Apr 1, 2015

Posted by in Bavaria, Dirndl and Lederhosen | Comments Off on Long days, short dirndls

Long days, short dirndls

Long days, short dirndls

Besides beautiful blossom and cows heading out to pasture, springtime in the Alps can only mean one thing: longer days and shorter dirndls! As soon as the snows have melted and the valleys start to get sunlight, it’s time to pack away those long winter models and start enjoying the balmy temperatures. In the cities, too, such as Munich, spring is where the girls start to show off their legs with midi and mini-dirndls. Our rule of thumb? If the temperature is approaching 70 Fahrenheit, the dirndls will soon be heading below 70cm!

Quick refresher course: the skirts on ultra-traditional dirndls and original Bavarian regional costume pieces are generally 90cm long; many of the most popular fashion dirndls clock in at 70cm or 60cm – the “midi length” which generally stops around the knee; 50cm dirndls are “mini length” and so the hem will usually sit somewhere above the knee (and further up the thigh the taller the lady wearing it happens to be…). As far as we’re concerned, anything below 60cm is a “short dirndl” (and anything below 50cm is really a little too short to really be a dirndl…).

There have been all sorts of controversies about dirndl length in recent years, which are actually part of the wider discussion about the extent to which traditional clothing has been co-opted as a fashion item. The battle lines were once drawn between traditionalists (“every centimetre below 90cm is one too many!”) and the modernists (“we’re reinvigorating Bavarian fashion!”), but in recent years, things have got far less controversial. There are still plenty of Bavarians who would rather see dirndls at least a little over knee-length – especially at weddings or other important events – but most will now accept that younger women looking to follow fashion might opt for something shorter.

So if you’re looking for a short spring and summer dirndl that you can wear to summer beer festivals and – of course – to the Oktoberfest, here are a few of our favourite designs.

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Flower azure, 50cm

Flower azure, German mini dirndl 50cm

This piece is an unbeatable mix of tradition, fashion, and comfort. The check patterns, floral border on the apron, and the colours are classic Bavarian, while the 50cm-length skirt and light polyester-cotton fabric are perfect for warmer days and party wear.

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Jolina 60cm

Jolina retro blue, jeans dirndl 60cm

While the just-above-knee length is more traditional, the denim material marks this dirndl out as an up-to-the-minute fashion piece. The feminine details on the bodice and apron offer a wonderful contrast to the slightly rougher, more boyish look of denim material: a dirndl just at home frolicking through alpine meadows as swaying on an Oktoberfest bench.

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Lalita black, 60cm

Lalita black, midi-dirndl 60cm

This 2015 new-season piece is simply stunning and bound to become one of our favourites: the strong black, shocking pink, and brilliant white combine to make an unforgettable impression. With the apron and skirt-hem resting just above the knee, this fashion piece is suggestive and yet demure, while the bodice manages to combine a plunging neckline with modest support. Truly, this is a dirndl for everyone, from mountain girls at village knees-ups through to city ladies out for some post-Oktoberfest nightlife.

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