Lederhosen and Kilts as a Costume.

[Ayin McFye]

So, as we all know, it's now October. Which means in thousands of places around the world, people are celebrating Octoberfest.

I'll be going to an Octoberfest this weekend, as I truly enjoy all the German beer, bratwurst, music, and dancing.

I contemplated purchasing some Lederhosen to wear to the festival, did some research and quickly learned it can be equally if not more expensive than buying kilts. (depending on your tastes)

A good pair of Lederhosen, or Bundhosen can cost between 200 and 300 dollars. An authentic set of suspenders can cost around 100-150 dollars. Shirt around 65 dollars, and hat around 50 dollars.

Basically if you want to get an authentic German outfit, you'll probably spend at least 300-400 dollars, obviously you can spend that much on kilts as well and even more, and you can do the same with German outfits.

The reason I bring all this up on a kilt forum is this. The thought crossed my mind to go to a costume shop, and drop 60-100 bucks on a Lederhosen costume to go to the festival in. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I thought "How would I feel if I saw someone in a kilt Halloween costume at a highland games?" and I quickly decided I would be upset and disgusted if someone did that.

I would love to attend an Octoberfest in fully authentic gear, however I have made the choice to not go wearing a cheap pair of leather shorts, and a $10 pair of suspenders.

10 Years ago I would have bought the lederhosen costume from the Halloween store and worn it and not even thought twice. Now I plan to set aside a little bit of cash over the next year so that I can go properly attired next year, however this year, I will either wear my kilt, like I did last year, or just go wearing p#nts.

The point to all of this, is thru the years here on XMarks, I have grown and learned that various pieces of clothing around the world are not costumes, and should not be treated as such. You can feel free to disagree with me, because that is your right, but I will choose to treat other cultures attire with the kind of respect that I hope to receive from them.

Cheers!

[Panache]

Welcome to a larger and far nicer world Ayin!

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[jeremy j starche]

I understand what you mean brother.

I have far more German that Scots blood in me and carry a German sirname to boot. I've long looked at lederhosen, wanting to own a complete and proper outfit.

Unfortunately, around here there is little difference between the "Irish Fest" the "Italian Fest" and the "October Fest." The same people show up, 90% of the food is from the same venders. Only the music changes.

Heck, the only people I know who speak German are either first generation immigrants or Amish.

[Larry124]

...Unfortunately, around here there is little difference between the "Irish Fest" the "Italian Fest" and the "October Fest." The same people show up, 90% of the food is from the same venders. Only the music changes.

Heck, the only people I know who speak German are either first generation immigrants or Amish.

I like that. Is it really "unfortunate"? These affairs are festivals after all.

fes•ti•val n.
1. An occasion for feasting or celebration, especially a day or time of religious significance that recurs at regular intervals.
2. An often regularly recurring program of cultural performances, exhibitions, or competitions.
3. Revelry; conviviality.
[From Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin.]

[jeremy j starche]

I like that. Is it really "unfortunate"? These affairs are festivals after all.

I believe that it is unfortunate. If we want to hold a festival [3. Revelry; conviviality.], we can hold those at any time and for any reason.

Celebrate anything -- like every Friday during the summer we have "Rocking on the River" known to the locals as "Drunk on the River."

The purpose: Listen to loud music and get drunk.

But with "themed" festivals [2. An often regularly recurring program of cultural performances, exhibitions, or competitions.] then I really believe there should be more ... well ... culture.

Which takes me back to wanting lederhosen.

At the Irish Fest, a number of people wear kilts with varying degrees of good taste and digression.

At the German Fest, I've only seen lederhosen once and the man wearing them looked GOOD.

M'Lady, born in Northern Italy, tells me that Italy doesn't really have any "national dress" and historically hasn't really been a nation. I take her word for it since her knowledge of that area is much better than mine.

[Galician]

I too have a Germanic surname, so I attended the Steuben Day Parade and celebration here in NYC a few weeks ago, kilted, as I did last year. Many of the marchers were bands come over from Germany, so there was LOTS of Trachten there that day!

After a stay in Bavaria many years ago, I have sometimes considered getting lederhosen. But I find the kilt soooo much more comfortable!


Btw, this girl did try to find out what was under my kilt



How's this for a discussion on feathers?

[Arizona Scot]

Good on ya Kris, sounds like an adult decision, be careful you might be on your way to being respectable.

[Ayin McFye]

Good on ya Kris, sounds like an adult decision, be careful you might be on your way to being respectable.

Hey! Enough of that talk. I am not.

[Dall_Piobaire]

When I saw this post, I really thought to myself, "self" I thought,"enough is enough!!!" Then I read what you had to say and was so relieved!

int:

It was, at one time, simply a utilitarian article of clothing, worn by many not always held in the greatest esteem. Then it became a fad because of the fancy of a Queen, and it was a "must do" If I am not mistaken it became all the rage with many of the gentry who were swallowing up Scottish lands for their own personal vacation areas. But all that has passed, and, in my opinion, and my opinion only mileage may vary, it is now a symbol of a great country. Ask anyone, you mention kilt, and thoughts of Alba are not far behind. It's just the way it is!

I am not saying it can't be worn in contemporary ways, even skydiving, or chinking oil, or pumping gas, but I feel it should be worn properly and with the respect that the spirit of the thing carries.

Again, I must say, this applies only to me, and how I see things, my opinion extends only to the end of my fingertips!

Standing applause Ayin, well said!

Scott

[walkerk]

Well, Ayin, you can certainly go dressed as a modern German at Oktoberfest in München: wear Levis. Good on you for not wearing a costume. No telling what would have been said about pictures taken of you in such a get-up and posted over on that Umlaut-marks-the-kraut discussion forum (under "Lederhosen do's and don'ts.") Will look forward to pictures of your outfit next year. Remember - you'll still need two to five years to get the proper sheen on the leather.