Bavaria is currently enjoying its first days of spring: 20 degrees, sunshine, and a light wind from the mountain. And that means that the beer gardens are starting to fill up with lads in lederhosen and girls in dirndls. If you’re heading over to Munich or anywhere else in south Germany this summer, there’s no better way to enjoy that special summer feeling than to get the right dirndl. What’s more, it’s never too early to start preparing for the Oktoberfest, so why not start steal a march on everyone and taking a look at the dirndls ahead of time? To help you make the right choice this year, we’ve decided to present our favourite dirndls of the 2018 season in four categories.
The best mini-length dirndl
Are you someone who likes to go for that young carefree look – and doesn’t like being encumbered by heavy fabric, especially when the temperatures go up (as they always do in Bavarian beer tents)? If so, then mini-dirndls are for you, and in the category 50-60cm skirt length, our favourite is this lovely model by Krüger Dirndl. Made of 100% cotton, it’s sure to keep you cool while its low-cut neckline will keep the heat up around you… With the shiny metal details on the lace-up front and its on-trend dusky shades, this is the party dirndl for 2018.
The best mid-length dirndl
The midi dirndl category (skirts between 60 and 70cm) is the Goldilocks length that most women find ‘neither too short nor too long’. With a skirt that just covers the knees, mid-length models keep purists happy while leaving the wearer more freedom than a classic full-length model – also in style terms, this year’s winner in the category proves. Stockerpoint’s effort with a button-up, closed neckline front is bang on trend in 2018; the polyester fabric has a festive sheen while the printed apron offers more interest on repeated examination. What is more, the toned-down blue and green shades flatter almost any shade of skin and give the outfit a quality couture air.
The best full-length dirndl
Stockerpoint takes the money in this often-neglected category with its classic full-length dirndl Leonora in black. With a 96cm skirt, this is the real deal in terms of Bavarian tradition and won’t raise an eyebrow anywhere; nevertheless, its decorative neckline and stand-up collar are anything but standard and, combined with a button-up dirndl blouse make for an unusual but eye-catching outline at the bust. This dirndl is about understated elegance and a timeless yet contemporary fashion look and, as such, is just perfect both for dirndl purists and for staff serving in more formal Bavarian hospitality contexts.
The best plus-size dirndl
In all areas of fashion, designers are notorious for neglecting the needs of plus-size ladies, and Bavarian clothing is, unfortunately, no different. That’s why we’re delighted to be able to feature this fantastic dirndl in coral pink by Marjo. With its glowing colour and shining apron, this is a dirndl for girly girls, its playfulness underlined by its floral patterning. This cotton-lined dirndl is just perfect for warmer weather – and that makes it our recommendation in this category for the summer season 2018.