Skinny, baggy, formal, PJ-style: they are a deeply familiar global phenomenon that comes in all shapes and sizes. To many of us, they form a part of a personal identity, they trigger gender and generational conflicts, they are a marker of cultural and social belonging. Trousers. From March 25 2025, the Weltmuseum Wien will be taking a journey through 3,000 years of global legwear history, from the oldest types of pants from the Bronze Age to the present day!

Trousers are everywhere – yet they hold much more meaning than meets the eye. From ancient riding trousers to modern jeans, Who wears the pants? explores cultural norms, social change, and personal identity. Treasures and quite a few oddities from the collections of the Weltmuseum Wien, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and the Theatermuseum meet loans from Austrian and international institutions. Historical originals, presented alongside selected contemporary artworks, create a multifaceted picture of this symbol-laden garment.

Whether luxurious trousers of the Habsburgs, rebellious fashion statements, or practical workwear – the exhibited pieces illustrate how closely trousers are linked to power, status, and gender roles. From the oldest preserved trousers, over 1,000 years old, the narrative unfolds to rebellious women and their fight for social and political equality.

But the exhibition does not only look to the past. It also addresses the challenges of today’s fashion industry – from fast fashion to the difficult conditions of textile production. What do trousers say about us? How has their meaning evolved over time? And why do they still symbolize power, protest, and transformation today?