Who says wearing a dirndl to make the most of the Oktoberfest is necessary? If traditional party gear is not a cup of your tea, you can opt for other fashion statements. You can try Lederhosen for the fun Bavarian vibes or your favourite pair of jeans with the trendy shirt. Oktoberfest has a separate fan base and is celebrated with full energy all over the globe; as per the latest stats, there were a total of 6.7 million visitors to Munich Oktoberfest in 2024. On the other hand, there are more than 45 million Americans, who own German heritage and celebrate it in the grand way possible. As per Oktoberfest zinzinnati, it is claimed that America has largest Oktoberfest celebrations and brings more than 800,000 people to Cincinnati each year. Add different accessories and slay in the event to give your look a Bavarian touch.
Most women find wearing a dirndl boring due to repetitiveness and lack of comfort. Apart from being beautiful, they are tight and restrictive to enjoying long-hours parties. Some people prefer trendy attires over traditional Bavarian looks, making women-lederhosen, casual dresses and casual shirts more aesthetic and appealing. Oktoberfest Outfits has covered you for the best outfits, alternatives and accessories. Keep reading to find out what to wear to Oktoberfest, if not dirndl.
Is it Mandatory to Wear Dirndl for Women at Oktoberfest?
No, it's not necessary to wear the traditional party wear to attend the Oktoberfest. Since most of the people are locals in beer halls or from other parts of Germany, they give importance to the trachten dress code, which shows the German identity and Bavarian culture. To stand out in Oktoberfest, you can add some Bavarian elements to your ordinary outfit or at least try to play with the dress, which can balance the rich heritage and modern touch.
Oktoberfest Female Dress Code Alternatives
However, the traditional Oktoberfest dress for women is Dirndl. But most women find it boring and uncomfortable. Women's Lederhosen comes to the rescue as an alternative that balances comfort and representation of Bavarian culture. It's about the history of Lederhosen. It was initially crafted for men, but nowadays, women started wearing it in October. It has become the new norm for women to wear leather Lederhosen to the festivals.
To maintain the appeal of your lederhosen, you need to care for it and ensure that you use a leather brush only for cleaning. Lederhosen comes in different sizes, from short to knee-length to long. To increase the feminine appeal, modern cuts and floral embroidery are used. However, the styling and pairing of clothes matter greatly to make you look worthy and stand out at the event.
Alternative - Checkered Shirts and Dirndl Blouses
You can pair Lederhosen with traditional, perfect blouses to ditch your old, dull ladies' costume. Also, you can opt for a checkered ladies' shirt, and suspenders are a must—don't miss them to enjoy the authenticity of traditional Lederhosen. A look can never be completed without adding Accessories; what's better than finishing the look with an Alpine hat and Bavarian shoes?
In today's time, the best look will be the balance of rich heritage and modern elements. If it's not Dirndl, you can try something closer to it that complements the Oktoberfest the most- what's better than Drindl blouses? You can make a great pair of Dirndl blouses with skirts and accessorize with a Bavarian belt and suspender to enhance the look. Whenever you are styling your outfit, comfort should be your priority. Opting for a loose, checkered shirt and pairing it with a flowy skirt can be the best alternative for female German attire. This way, you don't need to invest in Dirndl and wear the same old dull ladies' clothing.
Alternative- Skirts, Long Gowns and Cardigans
Ditching the old, uncomfortable Dirndl look has been common nowadays for Oktoberfest. Women are prioritizing the fashion game and comfort over everything. However, lightweight skirts in pastel shades can be best paired up with a t-shirt, dirndl blouse or checkered shirt.
Apart from that, you can opt for Bodenlanges Gewand(the German word for a long gown)- its flare compliments well with the festive vibe of Oktoberfest. The long maxi gown falls to the floor, making you feel like a princess and adding charm to your look. To add more glam, you can pair it with the cardigan, too. The aim of your look should be To take a look to perfection; adding tradition and a personal touch is a must. The feathered hats, alpine jewellery and belts can be ideal for celebrating Bavarian history and make the statement look festive.
Alternative - Pair it with a Trachten Jacket
Styling the Trachten jacket over a dress or traditional blouse should balance Bavarian athletics and modern charm. Adding a Trachten jacket to complete your look adds warmth and fashion.
Types of Trachten Jackets
- Trachtenjanker: This traditional garment is crafted with high-quality wool. Its length goes to the hip area or above that. To complement your maxi dresses, you should choose shorter Trachten jackets.
- Strikjanker: However, they look like cardigans and are knitted traditional outerwear- adding more elegance to your Oktoberfest outfit.
How to style it?
Styling a Trachten jacket can excite you by exploring different options; let's look.
1. Lederhosen
Put your hands on the women's lederhosen and wear them with a good-fitting Trachten Jacket to boost your feminine urge. To give your look the feel of completeness, you can add ankle boots or traditional Haferl shoes.
2. Maxi Skirt with a Traditional Blouse
The maxi dress with the well-fitted Trachten blouse works fine. For a sophisticated look, you can add loafers or heeled boots.
3. Trachten Jeans or Trousers
Most women find wearing Dirndl boring and overhyped. With tons of alternatives, you can pair the traditional janker with well-embroidered jeans or wool trousers and add a leather belt with a buckle for authentic Bavarian vibes.
4. Trachten Jumpsuit
With the modern touch to the traditional Bavarian outfit, these jumpsuits are inspired by the conventional Trachten, which looks fresh and festive at the same time. Adding the well-fitted Trachten jacket over a jumpsuit gives you a structured look.
Alternative— Denim and Floral Motif T-shirts
Oktoberfest is a complete package of fun and rich heritage; it doesn't matter if you are casual or traditional this time. Women not fans of maxis and dresses can shift to casual denim paired with a graphic tee. Mom or straight-leg jeans can be an ideal base for your floral, graphic t-shirt. Pair it with a light cardigan and accessories such as a belt or alpine hat to add glam.
Elevate your Fashion Game with the Accessories
Adding traditional German accessories can be the soul of your look. These accessories will double the authenticity and style of your festive look. Let's have a look at how each element plays its role.
1. Alpine Hat
The wool-crafted alpine hat with the feather adds the touch of tradition and makes your look more authentic.
2. Belts and Suspenders
The wide leather belt with the Bavarian buckle adds a modern touch if you are wearing Lederhosen. On the other hand, suspenders create a bold statement and enhance the aesthetic of the look.
3. Bavarian Shoes
Make your ordinary look extraordinary for Oktoberfest with the Haferschuhe. The brown-coloured suede shoes paired with the wool socks can be ideal for maintaining tradition and giving a personal touch.
Conclusion
When Oktoberfest is around the corner, your inner female must be confused to decide “what to wear to Oktoberfest if not dirndl." Don't worry; we have covered it for you. Styling for Oktoberfest and other festivities can be fun yet stressful when choosing party attire for ladies. Mostly, women are fed the same boring, female German outfit, Dirndl. To ditch that same repetitive outfit and carry your heritage further, we have discussed better options above: a blend of traditions and modernity.
Oktoberfest was just a tradition converted into a revenue-generating model; it has earned more than 1.25 billion euros with the foods, beer and fun games offered at Oktoberfest in 2023. With the line of trends, couples love to wear well-coordinated outfits with fresh prints and complementary contrasts. To cater to this trend, the manufacturers provide matching German outfits which allow couples to show some resemblance and stylish look at events. For this, Oktoberfest outfits have been put in place for matching outfits for couples and complete women's Oktoberfest attire collection. For any query, please feel free to contact us.
FAQs
Can you go to Oktoberfest in regular clothes?
Yes, you can go to Oktoberfest in your typical day-to-day attire. Germans will mostly be in Lederhosen and Dirndl, though.
What are the Oktoberfest colours?
The flag of the German state of Bavaria is light blue and white in check patterns, which are called Oktoberfest colours.
What hairstyles to make for Oktoberfest?
Women can wear classy hairstyles such as bonnets, pigtails, and flower buns. These traditional hairstyles complement party attire well.
