Are you looking to buy a Dirndl dress for Oktoberfest or for an intimate party? And not sure what to look for in a traditional German Dirndl dress? You have come to the right place; at Dirndl Online Shop, we create bespoke Dirndl dresses that are the talk of the town.
Dirndl Dress
If you have never bought the traditional Bavarian Dirndl dress, then this guide is especially for you. You can go wrong with a lot while purchasing a Dirndl for the first time – and a few things that, if you get them right, will ensure your chic Oktoberfest look and make you look like an Alpine princess – yes, a Dirndl dress is that powerful.
A Bavarian Dirndl dress is a three-part outfit that includes an Apron, Blouse, and a Dress.
The characteristics of a dirndl outfit, including fit, sizes, patterns, colors, fabric and other materials, and prices – are supposed to be unknown for a person buying a dirndl for the first time.
To make it a little easier for you, we have combined all the information you need to buy a Dirndl dress below in questions and answers. Go through the checklist, and you will surely be able to rock the Oktoberfest.
What is a Dirndl?
Understanding a Dirndl is a bit tricky because a Dirndl as you need it is not only a dress but an entire outfit. It is made up of a Dirndl dress – which includes a skirt and a bodice – a Dirndl blouse, and an Apron.
When you buy Dirndl, we recommend checking whether it is a dress or the whole outfit. Some of the sellers offer three-piece Dirndl outfit packages. At the same time, others sell dresses, blouses, and aprons individually – you can also find two-piece combinations, which comprise a dress plus an apron.
What Dirndl Design Elements Are Important?
Not only a Dirndl outfit is made up of three parts – but they also have a range of other design elements that are a must. First and foremost, the bodice of the dress must have a traditional lace-up front – mainly for ease and comfort; it also has a zip-up back.
Moving forward, a German Dirndl dress is low cut; still, some designer versions go higher, the traditional Dirndl dress is made to be worn with a blouse.
Coming towards the Dirndl blouses – a Dirndl blouse should have frills or other embellishments around the neckline as it will be on the show, so will be the arms and shoulders. Moreover, a Dirndl dress has somewhat narrow shoulders as the blouses are doing most of the work here.
Lastly, the apron should always match the dress – you can either go for contrast or complementary color – and it should end around over an inch over the hem.
What Dirndl Colors and Patterns are Traditional?
Dirndl dresses and outfits are available in a multitude of variety in colors and patterns. The restrictions about what you can wear/pair with a Dirndl have gone far less strict in recent decades as more and more fashion designers have entered the field.
However, most designs still retain traditional Bavarian and Alpine elements, which matter the most. Building on that, you will surely see a lot of checkered pattern Dirndl dresses, small square gingham in most traditional white and blue or white and red. Additionally, purples and pinks are also classic Dirndl colors/
Floral design and patterns are also traditional and have been trending recently. They range in pastel colors from cream to taupe, beige, peach, and grey. We advise you to steer clear of big checks and garish shades.
Which Materials are used in a Dirndl?
Dirndls traditionally are made from cotton; however, if you are buying a Dirndl dress today, you will find they are mostly made from polyester-cotton blends as they are; washable, hard-wearing, and most of all, breathable. So, you don’t have to spend your energy for hours looking for pure-cotton versions.
We advise you to stay away from anything that has too high of a polyester proportion, as it will make the Dirndl seem cheaper. Also, Dirndls with acrylics or modal is more likely to be cheap knock-offs and not a real thing.
Typically, cotton or linen fabric is used for aprons, but they might also include other materials. Fabrics that give them a sheer look or one of a kind sheen. To be precise, the apron and its fabrics are practically as important as the Dirndl dress itself, as aprons are the ley piece that most people see, so we recommend going for a festive, vibrant, and eye-catching apron.
How does Dirndl dress sizing work?
When it comes to a traditional full-length dirndl, usually they come down to the ankles.
Dirndls are normally made in German dress sizes; the standard size starts from 32 – XXS in general international sizing, 28’-22’-32’ – through 48 – 41’-32’-43 or the two sizes above XXL.
One can also find plus sizes up to or into the 50s. When it comes to fitting, a dirndl keeps the midriff looking-slender and accentuates the chest and hips. The dirndl dress achieves this with its low-cut dress, shaped skirt, and puffy blouse – so essentially, there is no need to go down a size. Smaller sizes can become quite uncomfortable at Oktoberfest or your private parties when you factor in the liter beer steins and warmer tents atmospheres.
What is the appropriate Dirndl dress length?
Let us discuss the dirndl dress length, historically dirndl dresses were worn to reach the ankles, but nowadays, even the traditional versions end mid-calf that roughly makes 80cm.
Mostly the best and finest fashion dirndl dresses are just over the knee length – 60 to 70 cm – which is accepted as perfect dirndl length by Bavarians.
From time to time, younger girls will wear a Dirndl dress that ends just above the knees – 50cm – but this is the limit. Anything shorter than that is seen as distasteful. Dirndls are no mini-skirts, and authentic dirndl stores won’t even stock any dress shorter than 50cm.
What is a realistic price range for a Dirndl dress?
The absolute lowest you could go price-wise and still expect an authentic Dirndl is around $100 for the main three pieces of a Dirndl dress. However, we recommend that with all suitable accessories one should budget around a couple of hundreds of dollars, which shall include packaging, postage, etc., with a dirndl dress which comes with a blouse, apron and a skirt.
How to properly accessorize a Dirndl dress?
Shoes, smart shoes are typically paired with Dirndl outfits; leather pumps are the more on the classic side of the options. However, lovely ballerinas will also work fine.
Some of the ladies also pair the dirndl dresses with floral print trainers, and while most older women appreciate the added support of a bootee, the classic and traditional options are still a low heel pump.
When it comes to jewelry for dirndl dresses, mostly ladies prefer to finish off their décolleté with a plunging necklace, shaped in heart or floral pendants – especially the most famous edelweiss blooms design are the most popular.
The other accessories for a Dirndl dress include a bag, you can either go for a leather or a felt bag, or you can even go small. Opting for a smaller bag can be done for traditional and practical reasons as the bigger bags are not allowed in Oktoberfest tents in Munich.
Clutch bags and smaller shoulder bags are the best way to go.
Bavarian felt hats at Oktoberfest are also famous among ladies; depending on the face structure, these can prove to be a perfect addition to the overall ensemble. Also, when you need to cover up in cooler evenings at Oktoberfest, gorgeous cardigans can become the best Dirndl dress accessory.
We at Dirndl Online Shop sincerely hope that this question and answer blog has helped you with your Dirndl dress queries and given you a bit of clarity about the ingenious garment. So, when you decide to buy dirndl dress feel free to contact us for further more detailed questions.
Dirndls for Sale
Please do check out our impressive Dirndl collection at our online store Dirndl Online Shop, where we keep a selection of trendy and gorgeous Dirndls, and that too at amazing discount prices. Feel free to contact us to buy the dirndls of your dreams directly for our authentic dirndl shop.









