Where to Buy Lederhosen in Munich

Want to celebrate Munich's Oktoberfest in style? Then get yourself the proper outfit, generally known as tracht or traditional Bavarian wear.

Where once only the proudest of Bavarians would don this clothing for the fest, since the 1990s tourists and other Germans have taken part in the fun. Most people are already familiar with the leather pants known as lederhosen, but there are also charming Bavarian dresses known as a dirndl.

There are a range of qualities and price points and Munich offers all the options and best places to shop for lederhosen. If you are worried you will stand out at the tents, note that up to 75% of festival goers will be dressed in some form of tracht. 

Best Brands of Lederhosen

Styles and prices of trachten vary widely; you can get a sassy, short dirndl for as little as 40 euros or a richly embroidered custom-made dress for hundreds.

Either way, it's a fun way to be part of the festivities, but price and brand will factor into the longevity of your outfit. If you plan to wear your tracht several times, it is worth the investment to get a decent one. After all, many Bavarians swear by “lederhosen for life” — investing in one quality pair to see them through the festivals year after year. And there is no better German souvenir.

If you are looking for quality lederhosen, note that true lederhosen are only made of goatskin or the more upscale deerskin. The best models are still hand-made and offer traditional details like buttons made out of antler, but you can even find international designers dipping into tracht like Tommy Hilfiger.

Lederhosen come either long or short, and usually black, brown, or grey. Suspenders may be in a "V" or "H"-style featuring a fancifully embroidered cross piece (stegträger). The long variety may be worn without suspenders. Common accessories include a vest or janker (jacket), knitted socks, and a jaunty felt hat known as a gamsbart, complete with feather.

Some of the best brands for lederhosen include:

• Stockerpoint: This top-of-the-line manufacturer still produces traditional hand-made lederhosen with techniques like hand buffing and tanning. This natural approach is becoming more rare and buying this brand supports heritage clothing.
• Krüger: Options for men, women and children in traditional and modern styles.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Lederhosen

While most people are just happy to have people celebrate Bavarian culture through clothing, there are a few things you should know about lederhosen before buying.

As mentioned before, genuine Bavarian lederhosen are always made of goat or deer leather - no exceptions. Imitation leather, cowhide, etc. are not authentic.

Never wash you lederhosen. Seriously. If it made of traditional materials, it naturally repels liquids (as spilled beer is inevitable) and is extremely durable. There is a much softer stance for dirndls, although the blouse and apron are commonly washed. If you are looking for a discount dirndl, it is actually called a wasch-dirndl.

This is more a matter of opinion than a rule, but the German love of nudity extends to optional underwear beneath the lederhosen. Less revealing than the kilt, some Bavarians swear it is tradition to forgo boxers or briefs.

While you might feel like you've already shelled out quite a few euros for the leferhosen, don't skimp on the accessories. Sneakers can ruin an outfit while haferlschuhe can make it.

Many shops sell a variety of tracht as this used to be everyday clothing (and for a minority of Bavarians, it still is). Ask about Oktoberfest tracht if you want the special dressed up styles versus the country style.