Party dresses | Women's | PIECES® Germany (2024)

FAQs

What is the female German dress called? ›

A dirndl is the name of a woman's dress traditionally worn in southern Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Alpine regions of Italy. The dirndl is a folk costume (in German – Tracht), and today is generally regarded as a traditional dress for women and girls in the Alps.

The dress code in Germany depends on the industry

Not necessarily torn trousers and flip-flops, but casual trousers such as chinos or maybe jeans. A pro tip: many employees keep it casual on a day-to-day basis and have their chic jacket or shiny shoes hanging in their locker at work.

Dirndls and lederhosen may quickly come to mind as traditional German clothing. These outfits originated in Bavaria but have been widely adopted elsewhere. A dirndl is a dress consisting of a blouse, bodice, skirt, and apron.

A dirndl consists of a close-fitting bodice with a low neckline, a blouse worn under the bodice, a wide high-waisted skirt and an apron. The dirndl is regarded as a folk costume (German: Tracht). It developed as the clothing of Alpine peasants between the 16th and 18th centuries.

Dirndl dresses and Lederhosen, synonymous with Bavarian culture, are undoubtedly iconic representations of German traditional clothing. However, Germany's diverse regions boast a plethora of unique Trachten (traditional garments), each with its distinct flair.

A dark pair of slim or skinny jeans, a nice top and a cardigan, with a scarf thrown over the top, will do well in any German city. I have joked with my husband there is a German Dad uniform on the weekends: chinos in a dark colour, t-shirt or collared shirt, and a v-neck jumper on top.

Combination suits are usually for everyday wear, whereas two-piece suits are for slightly more formal occasions. Be aware that the German taste for ties is more elaborate than in America; it is often an important fashion statement. Shirt colours can also be more pronounced and can be checked or striped.

Among German consumers the two most popular categories for online purchases are Clothing and Shoes. 50 percent and 38 percent of consumers respectively chose these answers in our representative online survey. The survey was conducted online among 5,984 respondents in Germany, in 2023.

Comfort is Key

In Berlin, dancing is an essential part of the clubbing experience, so wearing comfortable clothes and shoes is crucial. Opt for outfits that allow freedom of movement, such as loose-fitting tops, breathable fabrics, and comfortable shoes.

First, Germans tend to dress slightly more formally than Americans—so bring clothes that look more put together, as opposed to sweatpants, ripped jeans, belly shirts, athletic wear, etc. You will not see many Germans wear shorts unless it's very hot out.

How do you dress like you're from Germany? ›

If you don't want to wear jeans, a skirt, or dress, or you're a man, just wear black or gray pants instead. Even black or gray jeans will work. Men generally stay away from sleeveless shirts here. I see polo shirts on guys but more often I see button down, collared shirts.

Put on the Dirndl dress, ensuring that the bodice fits snugly and that the skirt falls just below the knee. Tie the apron around your waist, with the bow on your left side if you are single, on your right if you are married, or in the middle if you are a widow. The bow should be neat and not too large.

At Oktoberfest, ladies mainly wear dirndls.

Dirndls are the traditional Bavarian dress you most commonly associate with Oktoberfest (see here for some modern and fun examples). Of course, the prevalence of “ladyhosen” (lederhosen for women) increases every year.

German fashion is known for unconventional young designers and manufacturers of sports and outdoor clothing, ready-to-wear and custom-made creations.

Traditional Dirndls:

The staple of a woman's outfit at Oktoberfest in Munich is a white blouse under a tight-fitting Bavarian dirndl (DEERN-dul) dress with an apron tied around it. A dirndl dress can come either all in one piece or in two pieces with a separate bodice and skirt.

A dirndl is always composed of at least two pieces – the dress itself and an apron; in most cases, a cropped dirndl blouse is worn under the bodice and covers shoulders and upper arms. As a general rule, the bodice is tight while the skirt is cut wider and gathered at the waist, falling in pleats.