The story of the South Tyrolean Loden
What is the loden anyway? The word “Loden” comes from the Old High German “lodo”, what means “rough cloth”. At the very beginning it was the name for a cloth that is not yet finished (e.g. like the felt). The loden is a so-called woollen yarn fabric to which sometimes camel hair, cashmere, silk and alpaca are added to refine the wool. Elsewhere loden is also made from canvas and jersey. For lower qualities, cotton and shoddy wool is added.
Reinforcements of the loden with synthetic fibres and viscose have also proved their worth. The loden was worn by the farmers as warming clothing in the cold winter. Under Emperor Franz Josef it found its firm place in noble families. Also today the tough fabric is much affected by princes and earls. The South Tyrolean Loden – worldwide called “Bozner Loden” – is made from the wool of South Tyrolean sheep by fulling, roughening, brushing, impregnating and decatising. The colour of the loden normally is green, brown or grey, it is dyed or mixed.
The well-known “Bozner Loden” has a short pile and has developed from working clothes to the popular fashionable fabric for garments and coats. Loden is used today for all types of clothing, be it sporty, elegant, classic or traditional. It defies all weathers and can be found in the wardrobe of every South Tyrolean.
The Loden Museum in Vandoies in the Val Pusteria valley tells everything about the origin and production of the South Tyrolean Loden. Further information: Lodenwelt, 39030 Vandoies di Sotto, phone +39 0472 868540, info.lodenwelt@oberrauch-zitt.com.
