By Marriette Rough, Segway guide and Dirndl diva.
German traditional attire is generally considered to be the Dirndl for the ladies and Lederhosen for the gents. It is certainly more common in the South, especially popular in Bavaria, but in lieu of any wildly famous Northern German garments, it has become the symbol of old-school German threads. The picture above is of our very own Schroeny and his beautiful bride Caroline tying the traditional German knot earlier this year. And then the rest of us getting our very traditional dance on.
The dirndl is a dress based on the traditional clothing of Alpine peasants. Originally the uniform of Austrian servants in the 19th Century, then adopted by the Austrian upper classes as high fashion in the late 1800s. Consisting of a blouse, a dress with a full skirt and an apron. While appearing to be simple and plain, a properly made modern dirndl can cost a pretty penny as they are usually tailored and made from mighty fine materials. Many Bavarians tend to inherit their outfit from their parents or grandparents.
Women often wear silver jewellery with their dress, usually necklaces, earrings and brooches. Sometimes made with antlers of deer or more gruesomely animal teeth. Some say the positioning of the knot on the apron indicates the womans marital status. A knot tied to the left means she is single and looking for love, whilst tied to the right means she is married/engaged and you should keep your distance. A knot tied in the middle means she is a virgin (eek) and a knot tied in the back means she is widowed.
Similar to the Dirndl, the Lederhosen were worn for hard physical labour. The leather much more durable than a fabric garment and much easier to clean/less stinky. Lederhosen in Bavaria can be compared to the wearing of the Kilt in Scotland or the cowboy hat of the States. The flap at the front of the trousers is generally considered to be a Bavarian invention, becoming so popular that in France it was actually known as ‘a la bavaroise’ (in the bavarian style). In the 1880s several clubs were founded in Munich devoted to preserving the tradition of wearing the Lederhosen. Many men wear them whilst doing physical activity like gardening or hiking. However they are predominately worn at folk festivals, in beer gardens or at weddings ie. whilst drinking beer.
Should you be heading down and joining us for Oktoberfest one year, make sure you snag yourself a dirndl/lederhosen because if you don’t you will certainly stick out. Everybody wears the traditional garb, from baby, to teen, to OAP. In Bavaria, during the beer festival, many locals actually go to work in their outfits. The garments make a perfect emergency fancy dress for future parties back home, otherwise you can always sell it online.
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FAQs
One reason given for the increasing popularity of the dirndl and lederhosen is an increased confidence in German self-identity. In the years following the Second World War, there was often a shame in German identity because of the crimes of the Nazi régime.
What is the etiquette for the dirndl? ›
Put on the Dirndl dress, ensuring that the bodice fits snugly and that the skirt falls just below the knee. Tie the apron around your waist, with the bow on your left side if you are single, on your right if you are married, or in the middle if you are a widow. The bow should be neat and not too large.
What do lederhosen symbolize? ›
Oktoberfest lederhosen represents the continued celebration, preservation, and pride of the Bavarian culture.
What is the special cultural traditional clothing worn at Germany? ›
Dirndls and lederhosen may quickly come to mind as traditional German clothing. These outfits originated in Bavaria but have been widely adopted elsewhere. A dirndl is a dress consisting of a blouse, bodice, skirt, and apron.
Do you wear anything under lederhosen? ›
Worn with a linen or cotton shirt, woolly socks, and sturdy shoes, these leather breeches are an iconic item of clothing with a high recognition factor worldwide. There isn't only one single type of lederhosen, though.
Can you wear a dirndl if you're not German? ›
If you are not German, there is no reason you can't wear a dirndl!
Do you wear a bra with a dirndl? ›
Always select the right colour bra to wear under your dirndl blouse. It's best to try on the bra underneath your dirndl and blouse to find the perfect bra to go with your outfit.
What does it mean when you wear the bow on the right side of the dirndl? ›
If the knot of the apron is tied in the front, towards the left side, it means that a woman is single. However, if the knot of the apron is tied to the right side, it means that the woman is either married or in a relationship. Their relationship status is none of your business.
Do you wear socks with a dirndl? ›
Absolutely! Lederhosen socks are not limited to men. Women can wear them to achieve an authentic Bavarian look, pairing them with dirndls or other Oktoberfest attire.
What is the small pocket on lederhosen for? ›
Some lederhosen, especially those for young boys, are held up by decorated suspenders. And many lederhosen have a right-side pocket where you can stash a knife.
Called Tracht in German, this distinctive form of dress was once worn day in, day out by men, women, and children in the Alpine regions of Bavaria and Austria. For men, the most recognisable element is, of course, the lederhosen; for women, the dirndl is the most typical piece.
How to look good in lederhosen? ›
As a general rule, your shirt should be looser cut, but not baggy; traditional models often feature decorative stitching around the collar, cuffs, and plackets. Colour-wise, make sure you are coordinated. A good Oktoberfest look is harmonious, not gaudy, so try to avoid wearing too many colours at once.
What do tourists wear in Germany? ›
Try a relaxed pair of flowy trousers or more structured yet stretchy ponte if you're looking for comfort. A dark pair of slim or skinny jeans, a nice top and a cardigan, with a scarf thrown over the top, will do well in any German city.
What is a German Tracht? ›
Tracht (German pronunciation: [ˈtʁaxt]) refers to traditional garments in German-speaking countries and regions.
What are German pants called? ›
The term Lederhosen (/ˈleɪdərˌhoʊzən/; German pronunciation: [ˈleːdɐˌhoːzn̩], singular in German usage: Lederhose, German: [ˈleːdɐˌhoːzə]; lit. "Leather Pants") is used in English to refer specifically to the traditional leather breeches worn by men in Austria, Bavaria (namely Upper Bavaria), South Tyrol and Slovenia.
What do the clothes mean at Oktoberfest? ›
The history of dirndls and lederhosen (leather pants) at the Oktoberfest in Munich goes back to the early years of the 19th century. Originally worn as work clothes and everyday wear, not least the Oktoberfest in 1810 itself gave a boost to the wearing of traditional costumes among the city's population.
What does lederhosen mean in German? ›
"Leather Pants") is used in English to refer specifically to the traditional leather breeches worn by men in Austria, Bavaria (namely Upper Bavaria), South Tyrol and Slovenia. The term Trachten Lederhose is often used in German to avoid confusion with other types of leather pants.
Is it OK to wear lederhosen at Oktoberfest? ›
Well, the truth is: wearing dirndls and lederhosen are not officially mandatory – there's no real Oktoberfest dress code or anything like that to worry about. There will definitely be people there who are not wearing them – visitors and locals alike.
What are the benefits of lederhosen? ›
The durability factor of Lederhosen makes it one prime choice. You can attain a Lederhosen and secure it for years. The reusability of Lederhosen is what sets it apart. Having a resilient material outfit makes things more feasible.
