Folk-Fashion: How to Dress Like a Bavarian

Whether you are attending Oktoberfest or were invited to a traditional German wedding, you’ll need some authentic dress. From lederhosen to dirndls, these traditional garments are not the kitschy costumes you might expect. Even the best dressed Bavarians will don their folksy frocks for an array of occasions.

Classic Coats

Authentically, the Bavarian Sweater (called a Janker) is reserved exclusively for men, but this style has modern adaptations for women as well. A stiff wool coat with military details, it features prominent brass buttons and a high neckline. This is a jacket that will look just as good over your lederhosen as it will paired with a dress shirt and jeans for a casual day around town.

Darling Dirndls

Of Alpine peasant origins, a dirndl consists of a full skirt, tight bodice and an apron worn over a blouse. A common costume, every woman within the Bavarian border owns one of these beauties. As much conventional as it is cool, today’s Dirndls come in a variety of colors and styles, so while every lady at Oktoberfest maybe wearing one of these dresses, you can still stand out. Love the style but looking for something that skews casual? Try a dirndl-inspired blouse you can pair with a simple skirt for a night at the biergarten.

Ancestral Accessories

Complete your costume or bare your Bavarian pride with traditional accessories that complement any and every outfit. Consider a feathered hat to dress up a T-shirt and jeans or a felt flap purse stitched with style as your go-to bag. You don’t need to be within the Bavarian border to don these ancestrally-inspired accessories.

As they say ‘when in Rome (– or Munich)…’ do as the Bavarians do and dress up in  true Alpine tradition.

"Clothed in a dirndl or lederhosen you are always dressed to perfection." - Bavarian Saying