How to wear lederhosen and dirndls: what’s new in 2014?

The big trends in Oktoberfest fashion this year are so exciting that we’ve already dedicated megabyte after megabyte of texts and photos to them: denim dirndls, ladies’ lederhosen, Bavarian bodices – we even wrote about the official 2014 beer tankard.

Yet even after typing our fingers to the bone, there are still a few things left to clear up before the Oktoberfest starts at the end of the week: now we’ve introduced the trends in lederhosen and dirndls, it’s time to talk about how they’re worn. So if you’re rocking a new look to this year’s Oktoberfest, have a read through this style guide.

Denim dirndls: Welcome to the Big Country!

The names that the designers are giving their “Jeans dirndls” are a big enough clue: Ricky, Lynn… it’s real out-west Americana. And while that doesn’t mean that you’ve to look like total trailer-park trash to pull of the look, you’ve certainly got to adapt your accessories and hairstyle to suit it. So instead of the traditional plaits and braids in “Princess Leya”-style like so many of the German girls wear with their dirndls, you’ve got to go for loose, open hair – it’s all about a natural, pure, joyous look. That rules out shoes that are too formal, too, so forget pumps and big heels and start thinking about long, lusciously warm desert evenings at a campfire with old VW busses and motorbikes and guys with guitars all around. Trouble imagining it? Watch Easy Rider…

Bavarian ankle garters: ask questions, don’t answer them

If, however, you’re not dressing down, but going upscale in terms of materials, cut, and hair, then there’s a new detail to keep your eyes open for: the ankle garter. These rediscovered items of ladies’ underwear are not without a certain erotic charge, but are still quite understated and of course generally hidden from view.

Nevertheless, they are also used to offer information about your relationship status using exactly the same system as the bows on your dirndl apron: the right-hand side means “in a relationship”, the left-hand side means single. But if you want our considered advice on how best to wear the garter, then we’d say: on the opposite side to the apron bow! Why? Because you’ll never have a better chance to confuse the lads – and it’s sometimes better to ask questions than to answer them when you don’t need to…

Shoes and bags: same as every year

You might not believe us, but every year we hear girls talking about wearing trainers to the Oktoberfest – “it’s so hard on your feet, all that standing on the benches” – or thinking of taking oversized shoulder bags “because there’s always so much you’ve got to take with you.”

Incredible. The Oktoberfest is, ladies, a party, and at party, people wear stuff that isn’t necessarily comfortable so that everyone remembers that it’s a special occasion. You can wear ballerina shoes instead of high-heels if that’s your beef – there’s simply no justification for trainers, though! And if you really think you’ve got to take all that stuff with you, then for crying out loud, just buy a larger handbag. There are plenty available made to suit even ladies’ lederhosen and dirndls, of course.

And boys, we’re looking at you too: for as long as there have been trainers, they’ve not been acceptable at the Oktoberfest – and 2014 won’t change that at all!