Trend at the Oktoberfest: Traditional costume experts: Söder’s Lederhosen are a commitment to Bavaria

Traditional costume wearers and costume connoisseurs appreciate the new Lederhosen outfit of Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) after the rejection of a possible candidacy for chancellor as a fashion-conscious commitment to Bavaria – and especially to Upper Bavaria.

Not historically verifiable in Franconia

«The short leather trousers can be traced back to Francs not,” explains Alexander Wandinger, traditional costume consultant for the Upper Bavaria district, referring to the Prime Minister’s Franconian origins. “But if he is making the Upper Bavarian mountain costume popular with it – why not? “He is also very imaginative in other ways – for example in Veitshöchheim,” said Wandinger. “I have the impression that he enjoys dressing up.” The deeper reasons for this remain hidden, of course.”

Wearer of Lederhosen “Ambassador and friend of Bavaria”

The spokesman for the Bavarian Traditional Costume Association, Anton Hötzelsberger, also says: “Anyone who wears Lederhosen is an ambassador and friend of Bavaria.” There is no appropriation here. At least they are real Lederhosen and not the kind you sometimes see at the Oktoberfest.

Matches beard styles

According to Wandinger, the trousers also match the Prime Minister’s new beard. “The combination he has put together is quite harmonious.”

A few days after the decision on the K question and the announcement of Friedrich Merz as the Union’s candidate, Söder appeared on Saturday for the first time in his term of office wearing lederhosen at the opening of the Oktoberfest.

The Franconian wore a green embroidered deerskin jacket, as is traditional in the Alpine foothills – and emphasised: “Berlin or the Oktoberfest – the Oktoberfest is simply better.”

The Lederhosen in Berlin: Even if there are Bavarian traditional costume groups there, this would be a real novelty, at least in the Federal Chancellery. Wandinger: “If he became Chancellor – and then wore the short Lederhosen: That would be a revolution in fashion.” But he doesn’t want to do that anymore.”

© dpa-infocom, dpa:240923-930-241096/1