Let’s get the cat out of the bag….
Do you know how to represent yourself in the world’s largest folk festival? Unlike other festivals, German Oktoberfest is the easiest one to get dressed for. By giving us two dressing options Lederhosen & Dirndl, traditions have taken the burden of selecting a dress from us. Dirndls are female Oktoberfest dresses and men dress in Lederhosen, some women also style trachten or some other traditional accessories.
It’s a mini Oktoberfest outfit guide, so be ready to dig deep into the clothing history and important parameters of Oktoberfest costumes that one should keep in mind.
History of German Lederhosen and Dirndl
Prices might surprise you!!!
Nowadays, Oktoberfest dresses fetch some higher prices in the market but both Lederhosen and dirndl shared a very humble beginning as traditional and alpine clothes for German peasants. Back in the Middle Ages, the use of these German Oktoberfest cloths was widespread, when the lederhosen literally meant leather breaches combined with European pants, and paddle pushers right below the knee. Those leather outfits with German expediency were perfect lather dresses suitable for high and rough mountaineer environments. Tailored from durable cotton and silk, dirndl came into the lights as the outfit designed for maids and farm workers.
Before being revived as the traditional outfit for celebrating Germany’s biggest festival, lederhosen and Dirndl had fallen out of fashion by the time of celebrating the first Oktoberfest and gained the reputation of official Oktoberfest outfit in 1887.
Is It Necessary to Wear an Oktoberfest costume?
Not necessary but believe me you will want to. As mentioned before, in the beer halls, you will meet thousands of revellers (mostly Munich locals and people from other parts of Germany) in the beer halls who take trachten and Bindhosen. While there is no actual dress code isn’t it nice to spend some time investing your time in an outfit that actually helps you to learn about one’s history, customs and traditions?
Women’s Oktoberfest Outfit in Munich
Women can wear anything they want because of who rules the world etc. but if the woman wants to get led with some German culture and folk stories then it would be nice to style dirndl. In the Bavarian language, Dirndl is a clothing item suitable for females of every age… in the local culture, dirndl interwind with different clothing items including
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A white cotton or silk blouse, round embroidered neck with puffy sleeves
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The bodice under the blouse
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The skirt can be styled in three different ways: above the knee for a mini-skirt, right on the knee for a more traditional look and right above the ankle suitable for elderly women.
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An apron which is tied with a ribbon and the side of its knot describes the availability of its wearer. A knot to the left means single, to the right means in a relationship or married, in the front means untouched or virgin and on the back means widowed or divorced.
Layer Up Your Dirndl in Chilly Weather
Well, in Germany Oktoberfest can get chilly even in September to layer up your dirndl. The weather in Germany can vary every year. One year it’s a bright blue sky and next year it gets so chilly that an overcoat becomes necessary. While a combo of bodice, apron and blouse might seem fine during the day or in the beer halls in the night walking to your hotel or home might become chilly.
Women should get their hands on cute little cardigans or overcoats and a pair of stockings under your dirndl sounds nice. If you have a face that adores the andornament of the hat then there is nothing wrong in wearing an alpine hat. Well, women look beautiful in block heels but if you want to spend your day comfortably without hurting your feet then get your hands on some boots and flat-sole shoes.
It’s 2024’s Oktoberfest unlock your inner stylist and get unique with your dirndl, just don’t take it too far from traditional German dirndl.
A Note for Dirndl Sizing
As an online Dirndl and lederhosen store we have some valuable advice on fitting for you before you book yourself with some dirndl, Oktoberfest is all about dancing around, chugging beer and devouring German food, you don’t want your dress to be unnervingly tight.
Make sure you can pinch the fabric around the waist and have some room because when beer starts doing its work you don’t want to stick with your zipper at the back. But you can definitely go smaller and tighter with your blouse because its sole purpose is to reveal cleavage.
Men’s Oktoberfest Outfit
Leather pants with three-quarter leather pushers, a buttoned flap and a bit of brace set up, yes we are talking about men’s traditional outfit for Munich Oktoberfest. Style with the white or checkered shirt tucked in the leather pants, frankly there is more about lederhosen than this unflattering description. Let’s have a look at some important clothing parts of lederhosen
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The lederhosen is basically leather pants available in deer or chamois skin. Embroidered with family or club patterns and just for enhancing the look, lederhosen has animal horn or bone buttons most likely on the flap to make some room for your private parts.
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Oktoberfest shirts are long sleeves, plain or checkered and collared button-up shirts. The colour of the shirt depends on the reveller’s choice, white and blue are the traditional colours. But pink is popular and basically, you can wear whatever you get your hands on.
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In Lederhosen, suspenders are used to keep every clothing piece in one place. Add a bit of design and flair to your outfit with a cross plate of suspenders on your chest. Suspenders are not necessary but your private parts become public if your pants do not handle the weight of beer you chug.
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Well, shoes and socks are not an essential part of a traditional Bavarian dress but who can go in the streets without wearing shoes. Get your hands on long woolly socks, decorated with funky designs and embroidery patterns and combo them with nice shoes.
Lederhosen Length
Well if you want to become more pedantic about your German lederhosen then don’t skip this part. Men’s Oktoberfest costume also comes in three lengths
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Lederhosen are like shorter pants that land right above your knees
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Platterhosen lands right on the knees
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And bundhosen is a little lower or around the shin
As a tourist, you can call all these simply lederhosen and get away with it and nobody will question you.
Lederhosen Material
Lederhosen is a German word which means “German Breeches”. Regular cow and goat skin lederhosen are more comfortable and affordable; deer skin lederhosen is on the next level while chamois and elk lederhosen are the fanciest and not everyone can afford them. Whatever material you choose, be aware that your leather pants are going to be durable and a little stinky.
Fitting Guide for Lederhosen
You don’t want your lederhosen to be tight around your waist and butt. Suspenders come in handy so don’t worry if your pants are a little loose eventually they will be tight by the end of the night. One direct piece of advice from the team of Oktoberfest Outfits is to get your hands on lederhosen with not-so-los fitting that you will be able to do squats with your pants on. If your lederhosen is too tight, it is going to rip apart or tear out around your butt. Save yourself from embarrassing moments and check out the size guide before ordering yourself a costume for 2025’s Oktoberfest.
Guys Should Also Consider Layering Up
As compared to girls, boys don’t have cardigans and overcoats in their hands because there is a difference in inheriting cold between an apron/skirt and pants. Well, you can still get chilly and catch cold on the bus station of Hackerbruecke waiting for your ride to go back home. It’s a great idea to throw a collarless leather jacket or a cardigan over your lederhosen.
Don’t Cheap Out on Your Lederhosen or Dirndl
Well, you can plenty of costume-style Oktoberfest dresses that might be passable and give a Halloween feel. But once you see how magnificent everyone is dressed in the beer tent halls you’ll definitely be feeling like an outsider wearing a decked-out Halloween costume.
We are not asking you to get your way out or empty your pocket, just get your hands on something durable, comfortable and premium-quality material. Our online store offers a wide range of splendid collections of finest-quality lederhosen and dirndl at affordable prices. We also offer discounts and deals don’t be so lazy, order your Oktoberfest wear before it gets too late.
Hats & Other Accessories
As mentioned earlier, you can add more charm to your Oktoberfest dress by wearing an alpine hat or other accessories. Traditionally bigger the tuft of feathers in the hat represents the financial stability of the wearer. Unlike men, women have way more options in accessories except hats. Get down with traditional head broaches or a bead necklace to enhance your cleavage and neckline. As a rule of thumb, you should really keep your purse small because who wants to carry extra baggage till night moreover it is better to keep your small purse safe than big handbags.
Let’s Wrap
We already spill all the beans necessary to keep in mind before purchasing an Oktoberfest costume. Don’t look like an outsider in the biggest festival in Germany, mix with Munich locals, and understand their heritage and customs. Oktoberfest is becoming more popular each year globally and a report by Forbes proves it by declaring that 7.2 million attendees attended 2023’s Oktoberfest festivities breaking all previous records. No matter what kind of lederhosen and dirndl you select make sure you fulfill all parameters of Oktoberfest dressing code. Make sure you are investing in an outfit that is not only durable and comfortable but also maintains its real attire after multiple washes.
