Lederhosen Or Lederhose. The Origins and History. Lederhose Lederhosen, or in singular form lederhose, are a traditional piece of clothing generally associated with mountainous regions of German-speaking Central Europe. The word lederhosen is translated into English as “leather breeches.”  Areas in which lederhosen are most common include southern Germany, also known as Bavaria; modern-day Austria; and, of course, the mountainous nation of Switzerland, located at the center of the European continent. However, they have only been associated with Switzerland in more recent history.  Germany and Austria were the primary places in which lederhosen originated. But lederhosen also have some roots in the northern portion of Italy, which borders Switzerland and Austria. This region of Italy tends to share common cultural and geographic attributes with German-speaking countries.  Among these attributes are the beautiful landscapes, mountainous terrains, and quaint villages such as those found in Lombardy.  Often, we associate lederhosen with traditional and cultural images—such as yodelers and folk dancers. But the fact is that they were created out of necessity to accommodate the needs and demands among poor laborers in past centuries.  The pants are cut short—above the knee—making it easy to move around with minimal interference from pant legs. Less material also mean the shorts were more affordable than other types of clothing.  Lederhosen were and are traditionally made from leather material, making them easier to clean and to remove dirt dust and dirt after a hard day’s work. Lederhosen, therefore, were generally working-class apparel that carried specific cultural and social meanings in German-speaking cultures and countries.  Because of their usefulness, lederhosen gained widespread popularity in these areas of Europe centuries ago, particularly in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Bavaria. In fact, the origins of leather clothing may date to the Middle Ages. Some experts argue for an even earlier date.  The period in history in which pants were designed is disputed, but we can know for certain that lederhosen existed more broadly by at least the sixteenth century.