Train (clothing)

The Train (from " lugging " " pull behind him " within the meaning of ) means that part of a garment, which grinds behind the support or the wearer on the ground. Skirts, dresses and coats can be designed so that they are back, more or less distinctly longer than floor-length. A special form is the Courschleppe who belonged to the court Zeremonialkleidung the ladies of the Napoleonic Empire until the First World War.

While towing almost exclusively reserved wedding and evening dresses today, they were in the course of costume history several times in general fashion, such as in the 13th century, late 17th and late 18th century, and finally to 1875-1880.

Because of the high, not objectively necessary material consumption and because the train is dirty when grinding on the ground and damaged ( ie valuable material destroyed ), was a train suitable for display of wealth and thus became a status symbol. In some courtly clothing regulations their length was limited depending on the status of the wearer, the higher the ranking nobility, the longer it could be the train.

In courtly Zeremonialkleidung, eg coronation coats, you can still find towing of extreme length, make the necessary train-bearer.

The train is also found in Goethe's Faust, where it is called by the court jester in the second part: Right behind your coat Train, he / she crashes together on the stairs. / It was henceforth the fat weight / Dead or drunk, does not know.

Train-bearer of the Magi in the Nativity scene of the parish church Wangen im Allgäu