Rare Dirndl Stories & Customer Spotlights

Designer Dirndls on the Runway: Kicking Off Chicago Fashion Week in Style

Rare Dirndl kicked off Chicago Fashion Week in a big way at the Dominican University Alumni Fashion Show. Featuring six stunning designs inspired by German folklore and fantasy, the collection brought bold, high-fashion energy to the runway. From the Dragon Rider Vest to the show-stopping Weaver of the Woods Dirndl, this show celebrated tradition, creativity, and the power of confident women.

January 24, 2025

6 Ways to Incorporate Your Heritage into Your Wedding

When my husband and I were planning our wedding, one of the things we were passionate about was making sure that we incorporated our Donauschwaben and his Swiss heritage into our big day. Our culture is such a big part of our everyday lives, how could we not include it on our wedding day? From the little details to the major components, there are essentially 6 ways to bring your heritage into your wedding and I’ll use our wedding as an example. These ideas can also be applied to pretty much any culture!

December 29, 2024

Customer Spotlight: Sunny Anderson - The Food Network Star's Oktoberfest Dress!

Join us as we revisit the Food Network star, Sunny Anderson's unforgettable trip to Oktoberfest in 2023, where she turned heads and stole the show in three Rare Dirndls. From the sleek Little Black Dirndl to the playful Harlequin Dirndl and the earthy Herbology Dirndl, Sunny's fashion choices added an extra layer of excitement to the festivities. Get ready to indulge your taste buds and ignite your sense of adventure—because with Sunny, every bite and every outfit is an experience worth savoring.

March 12, 2024

Krupa's Custom Sari Dirndl - Indian German Mashup

When Krupa decided to celebrate her 40th birthday at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, her initial Oktoberfest dress search didn't go as well as she had hoped. She wasn't finding anything that really spoke to her in any online dirndl shops. Because what she really wanted for this milestone trip, was a dirndl that seamlessly blended the elegance of her Indian roots with the charm of traditional Bavarian festival attire. Luckily for Krupa, she found Rare Dirndl!

November 15, 2023

Should I buy a Dirndl before I go to Germany, or get it there?

Buying a Dirndl in Germany Versus Buying in the US

So, you're going to Oktoberfest in Munich and you find yourself in need of a dirndl. Now the question is, do you buy before you go there or buy it in Munich?

October 04, 2023

How She Wore It: Amanda's Punk Princess Look

Before heading out for the day near St. Louis MO, Amanda got all dolled up in her Periwinkle Everyday Dirndl with a whole bunch of matching accessories that brought out her personality and made her feel like an everyday princess.

April 19, 2023

Heritage + Personal Style = Perfect Dirndl: Steph's Customer Spotlight

Hello! My name is Steph Betley and I am a special education teacher from Minnesota. In my free time, I enjoy shopping, yoga, and spending time with my friends and family.

April 19, 2023

How to Travel Bavaria Like a Local

Recently, Rare Dirndl paired up with American Expat, LeAnna Brown, author and creator of the English-speaking Germany Travel Blog, Wander In Germany. Today, we are going to get to know her a bit more, what led her to Germany, chat a bit about Trachten (Dirndls and Lederhosen), and even find out some of her favorite travel tips for visiting Germany!

February 15, 2023

How She Wore It: Amanda's Homeland Dirndl

I first met Amanda after her husband ordered a dirndl for her and then 2 more dirndls later the family came to visit the Rare Dirndl Design Studio! Amanda writes for her own blog where she talks about things like her homeschooling techniques, recipes she's tried, and outfits she styles… including her dirndls!

January 05, 2023

How She Wore It: Ashley's Oktoberfest Looks

Ashley Smith is a smart & witty world traveler, blogger, and Oktoberfest enthusiast who has become a go-to source for people all over across the globe looking to travel to Munich, Germany. Her website, MyWanderlustyLife.com is full of outstanding information especiall when it comes to THE Oktoberfest!

October 13, 2022

How She Wore It: Ingrid's Everyday Dirndl

I first met Ingrid at a German American event in Saint Paul Minnesota. I had a small pop-up shop set up at the event and she came with her family. Looking through the racks she started talking to me about her self-proclaimed absolute love for Dirndls. From there she became a regular customer and I had the extreme privilege of creating her wedding gown which was (aber natürluch) a dirndl.

August 17, 2022

Dirndl Stories: Dirndl origins and everyday wear

Dirndls originated as a day dress with an apron and blouse for folks to wear while they worked in rural areas surrounding the Alps. Since washing clothes was not as easy as tossing it in the machine, these 2 separate pieces were very practical because they could wash the blouse and apron more often. Over time the style became more common, recognized as a regional folk dress and eventually it evolved into a style of fashion.

February 04, 2022