Figure 1.--This decorative crossbar is an oval shape with the embossed design of a stag and dear--a standard motif for Lederhosen. This image shows the arrangement of the buckles and the loop to contain the loose end of the strap, this loop is made of metal but they are sometimes made of leather.

Halters are made of two primary components, the cross bar and braces. There can be substantial differences between these components. They can very in size, primarily the with. The braces can vary in length and there are differences in the buckles and button attachments. The crossbar is even more varied and there are differences in shape and design. There are some other components, such as diagonal supports, but these are not common.

Cross Bar

The cross bar helps prevent the straps falling off the shoulder while there is no tension on them. e.g. while sitting. To do this efficiently the cross bar needs to be as high as possible. Cross bars can be straight or rectangular while others are oval in outline. The width of the cross bar also vary. Some boys wear lederhosen halters with wide crossbars, others have much narrower ones. It might be thought that the boys are wearing braces that are too big for them, hence the wide crossbar, but if this were the case the crossbar would be high up the chest close to the chin. The reasons for the variations are not clear. It may be the custom and practice of the local maker or it might be for practical reasons. Some halters seem to have a very large crossbar. It may be that the size is intentional, part of the design. Just as there are variations in the making of the shorts themselves, so some workshops produce a very prominent halter design. The designs on the crossbars vary, but Alpine and hinting scenes--especially stags are the most common. There are also medalion like inserts.

Braces

The design of the braces comes out of the required function and the material used. The use of leather that has no stretch to it requires a means of keeping the straps in place while moving around, sitting, running etc., which is why the crtoss bar is added. As a boy grows the cross bar moves down as the straps are let out, the brace straps then may have a tendency to fall off one shoulder or the other.

Diagonal Braces

Most boys' lederhosen braces are the crossbar and buckles type. There is a less common design, more likely to be used with traditional lederhosen, that has extra straps coming from below the cross bar and meeting in the middle behind the flap. The are attached to the button behind the flap. Their purpose is to stop a heavy pair of lederhosen sagging at the front. As most boys wear lederhosen as a utilitarian garment, where the look, styling and fit come second to practicality, they are not often seen other than with folk costume.

Buckles and Loops

This buckles on the suspender braces were arranged differently. Placement of the buckles were palced differently. Thbuckles varied somewhat, Most were metal and rectacular shaped with a center prong to grap holes in the braces. There might also be a loop to contain the loose end of the strap. The loop could be made of both metal or leather.

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Created: August 1, 2001
Last updated: August 1, 2001