On a bucket list trip like “real” Oktoberfest, in Munich, Germany, I was excited about indulging in beer and pretzel, sure, but really, I couldn’t help but gawk at the outfits! I mean, are we surprised? At first glance I was dazzled by every dirndl and lederhosen I saw. I had never seen anything like it before! But on second glance, maybe I had. In fashion and in life in general there are very few things that are truly unique. Everything comes back around to get reimagined or personalized. Traditional German folkwear is no exception.
Most people don’t realize that Oktoberfest isn’t just a beer thing and is a true festival with carnival-like rides. In true festival format, the first Sunday of Oktoberfest szn kicks off with a parade! The parade symbolizes bringing the barrels of beer to the event; however, it might as well have been a runway show! I was ooohing and ahhing as every parade marcher passed. There are many elements from these more-or-less “costumes” that can be rocked in everyday looks back in the states. Fashion is like colonization. Europe did it first but the USA did it better!
Oktoberfest Outfit to Real Life: When putting together my own outfit for the Oktoberfest parade, I drew influences from fringe, rich natural colors, and finer fabrics. This suede colorblocked skirt I had worn before to Oktoberfest in Pennsylvania however, for Munich’s Oktoberfest I knew I had to take it up a notch! I found the perfect suede vest in olive green that reminded me of equal parts Woodstock and Oktoberfest. Typical Oktoberfest garb tends to remind me of the 1970s because, that is when the whole countryside look - what we knowl today as cottagecore, was at its peak.The yellow and orange floral trim looks like a more earthy version of a not-so-classic eyelet. What really sold me were the cut out daisies with cascading tassels all along the bottom half of the vest. If there’s one thing I knew before even getting to Oktoberfest, you’ve gotta have fringe! My point was proven by all the men in military inspired jackets with braided rope tassels a la Michael Jackson. (Sidenote: Jackson’s costume designers paid homage to ancient Chinese militia but in their lucky colors of red and gold. Everything comes back around!)
I alternated my earrings by day in between pretzel studs and beer studs. I kept my mom-mom's long chain and rose pendant on the whole time to give my outfits roots.
The vest and the skirt combo rivaled rented dirndls because even though these two pieces were purchased several years apart, they’re the same fabric in the same color, so they look like a set. Like the Germans, I kept the under shirt white and simplistic. It was simply there as an undershirt and nothing to show off. To be more authentic, on my day 2 outfit I wore a puffy white off the shoulder top underneath.
What I could have leaned more heavily into for next time, is layering to allow for more space to mix prints but, thanks to global warming it was actually just under 80 degrees and sunny!
Makeup: Simple eyes and a natural face provide for all attention to be the lipstick. A pink matte lipstick was the weapon of choice. Avoid formulations with too much moisture, Oktoberfest is hot.
Accessories: I read into accessories at the official Oktoberfest parade as if they symbolized status. The more decorated people seemed to be elder and hold a position of power in the group they were marching with. However, not all groups had ranks. In groups where everyone was mostly the same age, they matched! Many girls wore a small bouquet of carnations across their hearts - nestled between their dirndl and their under blouse. This is so genius! With live flowers that close to the chest, who needs perfume?
The chokers were the thickest chokers I have ever seen in my life - and mind you, I grew up in the 90s. If their dirndl was a crew neck rather than a mock neck, black velvet filled almost the entirety of any woman’s neck. Crystal brooches were spotlighted in the center giving the opportunity for personalization! Personally, I love this concept of pinning an old heirloom brooch onto a sprig of fabric. Just add some peel and stick velcro in the back and you have a cheap and easy DIY choker. For spooky season, the whole thing with a flannel, layered skirt, and lug sole boots feels very gothic.
Wide brim hats aren’t just to be displayed in the background of influencer’s try-ons.
The keg purse. The name alone is iconic. A woven purse that reads I am ready for a picnic but all I brought was beer is definitely something that needs to find its way back to the States! Typically we think of straw as a summer material. Carry a straw bag into fall by tying a dark colored silk neck scarf around the top. Just be sure not to lose it in a hayride!
Hair: The most common hairstyle at Oktoberfest is braids. (I was shocked how many people visiting Oktoberfest didn’t know this!) Braids, however, is a super vague term. The best way to braid your hair for Oktoberfest is to think about how a decorative basket is weaved and model after that. The Germans do a great job of thinking of a look as 360 degrees. What I mean by that, is having one low braid in the back or a braid on each side hanging by the side of your face, is two dimensional. It either looks good in the front or back, not both. Germans tend to start braiding at the center of their head around the back to make a braided crown.
For the shorter hair queens, a velvet headband (that looks like it is straight out of the American Girl catalog, by the way.) and low bun are the vibe.
Pins in hats are used to symbolize the number of Oktoberfest you have attended; however, I was more fascinated by the hair pins. To achieve the valley girl braids, it is no secret the more hair pins, the more stable your do remains. I absolutely loved that many parade marchers wore decorative hair pins with pearls or metal flowers at the end. This reminded me of ones I have looked at for my wedding and I love how the Germans have created an opportunity to wear a typically one-use hair piece, again!
What Worked in These Oktoberfest Looks:
The only thing I'd add to these two woman's looks is a cameo jewelry. The only thing I would take away is nothing. This is maximalism at its core! I am living for the print mixed gloves and sleeve combinations. Peeps of femininity shine through in the collar's lace and frilly socks. Masculinity comes in focus with strong broad shoulder structure and despite all the fun patterns, they are all in darker hues.
#travel #oktoberfest #munich #germany #countryside #valleygirl #cottagecore #70s #oktoberfestoutfits #europe
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