lederhosen4u

The Lederhosen was worn by woodsmen and country folk in Bavaria and Austria, when they first came out in the 1830's. It was considered clothing for rural people.

 

THE LEDERHOSEN (leather pants) means to a Bavarian or Austrian the same as a Kilt to a Scotsman, but they are not worn as everyday wear. But many people in those countries still feel that the Lederhosen is a special sign of their Alpine citizenship and a proof of their cultural heritage.

 

Owning a pair of Lederhosen still is a sentimental tradition of descendants of Austrian, Swiss and Bavarians throughout the entire world. Like other Europeans, people from the Alpine regions emigrated to North America. They took with them not only the German language and their Alpine customs and songs but they also carried with them their wear.

 

In the Alps and also overseas people wear the Lederhosen for special occasions like “Oktoberfest”, “Kirchweih”, “Maitanz”, “Volksfest”, “Beerfest” or “Fronleichnam”. It is a sign showing everybody that the owner of Lederhosen belongs to the 'Alpine Tribe'.

 

August 25, 1883 was the date to go down in Bavarian and Lederhosen history. Five Bavarian companions from Bayrischzell (Bavarian Forrest) agreed to custom make Lederhosen and on the very next Sunday proceeded to Miesbach together to be fitted for Upper Bavarian Lederhosen by the master leatherworker Dilger.

 

From that day on wearing Lederhosen gave people a new pride, an appreciation of their own style of dress. It was only after World War I, however, when countless tourists donned their new acquisition not only in the holiday villages but also in town that lederhosen achieved a general breakthrough.

After World War II, parents were glad when they could put their children into practical leather trousers. What was first a garment for fourteen-year olds was gradually taken over by pre-school children. Photographs in the 'leather pants pose' retain a memory of childhood, if only to document this important stage for the family album. In all other fields of life leather trousers have had to yield to the onslaught of blue jeans.

However, Lederhosen fans can take consolation in the fact that jeans are the invention of a Bavarian, Levi Strauss, who emigrated to San Francisco. This is by no means the entire history of Lederhosen.