Traditional Costumes
Old Aunt
Lady of the Upper-Class
The character of the Old Aunt can be traced back to caricatures of older upper-class women who resided in Basel. The figure came to prominence in Fasnacht at the end of the 19th century and by the beginning of the 20th century had become a beloved fixture in the procession. The clothing and accessories that accompany the portrayal of this figure come in part from the Biedermeier time period.
Costume
The costume itself tends to be made up of an elegant dress or of a two-piece (a skirt and tailored jacket). Usually a blouse is worn under the jacket. Perhaps the most defining part of the costume is the mask which can be identified by the pointed nose (which sometimes has glasses sitting on the bridge) and a pointed chin. A capotte hat or a Biedermeier hat which is often adorned with flowers, feathers and other decorations is also an important part of the costume. Other accessories which add to the effect of the costume are: gloves, an umbrella, old fashioned buttoned boots and a shawl.
Emergence of the Figure
Presumably two circumstances favoured the emergence of the figure. Firstly the costume could be put together from old clothes that were no longer worn. The individual parts did not have to match either in colour or material. Especially for poorer people this offered an opportunity for disguise without having to spend money on it. And secondly it provided an opportunity for gender-specific role reversal. A phenomenon that also occurs in other customs.
