Munich – The trend of wearing traditional costumes at Oktoberfest started in the 1990s. Now it has become a kind of rule. Therefore, Oktoberfest time is always traditional costume time. The accompanying question “What do I wear?” was quickly answered by many visitors to the world’s largest folk festival, the same costume as last year and for many years before that.
Oktoberfest Trends 2024: Blue-gray tones will define Oktoberfest
Certainly, high-quality dirndls and lederhosen last a long time. Very long. Sometimes for a lifetime. Sometimes they are inherited. Unlike designer fashion, traditional fashion does not undergo drastic changes. The style of women’s clothing and the general arrangement of men’s lederhosen, jackets, and vests are very consistent. But even here, there are trends.
A stroll through the windows of Lodenfrey and Ludwig Beck makes it clear that the Oktoberfest of 2024 will be quite blue. Above it all, there is a veil of gray. As a result, the color blue-gray ranks high on the trend indicators this year, and not only in the women’s sector.
Traditional men’s jackets and vests are also increasingly appearing in blue, sometimes entirely, sometimes as a color detail on the collar or hemline.
Traditional costume for Oktoberfest 2024: Heavy textures look more fashionable than soft, flowing fabrics.
In general, the overall impression of the traditional costume models on display looks realistic. This is due not only to the colors, which have become less intense and brighter this year, but also to the fabrics and innovations of the dirndl blouse.
But for now, let’s stick to color. Pure gray, from light to dark, is considered very stylish right now.
Chiffon skirts and tulle are considered the carnival of this Oktoberfest season.
Green shades are an essential part of traditional costume fashion, with sage and olive shades being particularly popular in 2024. Red also remains an essential part of the traditional costume color palette in its muted versions.
This year, anything colorful, cloudy, dusty, dull and blurry is in style. Anything bright, vibrant or sharp is a thing of the past.
This also applies to the materials that make up the dream of traditional clothing. Cotton, linen, wool, felt, and velvet are much more popular than shiny fabrics. Nowadays, designs with a heavy texture and non-slip feel are more fashionable than smooth, thin, fluttering fabrics.
Check out the Oktoberfest Dirndl Blouse: Showing cleavage is a thing of the past.
The same applies to aprons. Here, shiny versions made of silk or mixed fabrics are still the norm, but the ultra-fashionable models promoted by dirndl designers and traditional costume manufacturers are made of linen or corduroy and velvet. Chiffon skirts and tulle are considered the carnival of this Oktoberfest season.
The black Dindl blouse is a fashion statement, and in the high-neck version it has a double effect. Showing cleavage is a thing of the past. The post-MeToo zeitgeist and the increased critical coverage of toxic masculinity have created a new perception of how women are portrayed in the fashion industry. Gone are the days of portraying women as objects of eternal pleasure.
Fashionable Oktoberfest Accessories 2024: How to Travel in Style
In fact, many women are afraid of being attacked by drunken men as soon as their feminine charms catch their eye. That’s why opaque fabrics and long sleeves are the key to the dun blouse.
For the same reason, clothes from calf-length to ankle-length are also trendy. Mini-shorts are now smelling like mothballs, so it’s better to stay in them.
© Ludwig Beck
Ludwig Beck
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The traditional shirt for men is white or light blue, made of cotton or linen, and has a stand-up collar. The blue, red, green and white checkered shirts worn by most Oktoberfest-going men are hard to find on mannequins in traditional clothing stores. A fashionable and warm alternative on cooler days is a form-fitting turtleneck sweater made of a coarse knit.
Moving on to accessories. A mini bag with an eye-catching Oktoberfest cover made of felt or velour is neither elegant nor cool and can ruin an essentially stylish Oktoberfest outfit.
If you, as a grown woman, absolutely must carry a heart-shaped bag, opt for a luxury version, such as that from Munich leather goods specialist Aigner.
From ballerinas to sneakers: what shoes are appropriate for Oktoberfest?
When it comes to footwear, there are no specific trends associated with Oktoberfest, but there are certainly some models that go better with traditional attire than others. Leather ankle boots are a great choice. Not only do they look great with dirndls, they are less painful on the feet than high heels, and they visually elongate the legs the most.
Ballerina flats (women love them, men hate them) are one of the most comfortable shoe models that go with Dirndl, but they also look a bit plain. A more interesting alternative is a pointed pump with a mid-height heel.
Despite their comfort, sneakers with women’s clothing are rarely accepted by style experts. Their sporty aesthetic does not fit with the traditional characteristics of dungarees.
© Sallinger PR/Lodenfrey
By Sallinger PR/Lodenfrey
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However, leather trousers for men are now socially acceptable and create a cool look that says, “I’m conscious of tradition, but my leather jacket still has WhatsApp.” Even the traditional dress experts at Lodenfrey have applauded the ever-controversial combination in style tutorials on Instagram.
If you don’t want to get swept up in the blue waves, you can find bold, bright colors and girly pastel shades in traditional clothing stores decorated with sparkly lace, sequins and beads. It may not be hip now, but whatever you want is allowed.
After all, there are no general style rules or fashion police at the entrance to Oktoberfest. No matter how blue the fashion-conscious Oktoberfest fan is, it will still be less blue than many Oktoberfest visitors at the end of the evening.
