Oktoberfest Costume History
Back in the 17th Century, Dirndl dress and Lederhosen; the traditional Bavarian outfits were everyday clothes worn by the locals of Munich.
The use of traditional garments saw a fall in the wake of modern fashion trends of the 1800s, and this is when the affluent citizens of Munich began to recapture the magic of the traditional garments available to them at their countryside vacation homes.Â
Thus, began a renaissance of traditional Bavarian clothes, ensuring that this facet of the Alpine culture stays intact.Â
The first Riflemen and Tracht Parade was introduced to the Oktoberfest festivities in 1835, and in 1883 the Traditional Costume Society – Trachtenverein – was established.Â
At present, almost all visitors at the festival dress up in authentic Oktoberfest outfit and costumes.