Oktoberfest is right around the corner and you need to be ready to make the most of your celebration. But you can’t do that without knowing the culture and all the intricacies that go along with it. From the local food to the people, everything plays a crucial part in making Oktoberfest what it is, none more so than the traditional clothing of Bavaria; the Lederhosen.
Lederhosen are such a big part of Oktoberfest that the festival would be incomplete without it. Everywhere you look, you’ll see men wearing Lederhosen and women dressed in dirndl. It adds to the festivity and the celebratory environment of the event, not to mention harbors respect and appreciation for the Bavarian culture in the hearts of the tourists. So before you buy your own Lederhosen for this year’s Oktoberfest, here’s everything that you need to know about it.
What’s it look like?
Men’s Lederhosen are essentially a pair of leather trousers with a drop flap at the front. There is a pair of suspenders that go over the shoulders and the outfit reaches down below the knee or can be right at knee length (this is known as the Bundhosen). Nowadays, Lederhosen have embroidery and other decorations on them to add color and style to them but in the days of old Bavaria, the Lederhosen of peasants were simple and plain.
Where can you buy it?
Genuine Lederhosen made from cow-hide or deer skin leather (like those worn by the affluent of Old Bavaria) can be purchased from any of the dozens of shops in the Alpine region of Munich. As the site where Lederhosen first appeared, this region sells the best quality (and most expensive) Lederhosen.
However, you can also purchase high quality cow-hide leather Lederhosen for sale from online stores such as the Lederhosen Store. They will deliver Lederhosen right to your doorstep so that you don’t have to travel all the way to Germany for a decent pair.
How to clean it?
Lederhosen are made from leather which means they are relatively easy to clean by simply brushing off dust. This is one of the reasons why it was so highly preferred by the peasants of Bavaria since it was sturdy to endure the grind of daily tasks and it was easy to clean. However, the Lederhosen people wear to Oktoberfest aren’t exactly the same rough and tough garment that once existed in Old Bavaria.
Fortunately, there is a tag on every Lederhosen detailing instructions on how to clean it. Usually, it is done by spot cleaning (cleaning the garment in a particular spot instead of throwing the whole thing in the wash), or through dry cleaning. The best way, however, is to consult your dry cleaner and to take their advice before proceeding.
This was just a brief introduction of what Lederhosen are and why it’s so important for Oktoberfest. Be sure to read up on the astonishing history behind lederhosen outfits.
