look at German culture dress

In this paper, one will look at German culture dress from history and a journey through evolution.

look at German culture dress

Germany is culturally rich country with very articulated cultural background in arts, literature and music, music, fashion, etc. In course of time, the German culture has ideally consisted of styles of dressing that has not only been in tandem with the society’s culture of the given era but has also acted as a potent mould in the formation of the identity of Germany. Now this essay will try to look with the various characteristic of German dress and how Germany came about its wear over the years.

look at German culture dress

Ancient German culture dress

Archaeological records from the early Iron Age (500 BC -476 AD) do not tell us that much about how the early German people dressed, but clothes worn by Germanic tribes were animal skin and fur, plants and wool. These garments were functional and long-lasting what was characteristic for clothes produced in those times to maintain people protected from bad climate conditions.

At some point when Rome was colonising Germania there were cases of contact between Roman civilisation and Germanics and the roman civilisation’s influence is seen from the way they Germanic tr ibes started adopting roman fashion trends.

Medieval German culture dress

In fact, the clothing of the German people changed as can be seen throughout history around medieval era, which spans from the 5th to the 15th century. New modes of dress importance surged for the nobility the clothing appeared more rich with men’s wearing long tunic and hose while women wore gown and mantles.

Whatever the garments were, the lower classes did wear more mundane ones of less quality fabric, linens and wool. The other changes in costume were based on the division pertaining to the different regional characteristics of the areas and regarding the other civilisations.

De Sartorio.De Esschen.Ernst Barlach Renaissance and Baroque German culture dress

The Italian and French fashion of the 15th to 18th century however spread very much to Germany among the nobility, there are the Renaissance and the Baroque times. During this period women fashion included stylish intricate hairdos, large brimmed hats or elaborate headdresses, men fashion included the fashion ruff collar and long gowns. It was the formation of regional peculiarities too, like Tyrolean hat, or Bavarian lederhosen.

19th Century German culture dress Fashion

To some extent the established theme of German culture and politics is best exemplified in the unification of the country and nationalism during the 19th century. At this particular time, German fashion was closely associated with the fashion in France and especially the Romantic period.

Clothing with a clear small waistline, bell shaped skirts and tall, decorated bonnets were fashionable for women and frock coats, cravat and top hats for men. The particular military uniform of Prussian troops, referred to as blue tonic, was recognized as Germanist emblem.

20th Century German culture dress

The 20th century bring new concepts in fashion and the new fashion was a result of social, political and economical transformation in Germany. In the interwar period, the styles were much more modest, more suited to men and women than in imperial period or the war period. The Nazis and World War II ushered in severe clothing limitations and the birth of handy, utilitarian wear, to serve the purpose of the Nazi nation.

After the war, Germany, like the rest of Europe, affected by numerous changes, became a country focused on its economic rebuilding or reconstruction and the passion for fashion and its release was expressed anew. Just like hippies and punk rock, the German fashion and dressing culture have been affected by the cloves as youth cultures in 1960s and 1970s.

Modern German culture dress

Current popularity German fashion is modest but very diverse and multifaceted with trends that mirror Germany modern cultural identities. There are still regional costumes like Bavarian lederhosen and Tyrolean hat worn with pride by the peoples of these regions; today’s fashion designers coming out of Germany are Jil Sander and Wolfgang Loop who define a new trademark on modern fashion.

Conclusion German culture dress

Over the years, German culture dress has changed to match the ever dynamic social, political and economic face of the country. Beginning from tribal clothing through other ages to the modern German dressing code, Germany has come a long way in proving that clothing is part of the country’s identity. The German fashion is an ongoing story, meaning the German fashion has to develop and evolve to answer to challenges of the future.

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