What to Wear to Oktoberfest if You Don't Want to Wear a Dirndl (2024)

FAQs

What to Wear to Oktoberfest if You Don't Want to Wear a Dirndl? ›

A pretty top, skirt, or sundress are usually nice options for women. Just remember to wear a jacket or cardigan at night to be warm. Wear a hat and a pair of suspenders to look more festive. This is a fantastic way to participate in Oktoberfest without going overboard.

Although a little bit harder to come by, if you want to get the Oktoberfest vibes without wearing a dirndl a German-inspired sweater or vest is a stellar way to make your plain outfit into a German one.

You really don't need to buy a pair of cheap Lederhosen or a trashy Dirndl imitation just to fit in. You certainly should put something on, but the way you dress actually isn't important.

Dirndls, for women, and lederhosen for men and some women, make up Munich's Oktoberfest trachten, or traditional costumes, and with well in excess of 90% of revellers in the beer halls sporting some kind of Oktoberfest dirndl or lederhosen, for even the short-term visitor an investment in some Oktoberfest outfits can ...

Traditional Dirndls:

The staple of a woman's outfit at Oktoberfest in Munich is a white blouse under a tight-fitting Bavarian dirndl (DEERN-dul) dress with an apron tied around it. A dirndl dress can come either all in one piece or in two pieces with a separate bodice and skirt.

Always wear a special dirndl bra. Incorrectly fitting and visible bras are an absolute no-go. 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.

Some dirndl dresses feature higher bodices and can be worn as two-pieces without a blouse; otherwise, you will need to remember to add a blouse to your dress and can choose between short puff and elbow-length sleeves. Speaking of length, there are various skirt lengths to choose from, too: mini, midi, and full-length.

Which handbags am I allowed to take to the Oktoberfest? If you have large luggage with you, you are not allowed to take it to the festival grounds. Bags and backpacks may have a maximum volume of three liters and be no larger than 20 x 15 x 10 centimeters.

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.

Backpacks and large bags are generally forbidden within the festival area. Leave everything at home that you won't need while partying. It'll be much quicker to get into the Oktoberfest if you don't have a bag or backpack with you.

Can you wear trainers to Oktoberfest? ›

Under no circ*mstances do you wear Loferl with anything other than traditional shoes, i.e. Haferl shoes. Trainers, sandals and even the hippest pair of trainers are no alternative if you are halfway serious about the traditional costume outfit. Also to be avoided, as described above, are visible socks.

At Londenfrey, you'll discover a gorgeous luxury department store featuring traditional clothing for men, women, and kids, covering multiple floors. There's also a large selection of traditional Bavarian clothing, like Lederhosen and Dirndl outfits (the kind often worn to Oktoberfest festivities).

But should you want to wear a dirndl when the weather is less than ideal for a dirndl outfit, you'll most likely want to wear a sweater or jacket. It's important to have something warm and cozy to layer over your dirndl especially if your blouse is short-sleeved.

The dirndl is regarded as a folk costume (German: Tracht). It developed as the clothing of Alpine peasants between the 16th and 18th centuries. Today it is generally considered the traditional dress for women and girls in German-speaking parts of the Alps, with particular designs associated with different regions.

Socks and stockings are commonly worn in the colder months with a dirndl dress. It can get fresh in autumn, and stockings are the best way to keep yourself warm. Dirndl can be worn without socks and stockings in the hotter summer months, as long as it suits the footwear.

The Swiss refer to an Austrian or German traditional dress as a dirndl, but refer to their own traditional dress as a tracht. As is the case in the neighboring country of Liechtenstein, the use of the term dirndl for a Swiss dress is discouraged. The style varies by region, for example a Bernese Tracht.