Lederhosen: The Once Upon a Time Popular German Attire

If you are a lively person, who enjoys the beer-drinking festivals and exploring rich cultures such as that of places in Europe, then Oktoberfest is the place for you to be with your fancy lederhosen.

The festival is famous for its delicious sausages, giant pretzels, potato pancakes, and beer-drinking competitions. Festival organizers and attendees normally wear a traditional German attire known as lederhosen.

Exploring the Origin:

Lederhosen is a part of traditional male attire in Germany. German lederhosen is not only worn at celebrations but also in daily activities. Men’s lederhosen has a long history in Germany and the rest of Europe.

Lederhosen, when translated, literally means ‘leather breeches’. They are leather suspenders and range from black to light brown in colors. Over the years, many designs have been added to the attire such as intricate European embroidery and metal snaps. Many Oktoberfest outfits have a front flap which makes washroom trips easier.

Men usually wear this traditional German clothing with a full-sleeved chequered shirt, leather shoes, and sometimes a hat. German lederhosen is one of the most popular and recognizable Bavarian culture accessories. Men’s lederhosen will forever be associated with Germany and its history. Men’s lederhosen is also worn to churches and on holidays in Germany.

Dirndl: The Female Counterpart

Besides German Outfits, you cannot discuss it without iconic folk attire for women. The German dirndl is a body-fitted outfit. It consists of a blouse with short puffy sleeves and a skirt which is supposed to be knee-length with an apron. Your apron’s bow determines your marital status. Tying it on the right means that you are either married or taken. Tying it on the left would presume that you are single. These are social labels meant for people that may be attending the festivals to socialize or find a potential significant other.

The women’s Dirndl and men’s lederhosen have a closely related history. So you will see them appearing equally in German cultural festivals.

Tracing the History

Men’s lederhosen were not always worn at festivals or holidays. The Oktoberfest men’s costumes are considered a part of the German working class and the number of contributions they have made to Germany and its rich history. 500 years back, it was widely worn in the Alps which include countries like Switzerland, Austria, and most of Northern Italy.

Before the German Costume, there was another attire worn known as the Bavarian Tracht. Tracht is defined as the traditional clothing worn in German native countries. Back then, the law did not allow locals to wear imported jewelry or clothes. Only the elite class was allowed. This is where the creation of men’s lederhosen started.

By the 1800s, farmers started using leather to make the culottes in their outfits as it was more durable compared to regular cloth, especially for the climate and conditions they worked under. Compared to the modern pants worn by carpenters today, Oktoberfest costumes also consisted of pockets used to carry knives and tools. Later on, embroideries became an added attraction.