RahVol50

My wife and I are going to Oktoberfest this fall and plan to immerse ourselves completely in the festivities, including donning lederhosen and dirndls. I have seen a few sites (including E-Bay) that sell them, but I have no idea what constitutes good quality. To avoid looking like Clark Griswold in European Vacation, can anyone provide a good site where I may find them? I assume it would be cheaper to buy them over here than to pay premium prices in Munich during Oktoberfest.

Any tips about lederhosen/dirndl etiquette would be appreciated too.

treplow

Try Lodenfrey in Munich. I don't know if they still cary Lederhosen, but I'm sure they can direct you. They probably do carry Dirndls. If you buy the stuff over there, you can expect to get your VAT back, if you have the proper papers from the store (they know what they are) and have enough time at the airport before your flight to do the formalitiers. However, you have to show your purchases to the "Zollbeamte", customs official.

Lederhosen etiquette? Never, ever wash you Lederhosen. It is only correctly broken in, if stands by itself when put it between two chairs. As to whether you want to wear underwear underneath? That's "Geschmacksache" (a matter of taste) (and probably age, i.e. how important is it that you can quickly lower the middle flap on the shorts on the Hosen). Also remember, to really look genuine, you have to wear Wadln Socks (halfway, at the calf), a hat and DON'T chew gum.

Lawchick

The lederhosen/dirndl thing depends on whether you want the genuine article or the "fantasy" model. The genuine article is a lot more expensive. The dirndls are not the low cut sexy variety...and the patter is a bit like that of a kilt - in that you can identify where it comes from (in Austria moreso than Germany).

Genuine Lederhosen are very expensive as they are hand made and the buttons are made out of antler bone etc.

For relatively cheap (fantasy) stuff
http://www.trachten-angermaier.de/home.php

For medium stuff
http://www.landhaus-trachtenmode.de/

For genuine stuff
http://www.loden-frey.com/main.html#Szene_1

quokka

All department stores in Munich have affordable Dirndl and Lederhosen in September, so if you don't want to spend too much money look there.

SuzieCII

Well, there are restaurant uniform supply houses as well with the manniquins arrayed in Bavarian Finery, for not a lot of money.
That said, NONE of my Husband's family in Germany would wear those clothes, unless it was a custume party... naah, not even then.
DH's daughter and SO in their late thirties wear jeans and easily washed clothing to Octoberfest. Spilled beer, mustard, kraut, etc.

Lawchick

I posted this link previously for the cut price option

......the lederhosen tee
http://www.wiesn.de/product_info.php...s_id/155?ref=3

amsdon

What is the deal with the little "brush" in the man's hat. I hear those are also critical and can be expensive? What is it made of?

Lawchick

The little brush is usually goat hair but feathers can also be used.

treplow

Actually, the TRUE brush is the "beard" of a chamois (Gemsbart), but tyey are very expensive.

Pegontheroad

I've always thought some of the Bavarian "Tracht" is quite good-looking for a man. It's not lederhosen, which I doubt that your husband will ever wear again, but it's Bavarian-style clothing.

schatzie8

I have a beautiful authenic Lederhosen, (hubby comes from Germany) which I would like to sell. My husband and I used to belong to a German dance club, had to ware Lederhosen / dirndl. Don't know what size you are but Email me at: [email protected] if interested.
Andrea

Pago

You really need to be well built to look good in a dirndl..

ekscrunchy

Oh, only the men, then?

Pvoyageuse

The problem with Lederhosen is that you have to break them in. Good luck. Takes months of sore thighs and sore bottom . Plus you'll look ridiculous outside Bavaria

Pago

We've been to 8 or 9 'Fests and we see lots of locals wearing lederhosen/dirndls. Pretty neat and they look great. The gals are built.