Dirndl for Women

Buy a dirndl

Dirndls are traditional Trachten dresses for women, which originated in Bavaria and Austria. Traditionally, the Dirndl dress is composed of a blouse, the dress itself and a color-matching apron. Nowadays, however, Trachten dresses do not always have to be classic and there are hardly any limits for women here. There are numerous variations, ranging from a modern mini dirndl to an elegant country style Trachten dress. Today, such dresses are worn not only at the Oktoberfest, but also on many other occasions, such as weddings, family celebrations and long Sunday walks. The popular type of dress has become an indispensable part of Trachten fashion.

The very versatile dirndl

Dirndls have a long tradition. Made of durable cotton and linen fabric, it used to be worn mainly by female domestic and agricultural workers. At the end of the 19th century, the Dirndl also became popular among the upper classes, where it was worn in summer as an everyday dress.

The name Dirndl is derived from the German word Dirne, which in the old usage was the name for young women and girls. Since the traditional Trachten costume was mainly worn by Dirnen, it was given the name Dirndlgewand [Dirndl garment], which gave rise to the well-known abbreviation Dirndl.

Nowadays, this popular Trachten dress can be worn on almost any occasion. There are various dirndl styles, such as mini, midi or maxi length, depending on the occasion for which the dress is to be used. The right Trachten dress makes its wearer look very sensual, but a good cut and a perfect fit are crucial. Classic check patterns and floral embroidery are always in style for dirndls and can be enhanced with colorful aprons and adapted to the occasion. The Trachten look is complete when combined with matching pumps or high heels, a feather hat and Trachten jewelry. But if you want something completely different - leather pants for women are quite striking at the Oktoberfest and the Cannstatter Volksfest.

Quick hint: The bow on the dirndl apron is not only for decoration, but it is also attributed a certain meaning. If the bow of the apron is tied on the left side, it means that the woman is single. If, on the other hand, the bow is tied on the right side, it can be assumed that the wearer of the costume is not single. Widowed women wear a bow tied at the center back. A bow in the center front, on the other hand, signifies that the wearer is still a virgin. If these rules are followed when tying the apron, nothing will stand in the way of your successful dirndl look.

The perfect dirndl for every woman

Dirndls flatter every woman owing to their attractive cut, which conceals curves and emphasizes the décolleté. You can find an appealing selection of high-quality Trachten dresses at Breuninger. Whether fashionable and trendy, like the dresses from Krüger and Wiesnkönig, or classic and elegant, like the Trachten dresses from Sportalm, there is something for every taste and every size. You can find more tips & trends in our Dirndl Guide.