Traditional Bavarian Dirndl is the ultimate clothing choice for women about to board a flight to Munich for an Oktoberfest celebration. Many factors go into buying an authentic dirndl skirt, from the fabric choice to the design elements.

These traditional Bavarian outfits for women can be bought from physical stores in Munich or shipped anywhere to the doorsteps for participating in regional Oktoberfest parties and events. For all the ladies who want to keep up the fashion, skim this dirndl shopping guide before making your next purchase. 

Key Takeaways

  • Dirndl, a Bavarian dress with a bodice, skirt, and apron, is an authentic design that should be bought after setting a budget and knowing the mode of purchase.     
  • Consider the occasion when shopping for dirndl, as their designs are universal. This versatile women attire is suitable for casual parties, festive Oktoberfest gatherings, and weddings.
  • Knowing the measurements and body shapes is a great way to decide on the ideal dirndl purchase.
  • Dirndl’s buying is incomplete without accessory shopping. A Dirndl blouse and shoes are essential, without which the traditional Bavarian look is incomplete.

What are the Available Types of Dirndl Dress for Shopping?

The Bavarian trachten for women has multiple variations in style, fabrication, and color choices.  

The Style of Dirndl Dress

The length of the dirndl dress is the defining factor for the style of these Alpine women’s dresses. The availability of three different styles makes it easy for anyone to decide according to their comfort level. The styles of dirndl are;

  • Mini Dirndl is the shortest in length, falling 50 cm or 19.5 inches long, ideal for women of 5.5.’’ These playful dresses go a little above the knees. This sensually chic trachten for women’s style is the best possible choice for sorority gatherings in spring or summer.

  • Midi Dirndl measures 65 cm or 25.5 inches and reaches a little below the knees. They are ideally a choice of most of the women and are most frequently seen during the Oktoberfest celebrations.

  • Maxi Dirndl is more prevalent among elderly women as they fall below the knees, reaching to the ankles. The length of the maxi dirndl ranges from 90 cm to 35.5 inches and replicates the silhouette of gown-style dresses.

Choose Dirndl Color Based on the Occasion

The choice of colors for dirndl shopping is insane. Dirndls are almost available in every possible color, from dark tones to light-shaded pastels.

Occasions

Dirndl Color Details

Formal Setting

Darker, richer tones like jewel colors (amethyst, emerald, burgundy) and navy blue, maroon, and black are the ideal colors.

Festive Gathering

(Oktoberfest)

Pastels (lilac, blush pink, powder blue) are great for young girls. Dark monochromes and silver golden for older women.

Casual Gathering 

Chic colors (orange, fushia, greens, and greys) make the dirndl look great at casual get-togethers. 

Some of the Dirndl Suggestions For You

  • Bold-colored dirndl with embroidered bodice and matching dirndl apron. Dirndl Online Shop’s black dirndl dress perfectly depicts this style: a colorful floral embroidered bodice, black skirt, and beige, purple, or green apron. 

  • A regal monochrome dirndl dress in silver with an embroidered bodice and chevron-print apron is the right choice for a formal occasion like Oktoberfest.

  • Checkered dirndl in black and white with the plain apron and checkered embroidered bodice in solid colors are another great purchase option in terms of colors and pattern for a dirndl. 

A woman can never have enough dirndls, and buying dirndl is the only solution to all the women’s problems!

Fabrication of Dirndl Dress

These German attire are traditionally crafted from high-quality fabrics like cotton, velvet, jacquard, and silk. Most of the time, all the components of dirndl are crafted from the same fabric, but not always. Cotton and linen dirndl are reserved for casual wear, while jacquard, silk, and velvet are for more formal celebrations. A fusion in fabrication of dirndl can be seen in the modern dirndl dress, with the bodice made from an embroidered fabric, skirt made from a plain fabric while the apron is fabricated from lacey material. 

What are the Dirndl Buying Etiquettes?

Several important steps need to be taken before buying a dirndl. Check for authenticity, set a budget, consider occasion, and mode of purchase before geting hand on dirndl for sale.

Check Authenticity When Buying Dirndl

Dirndl, a Bavarian-style dress, has a unique cut (fitting tight on the upper body and flowing on the lower), which defines the authenticity of this woman’s traditional clothing. It is made of several components, making a unified garment when put together. The three main parts of dirndl are;

The Dirndl Bodice

The dirndl bodice is a part of dirndl that fits tightly on the upper body. A decorative string is often adorned on the front of the bodice, and a reverse zip is attached to the back or side for a better fit. These trachten corsets are stitched down to the dirndl skirt. 

The Dirndl Skirt

Knowing the length of a dirndl skirt matters alot for buying the perfect woman’s trachten. The dirndl skirt sits on the waist, flowing down in the lower part. It is made of different materials and patterns and comes in different lengths. The skirt is worn with the petticoat to make it look even fuller. 

The  Length of Dirndl Skirt 

The length of dirndl skirt should directly be influenced by the occasion you are planning to wear. Wearing a mini dirndl to a wedding is considered inappropriate as this type of trachten skirt is reserved for casual affairs. Midi and maxi dirndl dresses provide more coverage and adequate for any formal settings. 

Occasions 

Dirndl Skirt Length

Wedding

Midi or Maxi Dirndl 

Oktoberfest

Midi Dirndl 

Oktoberfest Parties

Mini or Midi Dirndl

Summer Spring Festivals 

Midi Dirndl 

Dirndl Apron

Dirndl Apron is worn over the skirt and tied down on the waist, making a bow with the belt. These aprons are often made in contrasting colors to the skirts and bodice. The dirndl knot is a meaningful translation of the relationship status.

The position of the dirndl knot ties such it aligns with your relationship status and symbolizes old Bavarian tradition. For instance, married women tie the knot on the right, unmarried on the left, and widowed/divorced or waitresses on the back. The front is reserved for virgin women or someone who wants to conceal their relationship status. 

How Much Does a Dirndl Cost?

There is no fixed price for a dirndl outfit, ranging from a few euros to thousands. The choice of material greatly impacts the cost, ranging from affordable neon mini-shirts to expensive dirndls with silk aprons. The designer dirndl also costs thousands of euros.

Setting a realistic budget is very important when buying dirndl attire. Once you know the budget, dirndl dresses can easily be bought within the expected range. 

Fun Fact: The most expensive dirndl ever made was worth 100,000 Euros, embellished with 150,000 Swarovski crystals, and fabricated from pure wild silk. 

Where Can You Buy Dirndl?

The traditional garb for women can be bought from a physical store in Munich or a dirndl online shop. Both ways to buy dirndl have pros and cons, and after weighing all of them, you can decide where to buy dirndl. 

Pros and Cons of Online Shopping

Pros and Cons of In-store Shopping

Pros

  • Hassle-free experience 

  • Enough time to plan the look

Pros

  • Get the  authentic designs

  • Get size and quality of choice

Cons

  • May have sizing and quality issues

Cons

  • No assurance of finding the perfect fit during peak seasons.

Pros of Dirndl Shopping In Munich 

Buying a dirndl in the heart of Munich, the epicenter for Oktoberfest celebrations, considered one of the most celebrated pieces of clothing, is a unique experience.  Certainly, there are advantages and disadvantages to choosing this mode of buying. 

Buying the Most Authentic Dirndl 

There is nowhere better than buying a dirndl from where it originally belongs. Bavaria is a place in Germany where the trachten emerged, and Munich is its capital. Munich is a great place to get a traditional pair of dirndl. Munich offers diverse dirndl shopping experiences, from purchasing it from a cultural heritage store to a boutique. 

Fit Check Right in There

One of the biggest advantages of buying dirndl in-store is preventing sizing uncertainty. It saves you from getting the dirndl exchanged due to size malfunction. It also lets you check the length and quality of fabrication, justifying the price. Nothing beats the hands-touch experience!

Cons of Dirndl Shopping In Munich 

The disadvantages of shopping dirndl from a physical store include the following;

 Limited Design in Oktoberfest Season

Dirndl runs short during high-demand seasons like Oktoberfest. All the famous designs are sold rapidly, and finding the desired fit can sometimes be tough. And going to Germany and not getting what you want to buy is such a waste of money.

Experience can be Bothersome

To find the right dirndl size or style, you may have to go from store to store and incur an added cost.  Sometimes, you may not even find dirndl, especially during the high sale time, and the experience may only result in disappointment. 

Pros of Shopping Dirndl Online

Buying a dirndl dress online has major advantages, but there are also limitations to online shopping. Weighing both pros and cons helps you decide best. 

Saves From the Hassle of Roaming Around

Dirndl online shop is a great way to buy women’s Oktoberfest clothing from the comfort of your home. This mode of purchase saves you from the hassle of going to stores looking for your desired dirndl dress. 

Enough Time to Match Perfect Accessories

Shopping online means ordering early to have enough time to pack the dress. This in-time purchase gives ample time to match the perfect accessories. 

Cons of Shopping Dirndl Online

The only concern when shipping dirndl online is;

 Sizing and Quality Issues

You need to be extra attentive to look for the ongoing dirndl sales and discounts to buy the dress at the most affordable rates.

Solution: Our online store offers amazing deals and discounts. Subscribe to our store to get the notification as soon as our sale gets live. 

What Dirndl Size to Buy?

German sizes are usually used to make dirndl dresses, with alternative sizes available in the UK and USA. Some stores also provide international sizing options for the buyers’ convenience. Buying the perfect size dirndl goes beyond looking at the tag, especially from any online store. 

Knowing the Exact Measurements 

It is important to measure your self properly to get a dirndl that fits perfectly. To begin with, record the exact measurements of 

  • Bust: Measure around the fullest part of the chest by wrapping the tape horizontally. The measuring tape should be held gently without applying excessive pressure for more accuracy.

  • Waist: The dirndl dress sits tight on the lower body, and waist measurements should be taken from the narrowest part. The exact point for this measurement is slightly above the belly buttons and below the rib cage.

  • Hips: With both legs closed together, measure the fullest part of the hips. Keep the measuring tape horizontal for accuracy. 

Tip: Measure the shoulder for added accuracy and buy a size or two above if you are fuller on the upper body. 

Dirndl Shopping Guide Based on Body Types

Physique matters in the selection of a dirndl. There are five principal female body types: rectangle, inverted triangle, pear, hourglass, and apple. Not everyone fits in the standard sizing, especially petite or plus-size women. Here are some of the suggestions for dirndl purchase based on body type:

  • Apple: To elongate the torso, opt for dirndls with a high neckline and a fitted bodice. A full skirt can balance the proportions.

  • Pear: Choose dirndls with a darker bodice and a lighter-colored skirt to draw attention upwards. Embellishments on the neckline or bodice can also help.

  • Hourglass: Most dirndl styles will flatter an hourglass figure. Emphasize the waist with a belt or sash.

  • Rectangle: Create the illusion of curves with a dirndl that has a fitted bodice and a full skirt.

  • Inverted Triangle: Balance the proportions with a dirndl that has a darker skirt and a lighter bodice. Choose styles with details on the skirt to draw attention downwards.

What Accessories to Buy When Shopping Dirndl?

Dirndl shopping is incomplete without accessorizing the Dirndl look. Some of the important accessories that need to be bought for adding a flair to the women’s trachten are: 

Dirndl Blouse

The look of the trachten dresses is incomplete without the dirndl blouse, and they are primarily available in black and white. 

Shoes 

Alpine women’s dresses are usually paired with Mary Jane shoes. Other trending shoe options are block closed heels or pump fleets. 

Jewelry 

Edelweiss or pearl studs paired with the Edelweiss pendant fit the dirndl silhoutte. 

Summarizing the Dirndl Shopping Guide!

Bavarian Dirndl Dresses are the right way to dress for the Oktoberfest, and they are nothing like regular dresses. Knowing the traditional clothing components and planning a few things can help you shop in-store or online and finalize an Oktoberfest-worthy dress. This clothing comes in three different lengths, colors, and fabrics; trends are essential in making a dirndl purchase decision.

July 31, 2024 — Farhan Zahid