Trachtenlandschaft Osttirol

Imagine the countless traditional festivals in the region without traditional costumes! It would be as unthinkable as the Munich Oktoberfest without dirndls and lederhosen.

Traditional costumes are centuries-old cultural assets and, like all other clothing, fulfil many functions. It is not for nothing that an old saying goes: "Clothes make the man." As an expression of lifestyle, cultural identity and belonging, they have been subject to constant change over the centuries due to historical, political and social developments.

Traditional costume is therefore both tradition and renewal, and wearing it means combining history with modernity. In the past, traditional costume was worn to express differences in status and profession; today it makes all wearers of traditional costume appear equal. The diversity in their equality makes them precious and unmistakable.

The skirts of the traditional costumes, called "Kittel" in the local dialect, are rather plain and usually black, although the historical garments often feature chequered, coloured loden smocks. Although these keep you warm, they are very heavy and scratchy, which is probably why they were replaced by lighter woollen fabrics. The aprons, intended less to protect the smock than to dress up the traditional costume, offer a wide variety of materials and colours: from smooth iridescent silks and floral patterns to large checked taffeta and satin weaves.

Master dressmaker Marianna Oberdorfer and the dedicated members of the Association for Craftsmanship and Traditional Costume Culture in East Tyrol have dedicated a separate (travelling) exhibition to East Tyrolean traditional costumes. It can currently be viewed in the Sinnron cultural centre in Dölsach.

contact details

Trachtenlandschaft Osttirol
Am Land 4
9991 Dölsach

+43 676 705 20 11

trachten@trachtenlandschaft-osttirol.at

links

Osttiroler Kulturnetzwerk

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