by the late 19th century, traditional costume clubs () were being established throughout bavaria and tyrol, and soon these groups spread to german communities in america and elsewhere. since the mission of these clubs was to preserve the age-old customs, lore and dress of the german and austrian alps, the schuhplattler became a central part of their programs. the were often strict and exacting about how the dance was to be performed and how club members were to dress, although new schuhplattler groups sprang up after the second world war that were less tied to the older forms.