German Dirndl
& Lederhosen History
Originally, the Dirndl was the working dress of female servants (maid's dress). Around 1870/1880, the upper classes adopted the Dirndl as a modern dress and wore it on their summer holidays. Today the wearing of the dirndl is generally regarded as a sign of national pride and tradition.
Lederhosen were simply the working trouser for the male peasantry and underwent nearly the same development as Blue Jeans in the USA.
Both Lederhosen and Dirndls exist in a great variety and differ from region to region or even by occasions. There are the winter and summer Dirndls, the Dirndl for everyday or the special ones for Sundays or festivals like Christmas. They also differ regarding how many pieces you put on. You can have Dirndls which are complete in one piece or which come with a blouse and the typical aprons. Finally, the biggest difference - the specific characteristics in every region, which is manifested through certain colors, hats and embroideries on the apron. This principle can be transferred on the Lederhosen as well. The best place for a man to express his background or membership is the embroidery on the suspenders.
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