“Of course you’re going to need to get a dirndl”. “A what sorry?” “A dirndl, you know the kind of dress that you see everyone wearing at the Oktoberfest?”. “Just to wear to Oktoberfest? What if I don’t go to Oktoberfest?” “Nooooo Emma, you will be wearing a dirndl lots of times. In your village, at your children’s school, at many other festivals….”
The above is a small snippet of conversation that I had with our Relocation Agent shortly after we moved here. I thought she was joking. It turns out she wasn’t. People really do wear traditional dress here (or Tracht as it’s more commonly known in these parts) – not on an everyday basis (although you often see older ladies and waitresses wearing them every day, and it’s quite common to spot men wearing lederhosen as well), but it’s worn to many many different occasions, not just the bier fests, and you will stick out if you aren’t wearing it!
I have yet to buy one for myself, (which I will of course report back on when I do), but today was the turn of The Six Year Old, who needs one for a History Day at school next week.
Stepping into our first Trachten (traditional wear) Shop I was quite taken aback by the rows and rows of gorgeous designs on display. Forget any kind of cheap Benny Hill image you have in your head of this outfit, these beautiful handmade dresses and intricate blouses will set you back a pretty penny! As well as a myriad of colours, they come in different lengths too – long for the older lady or the more conservative, just above or below the knee for the younger lady, and a shorter length for teenagers with sickeningly perfect figures (or for tourists to take back home for fancy dress)!
A word of warning… never ever tie a dirndl bow at the back. No sooner had I managed to blackmail The 6 Year Old into her very cute little dirndl and stood back to admire my beautiful little Heidi, than the shopkeeper came rushing over to undo the bow and rapidly re-tie it at the front. Tying it at the back means you are widowed apparently, which for a 6 year old is quite impressive if not a little sad. To the left implies you are single, to the right means you are spoken for!
Heels are not usually worn with them either (not that The 6 Year Old need worry about that)… I was quite puzzled by this until a friend pointed out that you need something flat and comfortable to wear as you will be spending a lot of the time stamping about and dancing on a wooden bench!!
Much to my husband’s relief (but my disappointment) he can get away without a full lederhosen set. Apparently most men of his age just wear a checked shirt with jeans, but little does The 4 Year Old realise that he does need a set! I will take him shopping for them soon enough, and I can’t wait!!
Not the best picture, but we ended up with the one on the right (obviously, because the others would have been far too big!)…
(edited to add that apparently if your bow is tied at the front, you are announcing to the world that you are indeed a virgin ;) ! )
“High on a hill was a lonely goatherd leidl o d’leidl o d’lei hei ho…” Sorry I couldn’t resist. Sounds like a lot of fun though. Waiting for the photos.
Now I am going to be singing that when trying one on! :)
Thanks for joining in! Love the post, I remember going to get my first Falleras dress in Valencia, there were also lots of rules and regulations
Happy to! I love the different customs in different countries. Haven’t heard of a Falleras dress before, off to google I go :)
You MUST post a photo of your little boy in his lederhosen when you get them – I can only imagine that the Cute-ometer will shoot through the roof!
Definitely! I need it for blackmailing material for his teenage years! Emma :)
So you have to promise to post a photo of yourself when you get yours…. Okay?
Hmmmm….No promises!! :)
ooh how interesting. I love that kind of thing!
Thank you, so do I. Bet it takes me months to choose mine as there’s so much selection! :)
I think it’s funny the men are excused and are allowed to wear jeans and checked shirt!
I rather like the outfits. I want to see a photo when you eventually buy yours.
I think if you were actually Bavarian you would wear them, but there’s not much point in buying them if you aren’t here forever, they are more extortionate than the dirndl’s! :)
They are gorgeous aren’t they? I’ve been fascinated by those shops when I’ve spotted them. Would love one, but would never get to wear it over here. Feeling every envious of your daughter.
Thanks Erica! They are so pretty! You might get some use out of one, if you attend plenty of bierfests and fancy dress parties?? :)
Oooh, can’t wait to see photos! Will be interested in hearing about the cost – every one I have ever priced was outrageously expensive! (However, when in Rome….) I didn’t know that about the sashes, though. Learn something new every day!
Thank you! Luckily R’s was quite reasonable as they had a sale on children’s dirndl’s by chance! The cheapest one I saw in the adult selection though was at least 150Euros!! :)
It’s lovely, do you get a matching one? I like the tartan. Ute laughed at me when it said she needed Lederhosen. I wasn’t far off!!!
Thank you! I would have tried the matching one on except it was made for a stick insect, plus it’s too long…. Aha, but I have seen girls wearing lederhosen over here, it’s quite fashionable to wear cute little short ones apparently (not that I will be getting any!!!)… :) xx
I am expecting the ‘von Trap’ family to meet me when I next arrive at Munich airport! Mx
Mum, you never know! ;) xxx