How to wear a dirndl

So you’ve bought your traditional dirndl and are on your way to the Oktoberfest. That’s good, because that means you’ve got almost everything covered – almost. When you’re stood in front of the mirror, you might start asking yourself how to tie up the strings on the apron, how to do your hair, and which accessories to wear. If you’re unsure about how to wear a dirndl, here’s a fool-proof guide.

Hairstyle

Although there are a range of hairstyles you can wear with your dirndl, whatever you do, make sure you involve plaits, braids, or at least a hairband. You don’t necessarily need to go the whole hog and look like Princess Leia, but simply leaving your hair hanging around your shoulders just doesn’t fit with the whole dirndl look. The simple fact of the matter is that, back in the days when the dirndl was worn as an everyday item of clothing, loose hair was seen as a sign of loose morals! And that means that the typical styles worn with dirndls are based around ponytails and plaits tied in bunches: so think back to bored days spent plaiting your or someone else’s hair in primary school and get creative with ribbons, bows, and whatever else you fancy!

It may sound like an urban myth, but believe us, it’s true: girls who tie the bow of their apron strings on the right are considered to be married, engaged, or otherwise uninterested in making male acquaintances; a bow tied on the left is a sign that the girl is single and, by somewhat sexist extensions, looking to talk to men. It’s like the “traffic light system” used in some student parties, and has its advantages: group of rowdy, drunken, annoying guys approaching your table? A brief readjustment and their interest may decline rapidly…

Almost no readers here, by the way, will have need of the other two ways of tying the bow: in the middle at the front means that you’re a virgin; at the back means that you’re either widowed or a waitress!

Jewellery

Worried about whether earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet might be a bit OTT? Don’t be! The whole point about the Oktoberfest is to decorate yourself and your accessories: handbags can be embroidered or hung with pendants, as can aprons and a lot else. Our only advice would be to steer clear of large items such as loop earrings, which could prove dangerous with all of that dancing on the benches… In summation: wear as many bits of jewellery as you like, but no one piece should be dominant.