When you visit Munich, be sure to check out the Dirndl dresses that the well-dressed Bavarian lady is wearing this season. I was intrigued by the number of classy shops showing evening versions of the traditional Bavarian costume in their shop windows.
You or I might choose a little something by Valentino or Versace for our big night out. But, the ladies of Munich clearly enjoy sporting their traditional German clothing in gorgeous silks and velvets.
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In southern Germany, the dirndl is the outfit of choice for any formal evening events, a visit to the Opera or any social event with a traditional flavour. And of course if you are attending Oktoberfest be sure to rent or buy a Dirndl to wear as your Oktoberfest outfit, or you’ll stick out among all the locals sporting their dirndls and lederhosen.
Interesting facts about the Dirndl
- The Dirndl costume consists of a skirt, apron, tight bodice and short sleeved blouse worn underneath and perhaps a shawl or scarf at the neck.
- The Dirndl is the typical dress for waitresses and barmaids in pubs and beer gardens in Southern Germany
- The placement of the knot of the apron denotes your marital status – on the left means you’re single and available, on the right means you’re married, engaged or taken, and at the back means you’re a widow.
- The Oktoberfest, the famous beer and folk festival held in Munich (in October since you ask) is a favourite place to wear your dirndl for tourists as well as locals – even Paris Hilton wore one when she was at the Oktoberfest.
- This is not just a fashion your Mum would wear – the teenagers really get into it as well and the fashions change every year.
Where to buy or rent a dirndl in Munich
If you’re in Munich for the Oktoberfest and want to know where to buy a dirndl, new or second-hand, it will probably cost you from €100 up to hundreds or thousands for a top end or bespoke Dirndl – these are some places to buy or rent your dirndl in Munich.
- Lola Paltinger/Lollipop and Alpenrock – high fashion by former Vivienne Westwood designer (where Paris & Salma like to shop)
- Trachten Peterandl – Custom made, high end dirndls
- Loden-Fry – Top Munich Department Store with a dirndl department
- Bavarian Outfitters – a selection of dirndls and lederhosen to rent
Other Munich articles to enjoy
Visiting the Munich Christmas Markets – Podcast
Drinking Feuerzangenbowle to warm the spirits in Munich
Postcard from the Christmas Markets in Munich
Munich Resources
We stayed in Munich at Hotel Falkenturm, a comfortable, 2 star hotel which is well-located for sightseeing – read my review of Hotel Falkenturm here
Stay at the comfortable pension style Hotel Falkenturm in Munich
The guidebook I used on this trip was the pocket sized DK Eyewitness Top 10 guide to Munich, which I found ideal for sightseeing if you are there for a short time.
Need a guidebook for Munich? We recommend the DK Eyewitness Top 10 Munich guide
Official Munich Tourism Website
This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com
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Monika Zechetmayr
Tuesday 30th of July 2013
Dirndl in Bavaria are also worn to weddings and those will cost you a few E 1000s as they are most elaborate and decorated. These are found foremost in the more traditional Alpine, Oberbayens, areas, villages.
Heather Cowper
Tuesday 30th of July 2013
@Monika I think they are beautiful and great that traditional dress still has a place in modern life
Dirndl – oder doch nicht? | Meine Mode - "Fesche" Fashion
Sunday 22nd of April 2012
[...] für Männlein als auch für Weiblein Pflicht. Ich trage nun schon seit Jahren mein blau-weißes Dirndl und ich glaube, es hat so langsam ausgedient. Ich überlege dieses Jahr dieses Jahr die Tradition [...]
There's much more to Munich than the beer! | Heather on her travels
Tuesday 27th of December 2011
[...] The latest dirndl fashions in Munich Visiting the Munich Christmas Markets – podcast Empty splendour in the Residenz palace in Munich [...]
Heather Cowper
Saturday 18th of December 2010
@ London photographer. As you say the dirndl was once what you wore every day but now it's a fashion form. I think the ones I saw were for party wear but I didn't see too many tourists wearing them. I think tourists would buy them for the Oktoberfest though
London Photographer
Saturday 18th of December 2010
Nice Dirndl! The original ones a much more plain. The ones shown are for tourists...