Lederhosen, a term commonly used in English, refers to the traditional leather breeches worn by men in Austria, Bavaria (specifically Upper Bavaria), and South Tyrol. The German term “Trachten Lederhose” is often used to distinguish these traditional garments from other types of leather pants.
Leather pants are not unique to the Austro-Bavarian region. The French, for example, have leather culottes, which resemble lederhosen. What sets Austro-Bavarian lederhosen apart from other European leather pants is their distinctive style, ornate stitching, characteristic antler buttons, and, most notably, their length.
While some lederhosen extend past the knee, this style was typically reserved for special occasions. The everyday lederhosen worn in the Austrian and Bavarian Alps are cut above the knee, allowing for greater mobility, especially in the rugged terrain of the Eastern Alps. Although the exact origin of this shorter cut is unknown, the first written reference to its use dates back to 1835, when August Lewald wrote about his travels through Tuxertal, Tyrol, Austria.
Although lederhosen remained popular in the heart of the Eastern Alps, their everyday use declined in the outer regions. In the Upper Bavarian town of Bayrischzell, school teacher Joseph Vogl took it upon himself to preserve this traditional alpine attire. In 1883, he founded the Association for the Preservation of the National Costume in the Leitzach Valley and in Bayrischzell. This association became the model for other Trachtenvereine (traditional costume clubs), which spread across the outer edges of the Eastern Alps, from Munich to Salzburg, and even to Vienna, the capital of Austria.
In Bavaria, the ruling class supported efforts to preserve traditional clothing and promote a distinct Bavarian identity. King Ludwig II famously encouraged the establishment of Trachtenvereine, while King Ludwig III wore lederhosen on trips to the Alps to show support for their preservation.
While Austria has Trachtenvereine, certain towns deep in the Alps, like Bad Aussee, do not have preservation clubs because lederhosen continue to be part of everyday dress. Similar to Bavaria, the Austrian ruling class would wear lederhosen during trips to the Alps, not to show support for tradition but to blend in with the locals. This enduring appeal of lederhosen demonstrates its cultural significance in both regions.
