Oktoberfest isn’t just about the beer and the food, it’s also about dressing up for the occasion and trying to stand out from everyone else. Oktoberfest is well-known as a good time to party and a good time to drink and be merry, but it wouldn’t be the same if most of the people weren’t wearing traditional Bavarian attire like they ideally should.
These days, wearing the best quality lederhosen and dirndl isn’t just reserved for the Germans at Oktoberfest – those from other countries are also encouraged to do the same. There may be a treasure trove of local costume shops and dressmakers out there that can make you a great-looking dirndl and one that could really stand out, but you’re better off thinking out of the box and going for high-end dirndl from an international source.
You know how the saying goes – go big or go home. That’s definitely true when it comes to buying a dirndl – the folks behind www.oktoberfest-dirndl-shop.co.uk add that it’s more than just wearing quality dirndl at Oktoberfest. There are other considerations to keep in mind, so let’s get to them.
You Want to Stay Comfortable
Oktoberfest newbies in particular should realise that the event, while fun, can also be long and tiring. Sure, you’ll have all the time in the world to enjoy yourself and partake of the food, drink, and excitement, but it wouldn’t be that much fun if you aren’t feeling comfortable. If you decide you don’t want to invest in some high-quality dirndl, that’s what you’re going to get – you’ll be saving on the price of your costume, but in most, if not all cases, you’ll be getting what you paid for. And that’s dirndl that doesn’t fit right and doesn’t last the long haul due to the use of cheap and inauthentic-feeling materials, and dodgy manufacturing practices. To cut the long story short, opting for cheap dirndl could end up as an expensive mistake in the long run.
If you do decide to invest in quality dirndl, particularly those made by leading manufacturers, your next Oktoberfest will be one to remember for all the right reasons. These outfits are made with comfort in mind and are painstakingly crafted to perfection. They’re also built for repeated use and come in several sizes that should fit perfectly. All told, high-end dirndl is just what you need to remain comfortable at the next Oktoberfest.
Don’t Go for the Obvious
Another thing to remember when choosing dirndl is not to go for the obvious and clichéd. Your area may have fancy dress stores and the like that offer unique twists on dirndl, but truth be told, they’re almost always inauthentic in appearance, and painfully obvious in this quality. In fact, we’d go as far as saying they are laughable, and you wouldn’t want to go to an Oktoberfest only to be laughed at by the purists.
If you really want your dirndl to be unusual in a good way, then you’ll be well advised to spend some money to this end. Again, it all comes back to avoiding cheap options in terms of price, but mainly in quality, and the whole “go big or go home” mentality mentioned earlier.
Make Sure it’s Durable
Quality dirndl isn’t meant to be cheap, but once bought you can certainly count on it to last for a while. Even if you think Oktoberfest is something you should try once, but never again, the experience will likely make you reconsider. High-end dirndl will last several Oktoberfests, if not decades on end.
A Badge of Pride, All Year Round
Considering the wide range of dirndl and other types of Oktoberfest outfits available through high-end retailers, it’s possible that you can buy an outfit you can wear at multiple events, or even if there isn’t any special occasion. Of course, Bavarian attire can be used at costume parties, but that’s not the only type of event (apart from Oktoberfest) where you can wear it.
The long and the short of it is quite simple – there is a huge gap between the true high-quality dirndl made by reputable makers and the dodgy-quality dirndl made by local costume shops, even if they could look similar at times. Think of your Oktoberfest attire as a lifetime investment, or at least one of the long-term variety, as you’ll have many other chances to wear it. While Oktoberfest may be a once-a-year thing, your dirndl and other Bavarian outfits shouldn’t be thought of in the same way.