Many people find it daunting to handpick their wardrobe for any event, but dressing for Oktoberfest is simple. 90% of the Oktoberfest visitors, from 6 million people, are dressed in German cultural clothing. These functional Oktoberfest costumes are convenient for covering the 100 acres of the Theresienwiese.
The dress code for women is dirndl dresses, which are made in trending colors and high-end fabrics and paired with a blouse. The appropriate attire for men is leather shorts with embroidery along the length of the shorts, a checkered or plain shirt, and leather suspenders. A few other accessories, like woolen socks and leather shoes, are also important for men’s Bavarian look.
The go-to dress code for women attending Oktoberfest is the dirndl dress. This traditional dress has a long-standing history, emerged in the Alps, and has been around since the 1800s. Back then, it was what farm girls and maids wore to work.
The dress in the 20th century became a symbol of Bavarian pride and a must-have for the folk festivals like Oktoberfest. The Bavarian Traditional Outfit has three main parts:
The Dress (Bodice + Skirt)
This is the heart of the dirndl. It has a tight top (called a bodice) that hugs the waist and a wide skirt that flows out. The skirt of the traditional dirndl is of three lengths:
There is a pocket on a few of the dirndl skirt designs. Colors like red, blue, green, and black are most common, and pretty floral or swirly patterns are printed on them.
The Sophisticated Blouse
Under the dress comes a monochrome white or black blouse. It usually has a low neckline to show off some of the bust (called the “décolleté” in Bavaria). These blouses have puffy sleeves or lace details.
Note: The modern dirndl blouse also comes in soft monochrome pastels.
The Symbolic Apron
The apron covers the dress and ties around the waist with a big bow. The dirndl apron knot placement is symbolic, translating the wearer’s relationship status.
When picking a dirndl, quality defines its authenticity. A premium dirndl is made of high-end materials, such as cotton, linen, or even fancy silk or velvet.
The dress should fit well. It should not be too tight, so you can dance and eat pretzels without feeling squished. Try it on and check if you can pinch some fabric at the waist. That means you have room to move.
Remember: Low-quality Halloween dirndl costumes that look tacky and won’t last long are also available. The locals frown upon these dresses.
What’s Trending for Oktoberfest 2025? For the coming Oktoberfest, longer midi dirndls are trendy because they look more traditionally appropriate. There are tons of options for colors. Bright, rich tones, pastels, tone in tone, and monochrome are all in. Floral patterns, self-prints, and soft prints are mostly in.
The classic outfit for men at Oktoberfest is none other than lederhosen. These leather pants started as tough work clothes for farmers and hunters in the 1800s. Now, they’re a big part of Bavarian culture. Lederhosen come in different styles:
What are Lederhosen made of? The Traditional Bavarian shorts are sturdy leather sourced from cowhide, deerskin, or buckskin. They often have traditional embroidered motifs, like
These hunting themes were once used to define social class or valour. These German leather shorts are worn with suspenders to keep them up, and a special flap in the front (called a “hosentürl”) makes it easier to use the bathroom.
Like dirndls, quality matters for lederhosen. Good leather can last years, so don’t buy low-quality synthetic leather versions. They should fit a bit loose enough to pass a squatting test. It guarantees that they won’t rip while dancing at the Oktoberfest or enjoying the Teufelsrad carnival ride (Devil’s wheel).
Pair your lederhosen with a checkered or white shirt. Blue, red, or green checks are classic, but pink is fun too. Roll up the sleeves for a relaxed vibe.
What’s Trending for Men’s Oktoberfest Costumes? Over the past few years, Bavarian-themed printed T-shirts and polos have become common at Oktoberfest. Two-toned leather shorts with colorful embroidery are trending. The temperature of Munich falls drastically in October, and to look extra sharp, layer a vest or a wool jacket (called a Janker) over the tracht.
The accessories are like the sprinkles that make your Oktoberfest outfit extra special! Here are some essentials:
Traditional attire is not only an unofficial dress code for the festival, but its symbolism can be tied to the meaning this festival holds in German heritage. The Oktoberfest celebration is all about Bavarian traditions, and tracht (Lederhosen + dirndl) is a big part. Dressing in the part makes you feel you belong at the world’s largest folk festival. It’s like wearing a team jersey to a big game and understanding its cultural importance!
What’s wonderful about Oktoberfest is that the wardrobe for the festival is pretty straightforward. With the options in terms of colors, men can wear the lederhosen of their choice in a plain white or checkered shirt. With the inclusion of new trends into traditional fashion, women can handpick a vibrant dirndl in trending colors that are available in three different lengths. Accessories -suspenders, socks, a blouse, and shoes- are a deal breaker for an Oktoberfest-worthy look.
The Fashion and Style enthusiast with a flair for drama and entertainment! A millennial on the lookout for the trending styles inspired by and believes in: “You can get anything in life if you have the right dress for it!” Adding a little magic through the power of words and not holding back on fashion and styling opinions! Let’s connect to stay on top of trend alerts and the who is who of Fashion world and get inspired to give your personality the styling oomph you’ve been craving for! Nageen Abbas at Vogue Vocal is the brains behind our Woke Vogue and Lifestyle Library!
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