A Glimpse from the Past: Native German Clothing (Dirndl and Tracht)

Each country has its own set of cultural values making it special: language, cuisine, traditions, etc. Dress is also a national peculiarity. Speaking of Germany, Dirndl dress and Lederhosen are the typical pieces of clothes.  
Until the 16th century, farmers and people of the lower classes used to wear gray or brown-colored garments. No other colors were worn at that time except for the blue. Blue-colored clothes were allowed only on Sundays and holidays. Since the 16th century, two types of traditional country dress developed: work clothes and Sunday/festive dress. The best examples of these styles are native dress (Tracht) and folk-style dress (Dirndl). There are certain differences between them. Here they are:


By the middle of the 19th century, when the industrial revolution took place, the native dress with its specific means of production and only natural materials began to disappear. Instead, the factory-made fabrics entered the life and conquered the market of clothes due to its reasonable price. In the end of the 19th century, native dress came back to life with a new wave of popularity and national consciousness. Native dress was the main symbol of ethnic identity, and folk tradition movements made it their target to revive the national clothing and save it from total disappearing. For that "Volkstrachtenvereine" - "Native Dress Societies" - were created and quickly spread. As a result, thousands of different costumes have been preserved or rescued from oblivion.

( table and information from germanculture.com )

The typical Dirndl as seen in the below picture is the most accurate to those worn at the time. You'll notice these ones button quite high, ie no cleavage showing and that it is just under knee length - can be longer than this, but not shorter.  It was very unseen by ladies and very unbecoming unless you were a certain type of female, to show above this length.  Endless fabrics (cotton/Baumwolle) and style varients of this are available, and they can be picked up ridiculously cheap if you so wish and have the time to persue German internet shops for example .  Though don't forget most places sell the Dirndl alone, and you will also need a blouse to go with it (Dirndlbluse) as it is not the done thing to wear a Dirndl without one. It is advised to check the measurements given, as the top part of a Dirndl is quite tight fitting, so better to go for one size bigger for perfect fit and comfort.




Not forgetting of cause, Dirndls were made more popular in the era by Eva Braun wearing one