In its major special exhibition from March 25, 2025, the Weltmuseum Wien will be taking a foray through 3000 years of trouser history from all over the world. Treasures and many a from all the collections of the Weltmuseum Wien, the Theatermuseum and the Kunsthistorisches and the Kunsthistorisches Museum meet loans from Austrian museums and international collections. international collections. The exhibits tell of sophisticated functionality and design craftsmanship. They bear witness to people's living conditions - in luxury and poverty poverty, in everyday working life and in festive dress.

From the oldest types of pants of the Bronze Age, a narrative thread spans the mythical
Amazons and leads from Ancient Greece to the rebellious women of more recent history.
history. The development of trousers in European men's fashion, where sporting competition
competition, the need for representation and developments in war technology provided the impetus,
are also addressed. Habsburg pants are also on display: In addition to the well-known
military uniform pants for everyday wear and breeches made from loden for hunting, the
Emperor Franz Joseph's wardrobe also includes surprising riding leg dresses made of goatskin - a gift from his brother in Mexico.
a gift from his brother in Mexico.

Pants sokoto, Nigeria, around 1970, viscose, synthetics, cotton. Weltmuseum Wien, Barbara Plankensteiner Collection, acquired 2009, vintage, in Nigeria © KHM-Museumsverband, Weltmuseum Wien

Pants sokoto, Nigeria, around 1970, viscose, synthetics, cotton. Weltmuseum Wien, Barbara Plankensteiner Collection, acquired 2009, vintage, in Nigeria © KHM-Museumsverband, Weltmuseum Wien

Last but not least, the underpants are given scope: from the oldest surviving "Bruche" and
ring-armored shorts from the 15th/16th century to contemporary works of art, there is much to discover.
unknown things to discover. With a look at the challenges of jeans and textile
and textile production in the age of "ultra-fast fashion", the journey of discovery through tragedies
and comedies in the name of pants.
Visitors to the Weltmuseum Wien can expect to see historical objects in dialog with individual key positions in contemporary art in the exhibition Who wears the pants?
Several interactive stations invite visitors to design their own "trousers of the future", among other things.
of the future" and offer the opportunity to engage personally with legwear and its history. In addition to regular themed tours and practical
workshops for all age groups, there are also events centered around the theme of trousers, such as a
such as a "Fun Lecture" by art historian Abigail Susik, a comedy performance by
cabaret artist David Stockenreitner or an event in cooperation with Vienna Fashion Week.
March 25, 2025 to February 1, 2026

www.weltmuseumwien.at