8 Facts About Lederhosen For Oktoberfest

Not everyone liked wearing lederhosen. In the 1880s, they almost vanished! But thanks to a single Bavarian teacher and his drinking companions, the tents for Oktoberfest will be filled with shorts.  DW offers some interesting facts about lederhosen.

Lederhosen: Seven Little-Known Facts

Lederhosen are a must for the Oktoberfest. These pants are essentially required attire for men who value tradition. Do you know why lederhosen serves a practical purpose? Or the fact that they were once viewed as immoral? What a man wears beneath his leather pants, perhaps? You can find a ton of conversation starters right here to strike up a small talk in any beer tent.

1. Lederhosen belongs to Bavaria — but not only

Lederhosen always conjures up images of Bavaria. Of course, it’s true that these pants are typical not just in Germany’s largest state but also in the rest of the country. Lederhosen are also worn by other Alpine peoples like Austrians, Swiss, and South Tyroleans with ease. It is safe to say that leather shorts are a cultural trend that transcends Bavaria.

2. Much More Than Just A Fair-Weather Friend

Lederhosen can do more than most people realize, so it may be a bit over the top to call them functional. Deerskin makes the pants strong and durable while also being soft and pleasant. They shield you from the elements, keep you warm during the winter, and keep you cool during the summer.  Additionally, they are especially adept at adjusting to liquids like beer or rain. So they do serve a purpose after all.

3. Lederhosen Don’t Receive The Church’s Blessing

At least the Catholic church doesn’t benefit much from lederhosen. They are still prohibited during mass in some churches because of this. The Munich archbishop even formally labeled them “immoral” in 1913.  Nowadays, there is a lot more acceptance of lederhosen. You can even get married to them.

4. The Lederhosen Business: A Global Enterprise

All over the world, lederhosen manufacturing is booming. There are numerous lederhosen factories in Sri Lanka, India, and Hungary. Frequently, Pakistan or New Zealand are used as sources for the leather. Anyone who wants real deerskin made from local leather will need to visit a reputable traditional costume shop and pay a little bit more for it as well. Deerskin, however, will last a lifetime.

5. Beauty only goes so far. What should I put on underneath?

One of the biggest questions surrounding lederhosen is whether or not they should be worn with underpants. Sometimes there really isn’t enough place for underwear, especially not for boxer shorts with tons of cloth, even if the lederhosen should fit tightly. Today, briefs are a matter of taste, but things were very different in the years prior to the 1940s. Men typically went commando when wearing lederhosen back then.

6. Exit at lederhosen

There are strange place names everywhere, from Brandenburg to Rhineland-Palatinate. The most bizarre name of all, however, may be found in Thuringia: a community called for lederhosen. The area, which you pass on the A9 motorway as you go from Leipzig south, contains 267 residents, a kindergarten, and an industrial park. A pretty nice name, too.

7. Facts About The Right Size

German sizes are the most widely used system because the majority of lederhosen are produced there. Standard sizes start at 44 and increase in twos until 60; 44 is equivalent to a pair of jeans with a 31″ waist, and 60 is equal to 44. Accordingly, a 46 is a 32, a 48 is a 33, a 50 is a 34, and so forth.

Always select the lederhosen size that is closest to your measurements when purchasing them. This is because the leather and stitching of the lederhosen stretch the first few times you wear them, causing them to slightly expand, especially when you sit in them. If you gain weight, you can use the lacing at the back to loosen the waist (or tighten it again).

8. Fabric Of Lederhosen 

Since the word “lederhosen” simply means “leather trousers,” only genuine leather is ever used to create Bavarian lederhosen. Many of the really inexpensive “lederhosen” that you can get online are made of felt or, worse, counterfeit leather. Avoid them at all costs since they are uncomfortable and ridiculous-looking.

Deerskin, the softest and most visually attractive leather, is used to make the priciest lederhosen because it matures well. Goat-suede, however, offers a genuine but affordable entry-level alternative for those making their first purchase. Since goatskin is real leather, it has the same weight and thickness as buckskin but doesn’t have the same exquisite graining; yet, for your first pair, they’re ideal.

Wrapping it Up 

In Germany, wearing authentic lederhosen with a dirndl is a significant matter, particularly if you go to a festival in Bavaria. An insider’s guide to filling your German wardrobe is provided here.

One of the things people generally connect with Germany is the charming traditional costumes donned by men and women at Oktoberfest. Many people are unaware that they are classic Bavarian attire that is worn not just during Oktoberfest but also at other regional celebrations throughout the year, as well as during formal events like weddings and receptions.