There’s probably nobody who likes Bavarian fashion who doesn’t know what a typical outfit for a beer festival looks like. Does anyone still need help identifying the five pieces of a typical Oktoberfest outfit for the lads? Any girls out there still unaware that a dirndl is made up of three items – dress, blouse, and apron – and needs matching shoes and a bag? Didn’t think so.
What happens when the mercury drops, however, and you still want to sport authentic Bavarian clothes? What kinds of traditional Bavarian clothing are there for cold winter days and how are they worn?
As you might expect, the possibilities are numerous. After all, Bavarian Tracht was originally working dress for the whole year – much of it spent outside on the (often chilly) Alpine slopes. Longer lederhosen and dirndl, extra layers of wool, leather coats… So let us show you some classic Bavarian winter looks that are bound to keep you cosy.
For men, there are some easy ways to keep warm in Bavarian clothing. If, for example, you have a pair of short lederhosen and don’t want (or can’t afford) to add a longer set to your wardrobe, all you need do is invest in good woolly socks. The traditional “Loferl” legwarmers, especially, can be extended to cover your knees and shins. Add a thick satin waistcoat and a water-repellent loden jacket, and Bob’s your uncle. If you have a knee-length pair of lederhosen, it’s even easier to keep the cold out: all you need to do is pull your usual woolly socks up…
If that’s not warm enough for you – and if you you were simply always looking for an excuse to drop a month’s rent on Bavarian clothing – then your winter outfit involves full-length lederhosen and Bavarian leather coats. Yes, it is a lot of money, but it should be considered as an investment in robust, comfortable, and warm clothing that – compared to your average pair of jeans – will last and last. Essentially, these are lifetime pieces. A cheaper, but no less stylish option, is Bavarian knitwear: you’ll need to replace it more often, of course, but nothing keeps you warm and cosy like fluffy woollen cardigans.
Knitwear is a big thing for ladies in winter, too. In fact, a good piece of Bavarian knit, a pair of knee-length schoolgirl socks, and petticoats or bloomers are all you need to turn your Oktoberfest dirndl into an all-year-round, winter-proof dress. Another option is a total “back to the roots” strategy involving genuine ankle-length dirndls and a long apron : wearing that with an elbow-length blouse will make you look more authentic than a grandma in Munich – and keep you warmer than anything else.