As the 4th of July approaches, we are reminded that the Summer is in full swing. We're feeling hot, hot, hot! With this in mind, the past 3 custom dirndl clients I've had were very adamant about having a dirndl that they can wear without a blouse. However, I only have a few dirndl styles that can be worn without a blouse. For the most part, Rare Dirndl styles are meant to be worn with a blouse, why? Simple… I love the look of a blouse! I think the addition of a blouse can change the entire look of a dirndl in seconds. Here is a quick overview of some of our best blouses and how & why they can make a dirndl take on a whole new look.
The Off-the-Shoulder Blouse (our most popular blouse) is a classic dirndl look and is the perfect blouse for an Oktoberfest! Whether it is gathered in the center or ungathered, it is a great choice for pretty much any dirndl. Pop on some comfortable little heels and your ready to go to Okotberfest. And… if you're worried about the Off-the-Shoulder Blouse annoyingly popping up onto your shoulders, Forgetaboutit!! This blouse is designed to stay off the shoulder and this video proves it!
For a more elegant look, I have two favorites… the Sweetheart Blouse with Draped Sleeves, or the Sparkle Organza Blouse. Both have a flattering adjustable sweetheart neckline and sleeves that are classy and unique. This past weekend I was at a wedding, and I wore the Sweetheart Blouse with Draped Sleeves with my dirndl, some fancy high heels, elegant jewelry and I certainly didn't feel underdressed!
The last blouse I'm going to mention that can totally change the look of a dirndl is the newest blouse in the Rare Dirndl collection, the Blouslette! This is a sleeveless blouse that is not only comfortable, but can give you the feeling of not wearing a blouse without showing off your bra ;-) Pair the Blouslette with your dirndl, some flip flops and you're ready for an outdoor festival or picnic. This blouse is great in all 4 colors and I think it is a must have for the summer months.
So just with these blouses, you can give your dirndl an Oktoberfest look, Elegant and Classy look, or a Casual Summer look! Hence why I love blouses!! A dirndl worn with a blouse gives you the opportunity to mix it up and design it to fit any event. If I still haven't convinced you that dirndls and blouses go together like spätzle and gravy, then check out these styles that can be worn without a blouse. If you need to add another blouse to your collection… use Coupon Code: JULY4th this weekend and save 10% on your entire order! Click Here to shop this sale!
I don't know about you, but I can't wait for some warm summertime weather! I'm thinking a bit ahead this week to June, July and August. I'm talking about the heat and how sometimes that heat can cause us to avoid wearing our dirndls... but I've got a solution that is totally innovative and brand-spankin new! The Blouslette!
Check out this video, where I personally introduce the Blouslette to you, or you can scroll down to check out the pictures!
Finally a Sleeveless Summer Blouse!
The Blouslette is the newest addition to the Rare Dirndl Blouse family and I'm beyond excited about it because the Blouslette's lack of sleeves is sure to keep you cooler during those hot summer months! I've been working on getting this blouse just right for almost 3 months, so I'm very happy to finally announce it's arrival. This blouse is available in White, Black, Ivory and Grey. Be sure to order yours before their gone. Click here to order now!
Karin from California said "Genius!"
Katherine from Illinois said "I love it!"
and Karen from Illinois said simply "AWWWWWWWW YEAH!"
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Back in 2010, when I started Rare Dirndl, I knew I had to do 3 things: make an all Leopard Print Dirndl (check), create a couture Dirndl gown to create buzz (check), and design an Off-the-Shoulder Blouse that actually stays off-the-shoulder. A wonderful woman from Germany taught me a few things about sewing dirndls and she made me an off-the-shoulder blouse, but I hardly wore it because every time I moved my arms… it would pop-up onto my shoulder, dig into my armpit and I was constantly futsing with it. It was annoying, but I loved the look.
Check out the video below to see why the Rare Dirndl Off-the-Shoulder Dirndl Blouse is so great, or feel free to keep on reading and checking out the pics from some of our happy customers!
It took a couple samples, some trial and error, but I finally figured out a way to make the sleeves stay off-the-shoulder! The secret is… well I probably shouldn't share because, then it wouldn't be a secret… but I really love you guys and think you want to know… hmmm… OK! I'll share! The secret is in the elastic. I use 4 separate pieces of elastic in just the top portion of the blouse instead of 1, and then each piece is tacked in place, making the elastic tighter around the upper arm and less likely to pop-up.
And I'm not the only one who loves my Off-the-Shoulder Blouse, these are a few comments I've heard throughout the years. "I make all my daughter's dirndls for them… but I can't replicate that blouse. I'll take 4!" or "I play the trumpet for my band and I had no problems with the blouse on stage, I'll take another one in black!" or my favorite, "Our dance group would like to order 30 because we can't find anyone who wants to make them and we hear your's are the best!"
I love that last one because of the "no one wants to make them" part… They are a pain in the ass to make. One of the seamstresses I work with told me politely, "please don't bring me anymore of those blouses, it takes too long". I still sew many of the Off-the-Shoulder Blouses myself and only trust select local manufactures to make them because some people overlook the tiny details that are so important to that blouse!
I offer this blouse in my favorite blouse fabric (a poly/cotton blend that washes beautifully and comes out of the dryer like a dream) in White, Black and as of today, Ivory and Grey! It is hands down my most popular item. Every time I produce it, I run out! I have stock now, and hopefully it will last me through the summer and Oktoberfest season.
Have you had struggles with keeping an "off-the-shoulder" blouse off-the-shoudler? Do you have a Rare Dirndl Off-the-Shoudler Blouse? I would love to hear your comments below!
I don't know about you, but this past month has brought miserable cold weather to the mid-west… and I'm over it! I am very ready for spring… and very excited to talk about the Rare Dirndl Spring/Summer 2014 photo shoot!
Photo Bomb!!
Inspired by camping and the beauty of calm nature… I did not want to have the photo shoot inside, so I had to finish sewing the samples asap, so we could have the shoot while it was still nice outside. Well… kinda nice… by the end of the day it wasn't "a little chilly in the shade" anymore, it was just cold. But our models were troopers! They both pretended that it was summer outside and smiled like they were having a great time.
I saved the best shot for last… the canoe! The final shots turned out great and I am very happy with how they turned out, but getting those shots were no easy feat.
* 1st it was cold and windy… the morning was actually really beautiful outside, but in the late afternoon on the lake, it was windy and chilly!
* 2nd there was the fact that they were on the water battling the wind and the waves and
* 3rd, my poor photographer/dad kept getting water inside his boots, and that water is real COLD!
brrrrr!!
All in all the look was accomplished! Calm, relaxing, and easy going
I'm really excited about this new look and I hope you enjoy this behind the scenes video from the Spring/Summer photo shoot.
The new Day at the Lake Collection will be arriving on our online store at the end of February and that little promise of spring can't get here soon enough!
Last weekend the Rare Dirndl team and I had a great time at German Fest Milwaukee despite the unusually chilly weather. We had to cover up our dirndl with sweaters, but we enjoyed listening to the music, eating the wonderful food and talking to so many great people!
The top selling dirndl last weekend was the Wicked Garden Dirndl. This edgy, fashion forward dirndl caught the eye of so many people and the smiles on those who tried it on were priceless! One of our customers said "I know I have gym shoes on... but I don't want to take it off!" And she didn't... that's one of the fabulous things about getting a dirndl at German Fest, you can try it on and walk out of the dressing room and onto the dance floor!
The top selling blouse for the weekend was the blouse that is paired with the Wicked Garden dirndl, the Sweetheart Blouse with Chain Sleeves. There are only a few left and they are going quick, so don't forget to grab yours before they are gone! Since it's all black it can easily be worn with many dirndl styles and the chains make it not only elegant, but edgy and modern as well.
We only make our blouses and dirndls in small batches which make them exclusive and if we sell out, for most styles, that's it. For example, I have no more chain to make the Sweetheart Blouse with Chain Sleeves... so once the little bit of stock we have left is gone, it's gone.
Thanks so much to everyone who came by our pop-up boutique last weekend and don't forget, the new Nevermore collection will be released on August 19th! Monika and I were sporting some new pieces last Saturday!
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