Post Oktoberfest: How to Care for your Rare Dirndl

The best part of Oktoberfest is the food, drink, and wearing dirndls! The not so fun part is the mustard dripping on your apron, that drunk guy behind you spilling his Jägermeister on your blouse and just that overall stale beer smell your dirndl has because you may or may not have sat in a puddle of Spaten Okotberfest. However, there is an easy way to solve this problem… a nice post wiesen dirndl cleaning!







Caring for your Rare Dirndl is pretty simple and below is a quick overview of the cleaning instructions  for your dirndl. (and there should be a tag in the garment that explains how to clean it too)

Blouse: The vast majority of Rare Dirndl blouses are a 65% cotton 35% polyester blend which is fabulous because you can toss that puppy in the washer and dryer and it'll come out like a dream! I like to wash them on a gentle cycle and then in the dryer. For the sparkle organza blouse, line drying or machine air drying is best. I also let the draped sleeve blouses air dry, but I've accidentally put them in the dryer on high and they turned out just fine.

Apron: Since the apron is what usually gets dirty the fastest, I try to choose washable fabrics for the aprons, but if it is dry clean only, the tag will say so. So for the apron, please check the tag to be sure.






Dirndl: Your best bet with the dirndl is to have it dry cleaned or spot clean it yourself with a wet rag and some detergent. The fabrics used to make the dirndls are typically machine washable. However, its the handwork is the reason you don't really want to toss it in the washer. The trim may start to fray and the front hooks and hardware may start to come loose.

Bloomers: Easy peasy… machine wash and dry.

If you ever have any concerns about caring for your dirndl, you can either e-mail me or take it to the cleaners and ask their opinion. Even though I make the dirndls, I don't always know the best way to clean them. But… that quirky dry cleaners in the strip mall down the street that's been there forever and ever, probably knows how to get just about any stain out of your apron and/or dirndl.

Or… just give it to Oma and give her a big hug… she'll probably take care of it for you ;-)

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

When I saw this, I almost screamed! Rare Dirndl are ALWAYS made in the USA!

Well…. last week, it was brought to my attention by Debra from Trachten-Quelle in Canada, that there is a Rare Dirndl Impostor out there!

I guess I've really made it big because a Pakistani manufacturer is copying my designs. I was quite upset about the whole thing, not because they were copying my designs (it's bound to happen in this industry) but because they are so blatantly using my photograph!

I had fire running through my veins! What if people start thinking that Rare Dirndls come from a sweatshop in Pakistan?! Debra also did a little investigating for me and asked for pricing on my designs, and at the price that they are offering, there is no way that the quality can be there! It's impossible… their wholesale cost is less than the cost of just the fabrics! (not to mention that fabric is sold out… so it must be a "similar fabric") Anywooooo… before I get all riled up again about this, let's get to the good stuff!

I want to show you some details that go into a Rare Dirndl that you can't see and I'm sure that the Pakistani manufacturer is not including in their dirndls. The details that we put inside Rare Dirndls is just as important as what is on the outside. Without the inner structure: extra fusible, boning, and pressings… the dirndls wouldn't last very long, look as nice, or fit as well.

All of the dirndls have an extra layer of fabric that is fused to the center front to make it more durable. This way, when we add the extra weight of the hardware, hooks, spikes, chain etc… the center of your dirndl doesn't start tearing, ripping, or buckling under the pressure!

Another SUPER important detail that we include in our dirndls is the boning (or stays) at the center front. Along the front zipper is a type of boning that is stitched to the inside and keeps the front from collapsing.

This particular style of boning is expensive, (probably why you don't find it in cheaper dirndls) but this boning is my favorite. Sometimes after lots of wear and tear, small pieces of it may start to poke out the top, but a quick trim with scissors or filing with a nail file can fix the problem. Cheaper boning can poke out completely and once it breaks through the fabric, it creates a hole that is very difficult, if not impossible to fix.








Rare Dirndls are also pressed frequently throughout the sewing process. This is more time consuming, but really makes the final product look much more polished and more likely to stay looking fresh.

Another thing that is very important to me is that anyone who is working for Rare Dirndl, whether it be the seamstresses, the pattern makers or the window washer, is paid properly. Rare dirndls, menswear, blouses etc are all created in ethical conditions, NOT in sweatshops! (I mean the studio does get hot in the summer, but that doesn't count ;-) haha!)

The details that are inside Rare Dirndls that you can't see are what make them really great. Also, they are sewn with care! If I don't sew them myself, they are made by a local Chicago manufacturer (5 miles from the Rare Dirndl Design Studio) and these ladies are awesome! They can sew circles around me and their attention to detail is beyond impressive… that's why they're the only people I trust to make Rare Dirndls!

So there you have it, what makes a Rare Dirndl… well… RARE! If you ever have any questions about Rare Dirndls, feel free to send an e-mail or give the studio a call and we'll answer your questions as best we can. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get an inside look at the daily goings on!

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