Origination

Bunhosen originated in the late 18th century. Leather was discovered as a great material for protection from dirt while leather culottes were starting to become a thing in Italy. Soon came about the invention of leather pants, also known as bundhosen.

Bundhosen

Bunhosen is leather pants that were commonly worn by farmers during the late 18th century. They kept farmers warm during harsh winters and protected their skin and clothes from dirt and stains while working.

Popularity

They grew in fashion when European royalty started wearing them for outdoor activities. Not only did it appeal to the common folk but other royal families, as well as noblemen, started wearing leather breeches. This brought a commonality between the common people and the elite.

Lederhosen

The authentic lederhosen was created after a few years. Lederhosen differs from bundhosen in length. They are known as leather breeches which end right below the knee and were used by farmers or workers who required more mobility such as bending and kneeling while working.

Soon other features such as embroidery and accessories were also added to spark more flavor to the pants. The complete look consisted of a shirt or blouse, authentic lederhosen, leather boots, and a leather hat.

The invention of Female German Clothes

A few years after the launch of authentic lederhosen, the dirndl was in fashion. They were similar to a dress, except they were invented for working purposes and assisted women in their daily chores or duties at work.

Dirndl

The dirndl was originally worn by female servants serving royalty in Austria. The fashion soon spread to other countries and was adopted by the growing working class of women.

Components

The dirndl consists of a blouse, paired with a skirt and covered with an apron. The position of knotting to the front, back, or side would determine the marital status of women. The dress would sometimes consist of specific colors or symbols related to a specific clan or tribe. This would help travelers identify clans when traveling from place to place.

Dirndl comes in many colors such as shades of blue, grey, and brown. Blue shades were usually preserved for more formal events such as weddings or a birthday.

Where to buy

You can find authentic lederhosen, bundhosen, or dirndl at any local boutique in Munich, Germany. These outfits are popularly worn by tourists attending German festivities such as Oktoberfest. Not only does help us understand the Bavarian culture more, but it also promotes a healthy relationship between locals and tourists.