Dirndl Blouses: More choice than ever before

When you’re buying your first dirndl, one of the things you probably think about the least is the blouse. And yet, when you start to look more closely, there’s a whole world of choice in dirndl blouses: sleeve-length, neckline, what kind of lace decoration to take. There are even off-shoulder blouses for the very adventurous. This year, however, there are so many new additions to Oktoberfest blouses, that we thought we’d dedicate an entire piece to Bavarian under-dirndl braziers.

Colour

Until a few years back, blouses for dirndls came in white, white, and white. Then the trend towards darker dirndls came along, and you could get blouses in black to match that. Still, that was it. Other choices – such as how much décolleté to show and what length sleeves, were determined by the requirement of the dirndl itself.

This year, however, the blouse itself is becoming an item. You’ll find colours making inroads into the classic models – on the ruffs around the arms or bust, for example, and even some feature pieces in traditional check. “A checked blouse?” we hear you cry, “Won’t that clash with the dirndl?”

Well, yes. But these new pieces are actually meant as features in and of themselves, to be worn with that other next big thing in ladies’ Oktoberfest fashion: the short lederhosen. Basically, think country-and-western style denim shorts with checked shirts tied into a knot above the tummy: now replace those jeans with leather shorts and that shirt with a cropped blouse – that’s the look. If you want to avoid showing so much stomach, you can always add a country-style bodice on top of the blouse: they are set to be big this year too.

Basically, it’s about rethinking dirndl blouses and promoting them from third-most important thing safter dirndl dress and apron up to the other crucial element – after the shorts. And don’t be put off by the lace and frilly details: it can be worn as a full top without looking like you forgot to put one on due to the pattern – you’d be surprised what difference the check can make.

Ruffles, flounces, and the rest.

Even if dirndl blouses are still third on your list of priorities as part of a traditional dirndl outfit, you’ll find more to choose from this year. The trend is very clearly headed back towards detail and towards length – which matches the new focus in dirndl dresses on mid-length models at over 60cm. That means that we girls get to go all girly and compare lace patterns, ruffled cuffs, and neckline trims: since dirndls, and thus blouses, are getting bigger, there is simply more space to have fun.

And don’t worry about looking frumpy: it’s called “leaving things to the imagination” – and it’s sexy!