How to Dress For Oktoberfest
Around 70% of the visitors will be in full traditional bavarian attire known as Tracht. Men typically wear lederhosen and Women are in traditional dirndl dress.
Dressing up in traditional clothing isn't required to attend Oktoberfest but authentic clothing will help you blend in better, feel less like a tourist and add to the festive mood.
Men's Oktoberfest Outfits -
For men outfit at Oktoberfest will have a light shirt, Lederhosen ( Bavarian-style leather shorts) with suspenders, classic long socks, alpine hat and sturdy Bavarian shoes.
Wear a light long-sleeved button-up shirt but it should be a button-down shirt either way. Checkered is the most traditional but white is also popular.
Lederhosen are a type of traditional leather or suede breeches with suspenders attached, they are usually brown in colour. They usually extend to or just past the knees. Authentic lederhosen made of deer skin are durable but can be quite expensive. Goat hide can be an affordable option.
Bavarian socks are knee-length cotton or wool socks. Off-white is traditional, but light brown and grey will also work. Many men wear the socks pulled up to the knee, but slouching them down a few inches above the ankle is more traditional. If possible, make the socks match your shirt.
Bavarian men wear traditional shoes called Haferl Shoe, these shoes are characterized by their dark leather, sideways lacing, and thick soles. If you cannot find authentic "Haferl" footwear, pick out a pair of black or dark brown leather loafers. Also if you are on budget brown leather tracht sneakers are a great alternative.
An alpine hat doesn’t have to be a priority if you have budget get one by all means. The Alpine hat is the traditional look for guys. It will typically have a single pheasant feather on the side for decoration. It has a peaked top and wide brim. A band is usually wrapped around the base of the hat.
Women's Oktoberfest Outfits -
Dirndl refers to a dress with a tight bodice, featuring an often deep rectangular or round neckline, a wide high-waisted skirt, and an apron. The bavarian dirndl -- a dress worn with a blouse, bodice, full skirt and apron that goes at least to your knees and comfortable shoes. A dirndl can come either all in one piece or in two pieces with a separate bodice and skirt.
Traditional blouses are relatively high-cut, but low-cut peasant blouses are also popular at Oktoberfest. The blouse is usually white, but it can also be checkered and colour for your blouse really depends on what colour dirndl you get. The blouse material is of cambric, linen, or lace.
A traditional dirndl is a specific type of dress with a full skirt and a low, sleeveless top. It was originally ankle-length but in more modern designs, is mid-length accented with an apron. An authentic dirndl dress will be wrapped in an apron and tied with a bow on the front.
The position of the Dirndl bow supposedly has the following significance.
Bow on the right: The person is married or spoken for.
Bow on the left: The person is single.
Bow in the back: The person is widowed, waitressing or is a child.
Wear sheer nylons and some knee-high white stockings over them, Traditionally, these white socks have a bow on them. The bow should match the dirndl.
Mary-Jane style shoes. The most common shoes are either standard ballerina flats or flat with a strap across are the traditional look. You can wear high-heels if you want to, but it's better to plan for comfort, since you'll be moving around a lot.
