Perfect Gift for Mother's Day - Edelweiss Clip!

Mother's Day is right around the corner and usually I'm a big fan of the gift that never fails… a Big HUG! But this year I felt that all the women in my family have been extra supportive and extra fabulous and deserving of more than just a good ol' fashioned hug. I've been thinking about it and I've honestly decided to give them all an Edelweiss Clip!

Check out this quick video of how I make these fab little accessories as well as all the unique ways to wear it!

Edelweiss Clips by Rare Dirndl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSdWlL4V89M

I decided to give the clips to my mom and grandmothers this year, not because I make them, but because it's a simple gift that goes a long way! Here are just a few ways you could wear the clip:

• On a scarf (like I did pretty much all winter)
• On a bouquet of flowers
• On a teddy bear
• On a hat
• On a grumpy cat
• On a purse
• On shoes
• On a bottle of wine
• As a ring
• On your coat
• In your hair

I could really go on and on! At only $9 for a fabric Edelweiss and $18 for a Leather Edelweiss it is perfect on it's own or paired with another little gift.

Click HERE to get your own Edelweiss Clip or to order one for your Mom, Oma, Aunt, Cousin, Sister or any other mother in your life! They're going to love it! I can't wait to see my Oma's face when I give her the clip. I hope she likes it as much as my boyfriends Great Aunt did when I gave it to her while we were in Basel, Switzerland.

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Rare Dirndl Customer Spotlight: Eric & Elizabeth Brotten

Eric & Elizabeth Brotten - Minneapolis, MN

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!

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The Ultimate Summer Blouse: The Blouslette!

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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Best Throwback Thursday!! #tbtdirndl

Last week and threw out the challenge to everyone to dig into their old photo albums and find a picture of their first dirndl and post it to Instagram of Facebook for Throwback Thursday using #tbtdirndl. I was blown away by the response. In case you didn't get a chance to see, here are some of the great first/favorite dirndl pictures that were posted on social media last week.

Gerti from LA posted this pic of her first dirndl in Austria in 1969

The Becker Family with all the boys in their first lederhosen!

Thanks to my grandma I found my a picture of my first dirndl - 1989

The Los Angeles Tanzgruppe debuting their new group dirndls in 1997

Erika first dirndl! (different Erika ;-)

Marie in her dirndl in 1968

Monika's first little blue dirndl - 1992

Rosina's first dirndl after moving to the USA in the 60s

Loved seeing all the old pictures and seeing all the conversations it spurred! In our house it sure brought up a lot of great memories. The fun doesn't have to end though, feel free to continue to post pics using #tbtdirndl.

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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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Finally an Off-the-Shoulder Blouse that STAYS Off-the-shoulder!

The Leopard Dirndl with Off-the-Shoulder Blouse

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.

Even the Detroit Red Wings Team loves their Off-the-Shoulder Blouses! 

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!

NEW! Wildflower Dirndl

Also if you want to make sure you get your Off-the-Shoulder Blouse before they are sold out, click this link http://bit.ly/QCsaRz  

Ever wonder what dirndl style you are? 
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