Lederhosen parade in the Ostalbkreis: Who will be the big winner?

Lederhosen parade in the Ostalbkreis: Who will be the big winner?

On July 4, 2025, an eagerly awaited countdown party took place in the Ostalbkreis, where everything revolved around one of the most striking traditional costumes in the Alpine region: the lederhosen. In a colorful presentation, men appeared in a variety of leather pants designed in both traditional and modern designs. The color palette ranged from classic gray to warm brown. Some participants wore impressively embroidered versions, which made the competition to choose the most beautiful leather pants even more exciting. This event was a highlight for traditional costume lovers and created a lively atmosphere.

The list of participants was long and varied. The applicants included Selina, Thomas, and Josef, followed by Marina, Sabrina, Simone and Michaela. Benedikt, Niklas as well as Carsten and Robin also came to present their traditional costumes. What was particularly remarkable was the large number of participants, ranging from Andi, André, Matze and Patrick to Felix, Simon, Marcel, Lia and Natalie. There were over 70 participants in total who took up the challenge and showed off their signature lederhosen.

The meaning of the costume

Traditional costume has deep roots in Alpine culture. The term itself comes from the old German word “Draht(a)”. This not only describes the woodcutter's work clothes, but also the representative clothing of the upper class. While the dirndl for women was often made of inexpensive material such as wool or linen, men traditionally wore lederhosen, which were particularly practical for woodwork and hunting but were reserved for the nobility for a long time. It was only in the course of the 19th century that traditional costume found its way into the wardrobe of the middle class, especially during the popular summer holidays. A famous wearer of these costumes was Emperor Franz Josef I, who was known for his preference for lederhosen and for whom a special color, “old black,” was created.

The fascination with traditional clothing shows that lederhosen are much more than just a traditional costume; they connect people with their cultural identity and history. Events like the Countdown Party are therefore not just competitions, but also celebrations of tradition and communal heritage that is passed down through generations. In the Ostalbkreis, the meaning of traditional costume is kept alive in an impressive way, which will also inspire future generations to preserve these valuable traditions.