Lederhosen and dirndls are traditional Bavarian outfits. They have a rich history and a very rich culture, making them more than just clothes. This blog explores some of the weird but exciting traditions related to German lederhosen and dirndls to understand them better.
What are lederhosen and Dirndls?
Lederhosen men and dirndls are traditional Bavarian outfits that came into existence sometime in the mid-18th century and gained popularity after the fame of Oktoberfest. The attires were initially meant for the poor and the working-class population but soon gained the approval of the rich and the royal.
Lederhosen and dirndls have advanced a lot over the years. However, the locals still prefer the old versions as they are inexpensive, readily available, and comfortable.
Weird traditions Related to Lederhosen and Dirndls:
Here are some great traditions related to the traditional Bavarian outfits:
The Older, The Better:
Believe it or not,men’s lederhosen are better if they are older. The traditional way is to keep your attire spick and span for as long as possible and make the most out of it.
The age of lederhosen also vouches for its quality. Lederhosen that lasts longer is made from better quality leather (sourced from deer, camel, or cows)and is regarded as authentic lederhosen. It also tells how careful and concerned the owner is about their outfit.
More Hair on the Hat, More Money in the Purse:
Bavarians wear hats that have hair on them. These hats are called, Tirolerhüte. These hats are made from goatskin and have the hair still attached to them. The prices of Tirolerhüte may vary based on one thing or another, but they sure are extremely expensive.
In Bavaria, it is believed that one who wears a woolly hat has a heavy wallet. This may be a reasonable assumption considering the prices of authentic Tirolerhüte.
Look Out for Fake Patterns:
Lederhosen has embroidery on them, consisting of Bavarian patterns and designs only. These patterns include flowers like Edelweiss and intricate needle designs. Some animals like deer and lions are also included.
The quality of embroidery determines the quality of the lederhosen. If the patterns are not Bavarian or the stitches are not clean, you do not get the approval of the lederhosen board.
The Knot of the Apron:
An apron is worn over the skirt of the dirndl. This apron can be made from any material but is preferred to be of the same material as the dress.
There are some weird traditions related to the knot of the apron.
Knot to the left:
If you tie the knot of your apron to the left side, you will be considered single and ready to be approached.
Knot to the Right:
A knot on the right side means that the woman is either married or in a relationship; hence, she is not open to dating at the moment.
Knot in the Middle:
This means that you do not want to disclose your relationship status.
Knot in the Back Center:
A knot in the back center means that the woman is a widow, a waitress, or an underaged girl.
Hair Accessories:
Accessories are always needed, whether it be any outfit. They bring the whole look together and let you look spik and span. However, accessories are not that simple when it comes to dirndls.
Accessories in the Bavarian attire are used to make a point symbolize something. For example, if someone is wearing a JUNGFERNKRANZ (a Bavarian hair ornament), they are single and looking to date. On the other hand, a Karnl (small crown) symbolizes a married woman.
If you do not want to get into this complicated situation, wear anything with flowers, real flowers will also do.
Material of Dirndl:
The material used to make a dirndl says a lot about the owner. High-quality dirndls are made from cotton. They are soft and have a little vibrant shine to them. In contrast, low-quality dirndls have high amounts of polyester and look fake.
Some modern and high fashion dirndls also use silk and satin as material. They are undoubtedly exquisite materials, but they are neither traditionally acclaimed nor accepted.
Conclusion:
So, these were some of the weird traditions related to lederhosen and dirndls. Both these attires have a rich history and a huge culture, which makes them unique and exotic. We hope the blog seemed interesting to you and helped you learn something.
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