Knickerbockers are not just a pair of trousers - they are a way of life. And above all, a true signature of Luis Trenker. And yet, it is a widespread misconception that Knickerbockers were invented in the Alpine mountains. In fact, that is not true at all. Their name actually originated in New York. 

Here’s how the story goes: in 1809, the writer Washington Irving published a satire entitled “A History of New York” under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker. In it, he described the first settlers who came from Holland to the city then still known as New Amsterdam, wearing loose, calf-length trousers. The success of the book quickly turned “Knickerbocker” into a common nickname for New Yorkers.

Even today, the name of the basketball team the New York Knicks still pays tribute to that legacy. When these knee-length trousers began to be worn for cycling and hiking after 1895, they were simply named after their historical model: Knickerbockers. 

And like that, in the end, a piece of New York made its way to the mountain peaks. The Knickerbocker became the unmistakable hallmark of passionate mountaineers. To a certain extent, that was surely also thanks to Luis Trenker, who is almost impossible to imagine without this iconic garment. 

And when the Knickerbocker later found its way back down from the mountains into the cities, evolving into an urban lifestyle piece with cult status,

much of that success can be credited to the Luis Trenker brand, which embraced this historical garment from the very beginning.

In its countless variations, the Knickerbocker became one of the standout pieces of their collections. And especially the more fashion-forward, urban interpretations - styled with a blazer or even as part of a suit became a true emblem of the young brand. 

Yet despite their rich heritage, the Knickerbocker never appeared old-fashioned or like a relic of the past. Quite the opposite: they were seen as progressive, distinctive, and innovative. And that is still true today. Perhaps because, at their core, Knickerbockers are not simply trousers, but they embody a mindset. 

Those who wear Knickerbockers express a love of freedom, underline their individuality, and are never afraid to do things their own way. Seen this way, these knee-high trousers are a kind of badge of recognition. 

One thing is certain: people who wear Knickerbockers are never boring. They are often witty, entertaining, and always full of surprises. And Luis Trenker creates exceptionally stylish and beautifully tailored trousers for exactly these kinds of people - garments that are perfectly suited to everyday life, and yet anything but ordinary. And yes, you could wear them just as easily in New York. Which brings us right back to where the story of the Knickerbocker began…