Traditional Costumes

Heimat in Velvet and Silk

SWR, 2021, 45 minutes

The Bollen hat is the symbol of the Black Forest, traditional costume associations in Swabia are proud of their long tradition, the preservers of the Hotzenwald costume even celebrate their garments as the oldest traditional costume in Germany. The diverse traditions in Baden and Württemberg seem to show that centuries-old heritage is cultivated here and filled with life. Yet these customs are much younger than we realise: What we understand by "traditional costume" today is less than 200 years old.

We visit those people who preserve "their" customs. And tell the true story of the invention of traditional costume.