Raise your steins in style with the Belle’s ultimate guide to Fesch Fest Fashion—your ultimate lookbook for what to wear (and what to avoid) at Oktoberfest, Volksfest, Viehscheidfest, and Almabtriebfest. From classic dirndls to faux pas you’ll want to dodge, we’ve got the dos and don’ts to keep you looking Fesch in every tent.
Prost Y’all!
As I strolled through the fest tents at Stuttgart’s Cannstatter Volksfest, looking all cute in my dirndl, I overheard two American men discussing modern inventions.
One said, “I think the dirndl is the greatest modern invention.”
Then the other responded, “Then next, I’d have to say the car.”
When I went to Oktoberfest with my Finnish friends, a usually very polite, sweet Fin said, “This is like the promised land — There’s cleavage everywhere!” It’s a bit ridiculous and entertaining that men on both sides of the Atlantic are openly amazed at cleavage…as if they haven’t seen it often since they were nine years old. My Finnish friend explained, “Usually, you see cleavage and it’s an accident and you try not to be obvious when you look, but here, the girls just put it out there and its okay to look!”
I have to say, there’s not much difference between German country fashion and American country fashion. You’ve got Lederhosen shorts in Germany and Daisy Dukes in America. Square dancing dresses in America look awfully similar to the dirndls of Germany. Americans and Germans have expertly found ways of turning the native attire into something sexy.
I’d traveled from Stuttgart to Munich, to Mayrhofen, and Innsbruck, scoping out the best in traditional Bavarian fashion by the time I made it to Fussen. While trying on a petticoat under my dirndl in a Fussen shop, I tried to save a cute Italian girl from making a bad dirndl purchase. But she gave me an attitude and said, “It’s possible to wear it this way.” So you’ll probably see her in her backwards pink dirndl that smashes her boobs with her bow in the back signifying she’s a window when her boyfriend is right next to her. I thought maybe I should give a little insight on Fesch Fest Fashion Do’s and Don’ts to keep you looking fesch (that means dashing and sassy) at every fest!
You’re free to submit your suggestions and comments too!
Fesch Fest Fashion Dos and Don’ts
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| Hayden’s got the right idea! |
DO: Rock a cute hat
DON’T: Overload with costume accessories.
You don’t have to buy all the traditional jewelry, hats, pretzels, etc, at the souvenir shop. As in life, less is more.
DO Midi-Dirndl — The knees are always covered!
Some say everything else looks cheap and costume! But I think, as with everything, there’s a way to do mini dirdles right too. But you can’t go wrong with the midi.
DON’T: Mini-Dirndl
No one needs to see your hoo-ha while you’re on the table dancing to Bon Jovi in the Hippodrome. All Dirndls that stop far above the knees — please resend to your schrunk (closet) or donate to the Rote Kreuz (Red Cross second-hand store). There’s a time and place for everything, but maybe dancing on a table, riding carnival rides, or a cattle drive isn’t the best place for a mini-dirndl.
DO: Wear high heels and boots with your Dirndl.
I’ve seen everything from Chucks, ballerina flats, and Keds, but elegant pumps or peep toes are a perfect match for knee-length dirndl. Make sure they won’t keep you from comfortably dancing all night, though. I wore my favorite western boots and was complimented all weekend. Sexy tall boots are also a do.
DON’T: Wear the wrong shoes.
Please, no clunky sneakers
DO: Nontraditional Accessories
Traditional accessories are a 200-year-old standard. However, this year, trendy, modern accessories like clutches, statement jewelry, and high heels set a new standard for Dirndls.
More Dos
Do: Double Aprons
Double-layering your apron is a creative genius idea, so long as the aprons are not overly decorated. Sequins and embroidery over, yes, but with discretion!
Do: Embrace New Traditions
How you tie your apron bow matters!
Traditionally, married women had different dirndls than single gals, but a new tradition is sweeping Bavaria; How you tie the apron bow on the dirndl indicates your marital status:
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| Photo: Getty Images |
If you are engaged or married, tie it on the right side.
For the single and free, tie your apron to the left side.
If you are widowed, the apron gets tied at the back.
Do: Braids.
I’ve seen the traditional two braids pinned up, the single side braids, and the two ponytail braids. Very cute.
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| Photo: Getty Images |
Do: Forgo the dirndl; Girls in Lederhosen rock!
While a dirndl is a traditional staple, if you have already gotten good use out of your dress, go ahead and splurge on some sexy leather shorts! Linderhosen has traditionally been Fesch Fest Fashion for the guys but the ladies are rocking it out these days. Save the dirndl for spring fest and try out some hosen this fall!
Do: Wear a colored blouse
DONT’s
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| No squished boobs here |
Fesch Fest Fashion Commandment #1 “Thall shall not squish thy boobs!”
Let’s keep it real, if you weren’t trying to put your ta-tas on display, you’d find a more modest blouse. There are ways to display them elegantly. Take a look at German Advertisements of models in Dirndls; Their boobs are not squished! They sit there nicely as if they were on a shelf. If your dirndl is flattening your voluptuous curves, you need a bigger dress…just tailor in the sides.
If you have small boobs and think that if you squish your boobs to the top you are fooling someone into thinking you’re farm raised…you’re not. It’s okay and beautiful to not have big boobs. Just add a necklace to draw attention, but do not squeeze what you do have to the top of your blouse to create the appearance of cleavage. Women fought for the right not to have restrictive clothing. Do not make the women’s movement be in vain by smooshing your boobs!
Fesch Fest Fashion Commandment #2: Thou Shalt Not Wear Animal Prints!
“Leopard and zebra patterns have no place near a dirndl!” — direct quote from a very Fesch Bavarian girl.
Thou Shalt
Not Mimic “The Waitress.”
Don’t be surprised if someone gives you their drink order when you’re wearing a black dirndl with a white blouse. Waitresses have a monopoly on this look.
Thou Shalt Not Be Cheap
Spend € 30 on a dirndl from the dirndl man stand on the corner, and everyone will know it. You’re better off in a luau shirt. And a costume milkmaid outfit is about as authentic as a robin wearing peacock feathers. Invest in a decent dirndl. You don’t have to go couture, The C&A Store sells respectable dirndls for € 99… about the same price as eBay costumes.
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| Photo: Getty Images |
Thou Shalt Not be a Coma Boozer
No dirndl is ever hot on an unconscious girl lying in the corner. Nor is it made more sexy when some chick without self-control somehow loses her top or skirt. In the translated words of Magazine, “Self-control is the alpha and omega!”
Thou Shalt Not Wear an Incorrect Apron Length
You should be able to see the bottom of the dress below the dirndl.
Thou shalt not Wear Lingerie Blouses
Apart from the fact that there are only a few exceptions where a dirndl looks good without a shirt, the blouse should complement and not distract the dirndl. Please only wear transparent blouses when the dirndl completely covers your chest! Even strapless blouses are definitely a no-go this year!
Thou Shalt Not Wear Matching Dirndl
Even if you are twins or bridesmaids or twin bridesmaids, if your best friend is wearing the same Dirndl as you, one of you must make alterations. For example, different style aprons, different color blouses, or corset belts. There are too many possibilities to be dressed just alike.
For a little inspiration, this is what right looks like:
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| This photo from Dirndl Magazine |
Overall, these are all suggestions. Do whatever you want to do.