Lederhosen and Dirndlgewand 

 

Both "Lederhosen" and "Dirndlgewand" are known as "Tracht", which is the traditional german costume mostly worn

in Bavaria and Austria. They originated as the garb of the working peasantry from the Alpine regions of Bavaria

and Austria in the 18th century. The men wore the lederhosen, which were sturdy and held up to the rigorous work of

the time and the females wore the dirndln, which originated as maid's dresses. 

 

Ironically the Austrian upperclass adopted the Tracht as high fashion in the 1870's.

 

                                               Nowadays the dirndl is so fashionable again that it has become an everyday part of men                                                and women's wardrobe for all ages. It is espeically popular among the younger women

                                               at the time of the Oktoberfest or similar town festivals.

 

                                               In Bavarian, Dirndl originally referred to a young woman or a girl and Dirndlgewand to

                                               the dress. But now one refers to the dress as a 'dirndl' as well.

 

I                                              It is said that the placement of the knot on the apron is indicator of the woman's marital                                                  status:

 

• a knot tied on the woman's left side indicating that she is single;

• a knot tied on the right meaning that she is married,

• engaged or otherwise 'taken';

• a knot tied in the front means that she is a virgin, and

• a knot tied at th back showing that the woman is widowed.