Sunday, July 11, 2010

Dirndls, Trachtenmode, Bavaria, Oh My!


One of the most amazing things about being a foreigner living abroad is how clearly you can see certain things that the native locals simply cannot. Take, for example, Trachtenmode.


Trachtenmode is the traditional costume of Bavaria and Austria, best known in its form of a dirndl and Lederhosen to the rest of the world. But there are also lots of dress that are "dinrdl light" (no apron, no frilly blouse) and adorable long country style circle skirts. At its very best, Trachtenmode is colorful, playful, feminine with just a touch of frill and often covered in Alpine flowers. It just doesn't get much cuter than that....


Yet when I show this clothing to my (German, but not Bavarian) husband he always says "No way! You can't wear that!" His cultural conditioning has just blinded him to how great they really are. Luckily there is a whole world out there with women who just might see the cuteness that I see. ;)

2 comments:

  1. I love the Trachtenmode! Especially that last dress. I found the cutest handmade sundress and matching jacket in an antique store while I was on vacation, and it had a very sweet, Trachtenmode-y Alpine print.

    Great photos!

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  2. Thanks Karen! Yes, it really is cute stuff. Probably plenty of it to be had in Michigan too from what I hear from my Michigander friends here in Berlin. :)

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