the dirndl emerged during the 18th century as a plain, practical servant's dress with a long skirt, bodice, blouse and apron. in the wintertime it was made of heavy cotton, linen or wool with long sleeves, and in summer it was short-sleeved and of lighter material. in the second half of the 19th century, as the schuhplattler and lederhosen became fashionable amongst the nobility, dirndls evolved into stylish attire made of silk or satin for the very rich. their popularity has risen and fallen over the years, but like lederhosen, the dirndl has lately had something of a resurgence in germany and austria.