If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that we often write about all the different kinds of Bavarian styles there are: ladies in lederhosen, for example, or casual wear for the gents. We also follow trends and novelties very closely, looking at various developments away from the strongly traditional Bavarian Tracht dress codes. Very rarely, however, do we give any hard-and-fast recommendations for “the perfect Bavarian outfit” like so many other manufacturers or fashion pages. Why? Because, as everyone knows, there is no more one single perfect outfit than there is one type of person attracted to traditional Bavarian clothing.
There are, however, perfect outfits for particular occasions – like the Oktoberfest! We recommend particular clothing for the Oktoberfest not simply because it is a celebration of Bavarian style, but also because it is a uniquely tough environment in which to stay stylish: you’ve got to get to the Wiesn, be prepared for sudden changes in the autumnal weather, and be ready to sweat it out in the tents… 
If you’re wondering how to dress practically but stylishly for these conditions, take a look out our recommendations for outfits and our explanations of just why they’re right for the approaching Oktoberfest 2015.
Practical Princess: mid-length dirndl, knitted cardigan
The 60cm Rosali dirndl is a real trending item for 2015 thanks to its fashionable nougat shade – a colour which also happens to be remarkably practical in the Oktoberfest tents, where there is many a slip betwixt cup and lip and the chances of getting beer on your dress at some point quite high. The same can be said of the toffee-coloured pumps, at once classically attractive and as robust as they are water-resistant. At the same time, the pink thread uniting the apron and the lace-up bodice of the dirndl gives the outfit a fun, girly party touch. Just in case festivities are drowned in downpours, however, or it’s cold on the way home, the plain knitted cardigan with the pretty little heart patch on the left-hand pock
et will keep you warm. Practicality for girls who are, at heart, still princesses!
Hot tomboy: leather shorts with checked shirt
Combined with a black-white check sleeveless shirt, these daringly short dark pink leather shorts with their sooty shading are just the thing for repairing motorbikes – and for keeping cool in the Oktoberfest tents while the temperature goes up for the poor lads around you, especially when you combine them with these nappa leather heeled shoes. As well as warming you if the weather turns unexpectedly cold, the delicate knitwear should be enough to remind the boys that – even if you look better at DIY than all of them – you still know how to be feminine. So all in all, this is the perfect Oktoberfest look for ladies who want to turn heads without sticking to stereotypes.
Timeless classic fit for 2015: lederhosen and linen
For the boys, the Oktoberfest is an occasion when it’s best to stick with tried-and-tested styles. In fact, your leather breeches gain in kudos for every year you’ve been wearing them, so by all means, stick with last year’s pair. In fact, it would be a real shame to risk getting a new pair soaked in a beer-related accident – and uncomfortable to sweat in them before they’ve loosened up sufficiently. Speaking of loosening: the same goes for the haferlschuhe boots. If you’ve worn a pair in past blistering point, stick with them! If you’re looking to make a fashion statement, do it with your tops. In this outfit, we’ve gone for a trendy shirt with sporting cuffs in very of-the-moment smoke tones and then paired that up with a brick-red linen waistcoat to make the ensemble more eye-catching – and provide late-night warmth. At the same time, linen won’t overheat in the sweaty tents and so will help you get the most out of this year’s Oktoberfest. Prost!