This time of the year is the busiest because so many Rare Dirndl customers are preparing to leave for the Oktoberfest in Munich in the coming weeks! Many local Chicagoans come to my studio looking for a dirndl to wear and often ask, “What do I wear with it? Socks? What shoes? I've never worn a dirndl before… What is traditional?" To that I usually respond, "well, I'm not the 'stick to the rules kind of gal' I think you can wear whatever you want." But there are a few things that are stand out trends for 2014 so I've put together my top 5 tips to help you Rock your Dirndl this Oktoberfest season!
1. Motorcycle Boots and Dirndl Socks: The traditional dirndl sock is a great way to keep your legs warm (since it is fall and could get chilly) and then, pair them with motorcycle boots instead of mary-janes! This look is so unexpected and mixes hard rocker edge with a soft traditional look that I think is so new and fresh. It also helps keep any beer from spilling on your socks ;-) The best dirndl socks (in my opinion) come from Ernst Licht, here is the link - http://www.ernstlicht.com/12-ladies-clothing/105-ladies-socks/trachten-kneesocks.html
The Look: Motorcycle Boots
Jackie and her daughters rocking the Look!
2. Trachtenhüte: A decorated trachten hat with feathers, ribbon, flowers and pins is very on trend for 2014 and it takes every dirndl to the next level. The hats are so popular this year that we only have 2 Bavarian style hats left! One red and one green, so get yours before they're gone! Click here to see view them in the Rare Dirndl Online Store.
The Look: Trachtenhüte
Jill rocking the Look!
3. Floral Crowns: If you’re not into hats, a floral crown is super on trend this year! (design assistant Samantha says "that's what all the cool kids are wearing these days" - good enough for me!) For my latest collection I featured very large, over the top, avant-garde floral crowns, but a simple (not cheesy) crown is gorgeous for Okotberfest! There are lots of tutorials on YouTube to make your own, that way it can match your dirndl perfectly.
The Look: Floral Crown
Bride Mary-Claire rocking the Look
4. The Proper Undergarments: Underneath every great dirndl is a great foundation. I did a blog post a while back on the proper undies to wear with your dirndl, because there is not a woman on earth that can pull off a dirndl with a sports bra! Set yourself up for dirndl success and get your push-up bra and bloomers ready because wearing a dirndl is meant to accentuate only the best a woman’s body has to offer.
The Look: Proper Undergarments
Karen rocking the Look!
5. And last but not least…Bright Lipstick to Accent that Smile! No one likes a German girl with a frown and there is no better way to accent a gorgeous smile then with bright lipstick. I don’t listen to trends when it comes to lipstick color… play off of the colors in your dirndl and go with it. Hot Pink, Blush, Bright Red, Dark Plum – any color that accentuates your dirndl is the color to choose.
The Look: Bright Lipstick
Kat rocking the Look!
Those are my 5 ways to Rock the Dirndl this Oktoberfest Season. All season long we are going to be posting pics on Instagram (follow me at @raredirndl) featuring ladies that are rockin it! Like Megan!
She wore her custom Burberry inspired dirndl to the opening night of Oktoberfest at the Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas and she rocked her dirndl all the way down the aisles of the restaurant with Sigfried & Roy!! Use #RareDirndl and #RockTheDirndl all season long and maybe you'll see your pic on our account too!
Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here
We're Eric & Elizabeth Brotten, residents of Minneapolis and German-themed party connoisseurs. We love to wear our Rare Dirndl attire to local cultural events at the German-American Institute (St. Paul), as well as at our privately hosted annual Oktoberfest party (we get upwards of 80 guests, offer bier and food, live music, and authentic steins for use)!
Our favorite thing about Rare Dirndl is the fun, modern prints and high quality construction. We frequently get compliments about how trendy they look and we've even had German friends in Munich say they wish they had Tracht like we do!
- I love the way they look in their matching dirndl and menswear! I recently added a new category to the online store called "His & Hers" Where you can easily check out all of the matching dirndl and menswear outfits. Click the link to see them for yourself! - http://bit.ly/1i4mSIO
Do you want to be the next Rare Dirndl Customer Spotlight? As the winner you will recieve a $50 Coupon Code for any online purchase, a feature on the Rare Dirndl website and blog, and a gift package worth approx $100!! Click here to get all the details!
Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? Take our dirndl quiz and find out! Simply type in your email here
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!
