Befitting Oktoberfest Attire Apart from Trachten Wears

The right way to celebrate Oktoberfest is by wearing the traditional German trachten- lederhosen for men and German dirndl for women. It is the recommended choice but not compulsory. There are some other oppositions as well that make a befitting choice for the Wiesn. From regular clothes worn properly to decent formal women’s dresses and suits for men, make an apt Wiesn clothing choice.

Non-Traditional Clothing Options for Men

A rundown of some of the choices that can be worn on Wiesn other than Lederhosen includes;

1. A Shirt and Khaki Short/Chinos

Casual T-shirts are a great alternative to tracht, to stroll around Wiesn comfortably. Solid Plain t-shirts are a sophisticated choice to dress casually for the Wiesn. Black, Blue, Grey, Green, and White are trending color options to look for. Vibrant Polo shirts, plain or with patterns, are some of the best choices for the tone-down non-traditional look. Tuck the shirt in the bottom, or keep it out. Pair it with the khaki chino for a smart casual look or shorts for a casual look. Garb it with Bavarian leather shoes and socks to bring in the traditional Oktoberfest feel to the look.

2. A Dress Shirt with the Pant

Ditch the leather lederhosen but still blend in the traditional look by pairing the trachten shirt with the pants or jeans. Trachten or Lederhosen shirts come in plain white with detailing on the neck or colored checked shirt. The look wouldn’t fully translate to traditional. During the chilly Wiesn nights, add the bomber jacket to complete the look. To blend the look with the traditional theme, add accessories like German shoes or loferl to this look.

Non-Traditional Clothing Options for Women

Like men, women can also experiment with their Wiesn looks. The non-traditional outfits for women to attend Weisn include;

1. A Shirt and Pant

Shirt and Paint variants are a great choice to create a formal and casual look for the Wiesn. For a casual look, t-shirts or dress shirts tucked in paper bag pants or mom jeans are great outfit choices. Paired with the closed pumped or sling-back sandals.

2. Skirt and Shirt

Skirts are another great way to replicate the traditional German dirndl style without wearing them to Oktoberfest. Plaint with front button closure is a great option for women to be paired with a silk strip shirt. Patterned skirts like floral, available in different lengths, mini, midi, and maxi, are another great alternative to Bavarian trachten. To tie the look to Oktoberfest, make side braids.

3. Sundresses

Sundresses are a fun and cool way to do the Oktoberfest. These funky dresses come in single colors or with prints, making them a good option to wear during the Oktoberfest daytime. For cooler winter Wiesn night, layer them with a jacket or a cardigan to stay cozy. Pair them with a cool hairstyle, dirndl shoes, and accessories like an Edelweiss necklace to tie the whole look together. Add a small trachten crossbody to keep the essentials.

Add Accessories to Non-Traditional Outfit

Several accessories to play with lift the look of the non-trachten attire both for men and women. Some such accessories include;

1. Adding a statement Jewelry

It is quoted, “ You can never be fully dressed without jewelry.” Pairing the non-traditional Oktoberfest attire with jewelry such as a pearl necklace and stud, edelweiss necklace, and beer stein earning can add a layer of sophistication to the outfit.

2. Adding a Traditional Hat

Combing an outfit with a hat is a great way to show respect to the Bavarian heritage. Felt, Alpine, trenker, and jaeger featuring pins, feathers, flowers, and other accouterments are some of the style variants of the traditional German hats. Match the hat that best suits the outfit.

3. Layer with outwear

Jackets or cardigans are fun and practical accessories to dress up the outfit. Add a traditional Oktoberfest jacket featuring metal pins showcasing German heritage or a wool cardigan to match the dress.

What Not to Wear at Oktoberfest!

Even with the regular clothes, there are certain unspoken rules to the Oktoberfest. Some of the dress no’s for Oktoberfest are;

1. Trachten Holloween Costumes

Putting on a fake Halloween Oktoberfest costume to Wiesn disrespects German culture. Wearing cheap costumes at the Beerfest is considered distasteful. The authentic German lederhosen and dirndl and cheap variants can easily be differentiated.

2. Wearing Slippers

Wearing flip-flops or slippers to the Oktoberfest is another “NO.” Not only are slipper non-function shoes a choice to the Wiesn, but are also inappropriate. It shows the casual attitude of the attendees toward the fest.

Wrap Up!

Lederhosen and Dirndl are the traditional German clothes considered Oktoberfest appropriate. But these tracht are not compulsion. Regular outfits like trousers, t-shirts, sundresses, and skirts can also be donned at Wiesn. Even though there is no official dress code, it is considered inappropriate to wear slippers and cheap Halloween Oktoberfest costumes to Wiesn.

FAQs

1. Why is it called Oktoberfest?

The festival originated as the wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese. It was held on 12 October 1810, from where the term “Oktoberfest” emerged.

2. How long is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest starts in mid-September and ends before the first Sunday in October. Since 1994, the festival spans 16 days, but the festival continues if the German Unity Day ( 3 October) falls before the first Sunday.