Sensory—a frenzy of color and fabrics

Traditional costumes of Franconian Switzerland

Teile d. Historischen FesttagstrachtOriginal Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim

Rustling gossamer silk, soft velvet that caresses the skin, an explosion of color that could almost burst one's retina. A whirlwind of emotion! That is the sensation when seeing Forchheim's historical regional costumes.

Historische Festtagstracht, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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Historische Festtagstracht, Vorderansicht, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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Colors mean a lust for life, precious materials convey prosperity and wealth. The fine silk fabrics in iridescent shades, the rustling brocade fabrics interwoven with gold, or the dark, soft velvet, unleash such a riot of color. Forchheim's regional costumes have always been very sensual and delight the eye of the beholder as much as the wearer.

Historische Tracht, Rückansicht, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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Historische Tracht, Rückansicht, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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Teile der Historischen Festtagstracht, um 1900, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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Purists must contain their emotions when seeing traditional costumes for the first time. The historical festive costume captivates with its bold, strong color, which the eye can barely take in. The joy of color reaches depths that often only become apparent upon closer inspection.

Kittel, 1950er Jahre, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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Festtagsschürze, 1950er Jahre, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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The precious smocks and aprons, made of shimmering, soft velvet or flowing silk, bear magnificent woven or embroidered floral patterns.

BrustfleckOriginal Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim

The bodice

The bodice, worn tightly over the shirt, shows the virtuoso skills of the seamstresses.

Besticktes Leibchen, DetailOriginal Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim

Detail of an embroidered bodice

You need an eye for detail to see the intricate embroidery and decorations. Floral, vegetal ornaments and patterns in finely matched or contrasting color combinations, depending on personal taste…

Spiegeltuch mit Franse, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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Kopftuch, um 1900 - 1950, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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Seidentuch, um 1800 - 1900, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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Seidentuch, Detail, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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Seidentuch, Detail, Original Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim
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When pink meets green in "color blocking": Scarves, scarves, scarves, in all colors and variations … They are among the most important accessories of the traditional Forchheim costume: colorfully printed with vines and blossoms, patterns woven in iridescent colors or richly embroidered with silk threads.

Historische Tracht aus HeroldsbachOriginal Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim

Historical festive costume from Heroldsbach

How about a little extra something? Not one scarf, but three! One on the head, one on the neck and one on the shoulders…

Erneuerte FesttagstrachtOriginal Source: Pfalzmuseum Forchheim

The Costume Museum in Forchheim

The Costume Museum in Forchheim explores the history of the region's traditional costumes, tells the story of these costumes, the various occasions at which they were worn and the people who wore them, and links this to contemporary costume culture.

Credits: Story

Forchheim Pfalz Museum, https://kaiserpfalz.forchheim.de/

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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