How long should a dirndl really be?
February 6, 2012 11:35 AM Subscribe
How do I wear a dirndl at Oktoberfest?
So I want to go to Oktoberfest in Munich and I want to wear a dirndl there. I'm not Bavarian or even German, though, so I'd like not to embarass myself or annoy anyone by doing so.
It seems like most women do wear dirndls so I wouldn't be out of place. I'm not sure what kind of dirndls are acceptable to wear, though. Every website I've looked at says that a long, traditional dirndl is the only way to go, but most of the pictures I can find of Oktoberfest seem to show women in the short and sexy co-ed style of dirndl.
The issue I am having is that, while I certainly don't want to wear a skanky Halloween costume-type dirndl, I prefer the look of a knee-length (so not anything racy) dirndl to the traditional ankle-length one. If I wear a knee-length dirndl is this something nobody will give a second thought to, or do I need to go with a traditional, longer length so that I'm not regarded as an annoying tourist?
Yes, this very in advance and yes, I may be overthinking. I'm 30ish if that matters. Thank you!
So I want to go to Oktoberfest in Munich and I want to wear a dirndl there. I'm not Bavarian or even German, though, so I'd like not to embarass myself or annoy anyone by doing so.
It seems like most women do wear dirndls so I wouldn't be out of place. I'm not sure what kind of dirndls are acceptable to wear, though. Every website I've looked at says that a long, traditional dirndl is the only way to go, but most of the pictures I can find of Oktoberfest seem to show women in the short and sexy co-ed style of dirndl.
The issue I am having is that, while I certainly don't want to wear a skanky Halloween costume-type dirndl, I prefer the look of a knee-length (so not anything racy) dirndl to the traditional ankle-length one. If I wear a knee-length dirndl is this something nobody will give a second thought to, or do I need to go with a traditional, longer length so that I'm not regarded as an annoying tourist?
Yes, this very in advance and yes, I may be overthinking. I'm 30ish if that matters. Thank you!
Just buy it when you get there. Every department store has a selection of Dirndls, especially around Oktoberfest time, and there are a lot of specialty stores as well. You'll be able to get a feel for what you like and what you don't (and what you're willing to spend -- I've had friends get a full Dirndl with blouse and apron for EUR40, but you can easily go north of a thousand euros if you care to).
posted by kdar at 11:42 AM on February 6, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by kdar at 11:42 AM on February 6, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: It's totally cool to wear a dirndl at Oktoberfest, whether you're German or not.
Seconding kdar. Unless you're at the way low end or the way high end of the standard European size range, the dirndl for you will be waiting in Munich. Breiter is the place I'm most familiar with that sells traditional clothing.
The just-below-the-knee dirndl is absolutely OK. Be sure to get a full underskirt, because that makes the line glamorous rather than frumpy.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:20 PM on February 6, 2012
Seconding kdar. Unless you're at the way low end or the way high end of the standard European size range, the dirndl for you will be waiting in Munich. Breiter is the place I'm most familiar with that sells traditional clothing.
The just-below-the-knee dirndl is absolutely OK. Be sure to get a full underskirt, because that makes the line glamorous rather than frumpy.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:20 PM on February 6, 2012
Best answer: Knee length is great, just make sure you are wearing sensible, alm-wandering cow-milking shoes with it. Avoid shiny, avoid pink purple and orange especially if you're aiming at the cheap end of the market, and avoid buying it online from a sex shop in Amsterdam (this happened) and the locals will embrace you. Also avoid the Hofbrauhaus tent, TOO MUCH embracing there.
posted by runincircles at 12:27 PM on February 6, 2012
posted by runincircles at 12:27 PM on February 6, 2012
Angermaier, which is pretty middle-of-the-road, is showing mostly knee-length dirndls, so it looks like wherever you go you'll have your pick. My cool artist friend recommends Weis'n Tracht und Mehr as the place where the cool people go. Also, she says, more affordable. They seem to have a bunch of stores per the website.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:34 PM on February 6, 2012
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:34 PM on February 6, 2012
Don't bother to buy online. I promise: not only do department stores have dirndls (look for "Tracht," which more or less means "traditional clothing" in this context), but there are specialty stores and there'll also be plenty of temporary pop-up stores that will be selling (generally cheap) stuff just for the festival. You'll be much happier if you can try dirndls on in person and make sure you like them before you buy any, and there will be no shortage of options in any style.
Weis'n Tracht und Mehr
"Wies'n Tracht und Mehr." (Wies'n is the local name for Oktoberfest (held on the Theresienwiese.))
posted by ubersturm at 12:43 PM on February 6, 2012 [1 favorite]
Weis'n Tracht und Mehr
"Wies'n Tracht und Mehr." (Wies'n is the local name for Oktoberfest (held on the Theresienwiese.))
posted by ubersturm at 12:43 PM on February 6, 2012 [1 favorite]
Thanks, ubersturm! My spelling in German is atrocious, but at least I got it right in the link.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:53 PM on February 6, 2012
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:53 PM on February 6, 2012
So I want to go to Oktoberfest in Munich and I want to wear a dirndl there. I'm not Bavarian or even German, though, so I'd like not to embarass myself or annoy anyone by doing so.
That's impossible (the not annoying anyone thing).
Authentic, decent quality dirndls aren't cheap, your best bet is probably to buy one secondhand which will cost between 100 and 200 euros. There is a secondhand store on the corner of augustenstr and theresienstr that sells dirndls during Oktoberfest. Their prices and selection is pretty good and the ladies there will tell you exactly which dirndl is right for you. You also need an apron, a blouse and a dirndl bra.
posted by snownoid at 2:16 PM on February 6, 2012
That's impossible (the not annoying anyone thing).
Authentic, decent quality dirndls aren't cheap, your best bet is probably to buy one secondhand which will cost between 100 and 200 euros. There is a secondhand store on the corner of augustenstr and theresienstr that sells dirndls during Oktoberfest. Their prices and selection is pretty good and the ladies there will tell you exactly which dirndl is right for you. You also need an apron, a blouse and a dirndl bra.
posted by snownoid at 2:16 PM on February 6, 2012
dirndl bra? Google article looks suspiciously similar to push-up bra. Is there a difference?
posted by Cranberry at 2:22 PM on February 6, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Cranberry at 2:22 PM on February 6, 2012 [1 favorite]
Question for all of you saying not to go online- there are used, very nice looking dirndl's on ebay for $100-$200. Any reason not to go for one of those?
posted by small_ruminant at 2:35 PM on February 6, 2012
posted by small_ruminant at 2:35 PM on February 6, 2012
Yes, it's a low-cut push-up bra, often a rather extreme one (depending on how much padding and pushing you need to achieve the typical dirndl cleavage).
posted by snownoid at 2:38 PM on February 6, 2012
posted by snownoid at 2:38 PM on February 6, 2012
small_ruminant: dirndls are supposed to fit tightly and it's impossible to tell from a picture whether a dirndl will be just right or too tight. Also, there are many different types and if you want your dirndl to flatter your body, you need one that has just the right cut which isn't easy to figure out if you've never owned a dirndl before.
posted by snownoid at 2:49 PM on February 6, 2012
posted by snownoid at 2:49 PM on February 6, 2012
I went to Oktoberfest and it seemed like everyone young and old was wearing a Dirndl. I would get it while you're there so that it can double as a souvenir from your trip.
posted by fromageball at 3:10 PM on February 6, 2012
posted by fromageball at 3:10 PM on February 6, 2012
do you sew? do you know someone who sews? there are patterns!
posted by miss patrish at 11:23 PM on February 6, 2012
posted by miss patrish at 11:23 PM on February 6, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Polychrome at 11:38 AM on February 6, 2012