Clothing

Leather clothing you wear for years

Leather is not a material that has had its day after two seasons. It takes on whatever you do with it: a pair of lederhosen sits differently the tenth time you wear them than on the first day, a hat gets its shape from the head that wears it, a belt remembers the hole you use most often.

Clothing holds 50 items: lederhosen for women and men, hats, belts, sandals and Haferl shoes, plus gloves, T-shirts and the barbecue waistcoat. All pieces that can be combined with one another.

Lederhosen

Lederhosen are the item where the fit decides everything. Too loose and they look borrowed, too tight and they become uncomfortable when you sit down. As a rule of thumb they may sit a shade firm when you buy them, because leather gives at the hips and thighs.

We stock short and knee-length models for women and men. The measurements are given on every product page; if in doubt, take a look at the inside leg length of a pair of cloth trousers that fit you well.

Hats

A leather hat keeps the rain off, casts shade and forgives being left lying in the car. What matters is the head circumference: run a tape measure right round, just above the ears — that gives you the size. Between two sizes, take the smaller one, because hat leather gives as well.

Belts

A belt made of through-dyed full leather differs from a split-leather model in that it does not come apart when bent. The edge stays closed and the colour runs through the whole material. That is exactly what shows after two years.

On sizing: do not go by your clothing size. Lay a belt that fits you flat and measure from the base of the prong to the hole you use most. That measurement is the belt length.

• Classic belts in brown and black, in a width that suits jeans and suit trousers
• Belts with a hidden compartment for travelling, with cash held in the inner band
• Reversible models in two colours, so that one belt goes with more

Shoes and sandals

Haferl shoes, sandals and leather slippers need a short breaking-in period and then fit better than any shoe you can wear straight away. The footbed moulds itself to the foot and the straps stretch very slightly.

For summer we stock open sandals, for cooler days the lined winter slippers. On the PVC sandals the sole is waterproof, which makes them practical for the garden and the terrace.

Care

All leather items take the same treatment: not in the washing machine, not on the radiator, and when wet, best left flat to dry in the air. Work in leather grease or balm two or three times a year and the material stays supple and takes up less water.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the right lederhosen size?

Take the waist measurement of a pair of jeans that fit you well, in centimetres, and compare it with the size chart on the product page. If they sit slightly firm at first, that is right — leather widens at the hips and thighs by about half a size.

Which hat size do I need?

Measure your head circumference with a tape measure just above the ears. The figure in centimetres is the hat size. If you fall between two sizes, take the smaller one.

How do I measure the belt length?

Lay a belt that fits you flat and measure from the base of the prong to the hole you use most often. Do not use your trouser size; it is usually well off.

Can lederhosen be cleaned?

Only dry and spot by spot. Marks are dabbed off with a slightly damp cloth, never rubbed. They will not take a proper wash — lederhosen darken over the years, and that is simply part of it.

Do the pieces go together?

Yes, the colour range is deliberately kept narrow. The browns and blacks are matched so that belt, hat and shoes work together without your having to hit exactly the same shade.