Austria - Traditional Costume of Austrian 2014

Product Information:
Date of Issue: 18 July 2014
Number of Copies: 700.000
Print Style: Offset
Design: Anita Kern
Type: Sondermarke
Printed: Joh. Enschedé Stamps B.V

The Ausseer Tracht commemorative is the ideal continuation of the “Classical traditional costumes” series, since in the Ausseerland the traditional costume is still today worn by young and old – and not only on festive occasions. In this charming region of the Styrian Salzkammergut, tradition remains alive, intertwined with modern everyday life. Archduke Johann had a particular close connection with his people and, when at the beginning of the 19th century he began to show himself in the traditional Styrian hunter’s costume, this former working garb of the simple rural population became socially respectable. His grandnephew, Emperor Franz Joseph, adopted this style and spent his summer in the Salzkammergut dressed in Loden. Elegant society soon began to imitate him, and in this way the traditional peasant costume became the elegant outfit that, while adapting to current fashion trends, never lost its original nature. The classical Ausseer women’s Tracht today consists of a green top, a pink skirt and a lilac apron, replaced by a black apron on festive occasions. In contrast, men wear handsewn lederhosen, the length adjusting to the season of the year, Loden jacket with a broad pleat at the back, long green socks, sturdy shoes, hat and a “Bindl”, the Ausseer cravat. The multiplicity of the variations, the fine patterns and colourful accessories make the Ausseer Tracht a focus of attention, an expression of the joy of life and the love of the homeland, as well as providing the right attire for practically every occasion. This great love of the Tracht is also the basis for an important branch of the economy in the Ausseerland. In no other region of Austria are there so many craft businesses for the making of the Tracht, ensuring the originality and authenticity of the clothing. These include bespoke tailors and seamstresses, lederhosen makers, milliners and quill embroiderers. Hand-printers make the attractive silk scarves, silk aprons and cravats using what are known as “Models”, complex stencils made of wood or brass with which the patterns are printed onto the material by hand. The Tracht Biennale has already taken place twice in Bad Aussee, an event presenting not only music and dance but also the colourful splendour of the Tracht