Choosing the perfect Lederhosen for you!
- Length
There are two kinds of Lederhosen, one is called “Kniebund” which finishes below thee knee.
The other is called “Plattler” and finishes just before the knee (short)
Choosing the length of the Lederhosen depends on your preference, if you have nice calfs and want to show them off then the “Plattler” is your Lederhosen. If you have long slender legs the maybe you want to go with the “Kniebund”. It really all depends what you feel more comfortable in.
- Leather
The most important thing about a Lederhosen is the leather. You can buy cheap Lederhosen, but they will be very uncomfortable, they don’t breath, they are sticky and just ugly.
The perfect leather for a Lederhosen is chamois tanned deerskin. It feels like a second skin, breathes well and is absorbent. However these are quite expensive, about Euro 1,000 + and hard to come by.
Then there is ‘Wildbock’ (wild buck) Leather which is easy to come by and most good modern Lederhosen are made from. You can also get cowhide and goatskin Lederhosen. But if you want the more authentic one that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg, that breathes well, absorbs well and also feels like a second skin get a Wildbock Lederhosen.
- Lederhosen Colour
Lederhosen come in many different colours, varying from black to dark brown, light brown and golden brown.
- Embelishment
If you want the traditional look then don’t dare and experiment. When it comes to the embellishing of traditional Lederhosen stick with traditional motives such as calibrate or vine leaves and classic colours such as light green, moss green or yellow.
However if you want to break out of the norm and feel like embracing the New Range of 2015 do all but the above :)
- Accessorising your Lederhosen
In the knife pocked you would usually place a ‘Nicker’, a hunting knife with a handle made out chamois or deer/stag antler. However when going to the Oktoberfest these are best left at home.
The braces are not a must. If you prefer to wear you Lederhosen without the braces you can definitely add a leather belt with a nice big buckle - this is a 2015 Range must.
To finish your Plattler Lederhosen outfit you have to wear the matching Lederhosen socks, which are called “Loferl”. They only cover the calves and come in white/green, white/brown and other modern colours. Stick with the White/Green and White/Brown for the 100% authentic Bavarian look.
Completing the Lederhosen look!
- Shirt
Though the available colours of traditional shirts are seemingly endless, traditionally a white shirt is the way to go. But in today’s modern times, almost anything goes. Schnucki’s range lets you choose between a myriad of colours chequered in with white, the list is almost endless! Many of the most recent designs feature elaborate embroidery on different and unique parts of the Shirts. Lastly we recommend that the shirt you choose should be made from 100% cotton. This way it will breath better during all the chicken dancing you’re bound to do wearing it!
- Charivari
Charivari is worn on the front of your Lederhosen and consists of a strong silver or silver plated chain with and array of lucky charms. The most popular ones are silver coins, gemstones, venison teeth or very small pieces of deer antlers. It is important to always have an uneven number of charms on your Charivari, even numbers are said to bring about bad luck.
- Socks
The style of Lederhosen you’ve chosen will determine what socks should be worn. With ‘Kniebund’ Lederhosen (which finish just below the knee) wear knee high socks which can be worn pulled up or scrunched down to the ankle. With ‘Plattler’ Lederhosen you have a choice: you can wear the knee length socks in the same ways, or choose ‘Loiferl’ which are best described as ‘socks for your calves’. Schnucki’s range includes these options in natural colours or, as is the trend this season, modern colours such as green, red and blue.
- Hat
And to top it all off…. put a hat on it, because it is always good to wear a hat.
Typically, traditional hats are made from felt and finished with a variety of decorations such as hat bands, souvenir pins or a Gamsbart (tuft of chamois hair). Practical in the utmost sense, a traditional hat is also the fashionable way to complete any Man’s German outfit!
