At 3 Years Old - Is This the Dirndl that Started It All?!

For many women, what they wore can bring back memories just as strongly as taste and sound. For my Grandma… in order for her to fully remember an event, I always need to describe what I was wearing. This week, I am taking a trip back in time to remember a little bit about my childhood as it relates to my first dirndl memories. 

Grandma Rosina and I   (1991)

My mom first brought my sister and I to the Kindergruppe when I was around 4 years old, and since that day every other Friday night, you would find us dancing (most of the time reluctantly) with the American Aid Society Kindergruppe. The Kindergruppe performances are where my memories of wearing a dirndl were formed. I know that I had a little red dirndl when I was much younger, but the first dirndl I remember loving was a pink plaid dirndl. I loved that little pink heart that hangs to the side and I remember loving to spin and twirl in my dirndl because the skirt was so full… too much fun!

When my girlfriends and I started talking about this topic, it was so funny to see their faces as they took a moment to think about it… and then their eyes lit up! "Oh, I remember my favorite! It was the purple one with the flowers!" or "YES… the red one with the polka dots!"

It seems that anyone who grew up in the German community wearing dirndls as a child can relate and has that "Ah ha!" moment when they recall that first dirndl they remember wearing and loving.


Did this little pink plaid dirndl start my love affair with dirndls… maybe! I can't say for sure, but I do know that I am forever grateful that my mom dragged me to kindergruppe practice on fridays and dressed me in my little dirndls.

My Beautiful Mother, Me, and my little sister, Monika   (1992)

Elizabeth and her American Girl Doll

I don't make children's dirndls often, but my hope is always that their Rare Dirndl is going to be the one they refer to as their first favorite. Here are a few of the littlest dirndls I've made and I think the looks on their faces say it all.

Oliva and Elizabeth

Dotti in her little Blackhawks Dirndl

"Audrey LOVES her new dirndl! She said she's never taking it off!"

Elsie probably won't remember wearing her first Rare Dirndl Onesie, be she will surely look adorable in it!

One of the newest trends in social media is Throwback Thursday! Using the hashtag #tbt or #throwbackthursday, people post old pictures to bring back some great memories! This week we would love to see some good ol' little dirndls for Throwback Thursday! Post your #tbt pic on Facebook and/or Instagram using #tbtdirndl so we can all enjoy those pics. 

P.S. Here is a video from 1993 of the AAS Kindgruppe in case you'd like to critique my dancing skills at age 7. 

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Open Studio Weekend! Today! (& tomorrow)

WOW! I'm not going to lie, this weekend totally snuck up on me, but its the best weekend to be a German-American in Chicago... cuz its GERMAN DAY!

I'm super stoked to be working with one of the best German restaurants in Chicago, Laschet's Inn! The owner, his wife and daughter, along with me and a bunch of fabulously Rare ladies and gents will be riding on the Laschet's Mobile Beer Garten in the Steuben Parade today! I'm up early to head over there soon to start prepping the float (bring a little Rare touch to the big thing ;-) The parade starts at 2pm and starts from Lincoln and Irving and ends the German Day grounds on Lincoln, Leland and Western.

After that it'll be time to head back to the studio where I have the New Nevermore Collection on display, Chicago sports dirndls, and the Sunflower dirndl which was recently in the new Nickelodeon original movie, Swindle. Everyone is welcome to come by and browse, shop etc!

Also... I am SO excited that DAVI jewelry has teamed up with us this year! We will have lots of their amazing pieces available in studio and you should come early before I decide to keep them all... and I wish I was kidding ;-) I love love love these pieces!








The studio doors will be open today from 4pm-7pm and tomorrow from 2pm-7pm. Even if you just want to come by to see the place (considering last year it looked like this....) I'd love to see you!








Don't forget to follow Rare Dirndl on Facebook, Instagram (@raredirndl), and Twitter to see all the fabulousness that will be going on today!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
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The German Fest Milwaukee Survival Kit!

German Fest Milwaukee is a weekend that many people look forward to all year! The 4 day festival starts on Thursday July 25th at 5pm and lasts until Sunday the 28th at 10pm. This will be my 2nd year as a vendor, but I've been going to German Fest for 10+ years and I have learned a lot about the weekend. Here are 4 tips to help prep and survive the whole weekend!

#1) Don't Forget Sunscreen (or the umbrella): Keep an eye on the weather and pack appropriately. Pack a sunscreen with a higher SPF because a blouse burn is like a farmers-tan hopped up on schnapps! Nobody likes that sweetheart neckline for the rest of the summer! My favorite is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Spray. It's so easy to re-apply and isn't super oily on your skin.

On the flip side... the open air Summer Fest grounds have plenty of tents, but if you want to grab some food, or another beer you may need to venture out from under the shelter, so don't forget an umbrella.






#2) Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!: Having a water in between beers is key to keeping hydrated during the usually super hot fest. There are drinking fountains (or bubblers as the Wisconsinites call it) outside each of the bathrooms throughout the fest were you can re-fill any of your cups with some fresh Wasser!

#3) Keep Cool by the Lake: The Summer Fest grounds are located along the shoreline of beautiful Lake Michigan and it's the best place to cool down. There is always a wonderful fresh breeze off the lake and there are picnic tables along the edge where you can sit and relax.









#4) Comfortable Footwear!: Last but no least... a second pair of shoes in your survival kit may be cumbersome, but when you have a huge throbbing blister, nothing feels better! Since the fest is primarily outdoors walking barefoot is really not an option, so when your feet have had enough, sometimes a fresh pair of shoes is all it takes to feel like a million bucks!

#5) Bonus!!! Kill That Hangover!: Lots of people have their own hangover remedies, so I'll share mine... 2 advil, plenty of water and some kartofflepuffer (potato pancakes). German Fest's potato pancake houses have the BEST potato pancakes ever and nothing helps me get through a Sunday like those for breakfast!










During German Fest weekend, don't forget to come visit the Rare Dirndl pop-up boutique on the south-east corner of the Marketplatz! See you soon!!!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
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German Fest Secrets Revealed!

German Fest Milwaukee is just around the corner and we've got 3 secrets about the weekend you may not know. Long time German Fest goer, southern Wisconsin resident, and fellow Erika, Erika Hutz told me about a few fun things that even I didn't know about!

#1) Niche Schnapps' Garden: NEW for this year, located just south of the Main Gate, the Schnapps' Garden Bar will be serving the official German Fest spirits, as well as traditional German Spirit Specialties from some of Germany's oldest and renowned distillers. There you can enjoy some shelter from the sun, while drinking and sampling some great schnapps. 

#2) For the non-beer drinkers: There are a variety of Schlink Haus wines served at select bars. And for kids and those looking for something non-alcholic there is the award winning Sprecher Root Beer that is brewed locally in Milwaukee! 

#3) 8th Annual Dachshund Derby: "Every year it gets bigger and bigger and lately, people have started training their dogs for the race," says the coordinator of the races. It is such a fun event that is super family friendly and is a nice change of pace from the rest of the events. Also not to miss is the Wiener Dog Costume Contest. Maybe Rare Dirndl should enter into the contest... if only we had a wiener dog!

Got other tips and tricks for the weekend? Comment below so we can share with everyone on facebook and via e-mail!

Also, don't forget to visit the Rare Dirndl pop-up boutique at the south corner of the Marketplatz!

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here