Oktoberfest, which originally began as a celebration of a royal wedding more than 200 years ago, has since evolved into one of the most famous and celebrated annual festivals in the world.
Attracting more than seven million visitors every year to the German town of Munich, the folk festival synonymous with lederhosen and obscene quantities of drinking has also been embraced by other countries across the world.
The U.S. is no different, with cities and towns across the nation erecting their own huge tents in an attempt to recreate the Bavarian experience for the two-week period between late September and early October.
While not required, wearing the traditional Oktoberfest outfits is a major part of the experience if you are planning on taking part in the activities, so it is essential to make sure you have the basics down.
Lederhosen
Luckily for the men, their traditional Bavarian outfit is much simpler than women's and consists of fewer items.
The most famous, and arguably most key, piece of clothing is the lederhosen complete with suspenders. Traditionally made from leather, although can also be made from suede, the shorts are meant to end just past the knees, although other lengths are available.
Slouch socks
These socks are usually white and made of cotton or wool with an off-white color. Whether you have the socks pulled up or down depends on the size of the lederhosen you are wearing. Most men chose to push the socks sown if their shorts end below their knee, and pull them up if are are wearing the shorter ones.
Light shirt
Bavarian trachten shirts are the most common worn at the festival, essential checkered or plaid shirts, but plain white shirts are also popular. The key thing is to not wear a T-shirt underneath your lederhosen under any circumstance.
Haferl shoes
These traditional shoes are meant to be a combination of work boots and dress shoe and are characterized by their thick soles and are a mixture of clogs and loafers in in appearance. Black and brown are usually the only colors worn.
Hat
While not essential, you may choose to wear an alpine hat made of felt with a feather tucked into the brim if you want to go all out with your outfit.
Dirndl
For women, the staple of the Oktoberfest outfit is the dirndl, a traditional dress which is worn over a white blouse and underneath an apron.
The dirndl can either come in one price, or with a separate bodice and skirt of various length, with the most traditional going all the way to just above your ankles. The dresses are always sleeveless, instead having a strap over the shoulders.
Blouse
The classic dirndl blouse is usually is white and often low cut with puffy sleeves Traditionally the peasant or maid-style blouses do not have any designs or buttons on them, but lacy sleeve options are also an option.
Apron
Worn over the dirndl, traditionally the apron is made from either satin or cotton and tied with a bow. The placement of the bow's knot is also important: on your left side if you're single, right says you are married, at the front means you are pregnant.
Flat shoes
Women have less guidelines to follow than men with regards to shoes, with many usually just sticking to flat shoes, such as ballet shoes or loafers, or Mary Jane shoes with a strap. Heels and shoes with laces are usually avoided.
Accessories
In order to complete your outfit, you may choose to include some add-ons such as a small clutch bag, or traditional Bavarian jewelry including bracelets and necklaces.
The most common forms of jewelry include Weisn necklaces or traditional chains filled with hanging coins added to the front of your bodice.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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