Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest Outfits in Australia
Every spring, Oktoberfest arrives in Australia, and with it the same question: what do I actually wear?
There is a difference between dressing up and dressing authentically, and that difference is Tracht.
Schnucki is Australia's only authentic Dirndl and Lederhosen shop.
Every piece is hand-picked by Mama Schnucki at the world's biggest traditional clothing fair in Salzburg, then sent out from Brisbane in sizes for every body, every shape and every gender.
What to wear to Oktoberfest: Women
A Dirndl is three pieces working as one. The dress, the blouse underneath, and the Apron tied over the top.
Get those three right and the rest is decoration.
- Dirndl - mini, midi or long, in the colours of this season's Salzburg pick
- Dirndl blouses - the neckline does most of the styling work
- Hats and headpieces - a hair ribbon, a felt hat, a flower crown
- Jewellery and accessories - a Charivari, a necklace, a hair ribbon
Left means single. Right means taken. Back means widow, or working the beer tents.
Which side you tie the Apron bow on says something, and Bavarians read it. The full story is in The secret of the Dirndl Apron bow.
What to wear to Oktoberfest: Men
Real Lederhosen are never washed.
They soften, they darken, they take on the shape of the man wearing them, and they get handed down.
A brand new pair is the beginning of that story.
- Lederhosen - Plattler (short) or Kniebund (long, to the knee)
- Shirts - checked or plain, always tucked
- Shoes and socks - Haferl shoes and Stutzen to finish the leg
- Belts and hats - the details that finish it properly
New to it? Start with the Lederhosen buying guide.
Bringing the Kids
Tracht is a family tradition, and it always has been.
Schnucki dresses the little ones too, from babies through to the ones who insist on choosing their own.
The pieces that finish the look
An outfit becomes a look in the details.
A hat with a feather, a Charivari swinging from the Lederhosen, the right bag for a long day.
Short on time? Take a bundle
If you would rather not assemble the outfit piece by piece, Mama Schnucki has done it for you.
- Ladies' Oktoberfest Dirndl Bundle - Dirndl, blouse and Apron, ready to wear
- Men's Oktoberfest Lederhosen Bundle - pre-loved Lederhosen with a brand new shirt in your size
Sizing, fit and the Size Fit Guarantee
Tracht is built to be adjusted, which is exactly why it suits every body.
Lacing, ties and generous seams mean a Dirndl can be shaped to you rather than the other way around. That is the Size Fit Guarantee.
- Size charts for women, men and kids
- Large sizes
- Are you wearing the right bra for your Dirndl?
Brisbane locals can try before they buy. Schnucki Land, the boutique, is open by appointment - book a fitting with Mama Schnucki.
Get it right before you walk in
- Oktoberfest style check
- Lederhosen sins and other Tracht mistakes
- Dirndl buying guide
- How to dress in Tracht
Oktoberfest questions, answered
Is a Dirndl a costume?
No. A Dirndl is traditional German clothing, worn for centuries and still worn today at weddings, festivals and Sunday lunches across Bavaria and Austria. A costume is something you wear once for a laugh. Tracht is something you keep, wear again, and eventually hand on.
What should I wear to Oktoberfest in Australia?
Women: a Dirndl, blouse and Apron. Men: Lederhosen, a shirt, Stutzen socks and Haferl shoes. Australian Oktoberfest events run through spring, so choose fabrics you can stand a warm afternoon in, and remember that a Dirndl in a lighter cotton is as authentic as a heavy one.
Which side does the Apron bow go on?
Left for single, right for taken, back for widowed or for the women working the beer tents. Tie it before you walk in, not after someone asks.
I am plus size. Will a Dirndl suit me?
Yes. Tracht was made for real bodies long before fashion sizing existed, and the lacing does the work. Schnucki stocks every size and Mama Schnucki has yet to meet the body a Dirndl does not flatter.
Can I wear it again after Oktoberfest?
That is rather the point. Real Tracht is worn to weddings, Christmas markets, birthdays and any occasion that deserves something better than jeans. Lederhosen in particular are meant to last decades.
Do you ship across Australia?
Yes, and worldwide. Details are on the shipping and delivery page. If Oktoberfest is close, order early - the season is busy and the best sizes go first.
Can I see the pieces in person?
Yes. Schnucki Land in Brisbane is open by appointment, and a fitting with Mama Schnucki is the fastest way to find the one. Get in touch to book.
Ready when you are
Real Tracht, hand-picked in Salzburg, sized for everybody, and shipped from Brisbane.
Pick your outfit, and Mama Schnucki will see you at the beer tent. Prost.