Tracht

Although the word is most often associated with Bavarian, Austrian, South Tyrolean and Trentino garments, including lederhosen and dirndls, many other German-speaking peoples have them, as did the former Danube Swabian populations of Central Europe.

[1] "Tracht" is commonly used to refer to the manner of dress associated with a particular ethnic group (Volkstracht), social class, or occupation (Arbeitstracht).

These include the Dachauer Tracht, the Priener hat or the more recently arisen Herrschinger Hosenträger (braces / suspenders).

Costumes worn by professional guilds, habits of religious orders, deaconesses, and the historical garment of some occupational groups (e.g. nurses) are also called "Tracht".

The idea of an approved folk costume dates back to the 18th century, and was promoted by the Swedish king Gustav III.

[3] At the beginning of the 19th century, enthusiasm for the different costumes of the rural population developed at the royal courts of Bavaria and Austria.

[4] The interest in traditional costume was part of a wider cultural response to the humiliations suffered through the repeated foreign invasions during the Napoleonic Wars.

[5] The first extensive description of traditional tracht in the different regions was given by the Bavarian official Joseph von Hazzi (1768–1845).

A parade of traditional costumes took place in 1835 at Oktoberfest, to celebrate the silver wedding anniversary of King Ludwig I of Bavaria and Queen Therese.

Under his successor Maximilian II, traditional costumes were officially recognised as clothing suitable for wearing at the royal court.