Traditional Fashion - Trachten, Dirndl, Lederhosen
In earlier times, each 'tracht' identified a person as belonging to a particular group in terms of social and legal status (married, single), origin or trade. Today, the term is used to describe any garment reminiscent of the attire of rural communities. Regional varieties are pronounced.
Women's attire, the dirndl, consists of a closefitting bodice combined with an apron in a different colour. Sometimes its sleeveless and worn with a cotton and lace blouse, sometimes it features sleeves and a high neck. Hats are often costly and elaborate. They vary according to occasion and region: 'Goldhauben' (Upper Austria) and 'Bollenhut' (Black Forest region, Germany) are only worn on festive occasions.
Man's traditional clothing is made from leather, linen and wool. 'Lederhosen', knee-length trousers or short-pants made from leather are worn with rustic shoes and wool socks. Again, jackets and hats vary according to region and occasion. The traditional 'Steireranzug' a greyish garment made from loden with green embroidery has managed to become a semi-official tracht all over Austria and can be worn to all sorts of official occasions from formal dinner, ball or political meeting.
In Austria, people still enjoy wearing 'tracht' on official occasions like weddings, festivals, etc. Contemporary fashion adapts traditional elements, the production of dirndl and lederhosen is a thriving economical branch with Sportalm, Geiger or Tostmann being favourite brands.
There are many societies dedicated to 'tracht' revivals. Often, those efforts coincide with an interest in traditional crafts, like porcelain, glass-making or wood carving and traditional folk music and dancing.
With the great success of the Trapp family in the States and the even greater success of 'The sound of music' tracht became famous in the states, too!
Additionally, Vienna has been called the "City of Music" due to its musical legacy, as many famous classical musicians such as Beethoven and Mozart called Vienna home. Vienna is also said to be the "City of Dreams" because it was home to the world's first psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud.
Travellers to Vienna will find that it is less expensive than many other Western Europe cities and can expect to spend around €70 to €230 per person per day. However, these prices will vary depending on how you choose to allocate your budget across accommodation, transport, food, entertainment and activities.
The euro is the currency of Austria. You can also pay for your purchases without problem by card. The most popular credits are usually accepted in Vienna, although sometimes their use is subject to a minimum purchase amount.
Americans are notorious (and regarded as extremely obnoxious) in expecting that people will speak English. In the first district of Vienna, a major tourist area, many people do in fact speak English. But outside that district most shop people, even restaurant people do not, or speak very little.
Tap water is drinkable in Vienna and even comes out of the faucet ice-cool. In many places across the city, drinking fountains stand at the ready to quench the thirst in summer. Simply turn on the faucet and enjoy mountain spring water? That's possible in Vienna.
Even in summer the evenings can be cool, so pack a lightweight jacket or sweater. A light raincoat is useful even in the summer months, as is a travel umbrella. The winters are absolutely freezing and you will see lots of the locals wearing fur coats and hats.
The Austrian capital of Vienna is an incredible destination to visit. Not only is it packed with historical and cultural attractions, but it also has a fun and hip vibe, efficient public transit, plenty of green space, and is a very safe city for tourists.
The palaces and parks of the Habsburg era - Schönbrunn Palace with the Gloriette and the zoo, Belvedere Palace, and the Hofburg palace - give the city an imperial air, enriched by beautiful buildings from the Art Nouveau period.
These attributes along with its unmistakably cosmopolitan atmosphere and joie de vivre attitude make Vienna an essential place to visit. For us, 3 days in Vienna is the perfect amount of time to explore what the city has to offer and leave enough for you to come back another time.
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Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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