For months, we have been preparing for the Oktoberfest season. Basically, already at the "Wiesn" itself, where we observe the visitors closely in the tents on site. Every January, we go to trade fairs in Salzburg and Munich and buy the most beautiful dirndls, dirndl blouses, "Janker" jackets, lederhosen, and traditional accessories for you. For our own Almliebe collection, we start even earlier, gather information on fabric fairs in Milan and Munich about fabric and color trends, scour the internet, and above all, listen to our gut feeling. Which fashion trends influence the new traditional outfits, which dirndl colors will be important, what do our customers ask for, what is the mood like at the many folk festivals in Munich and Bavaria, and what is being worn there? Now, the Almliebe Sisters Stefanie and Sonja Ragaller will show you the most important "Wiesn" trends for Oktoberfest, which starts this year on September 19th!
Oktoberfest Trends 2026: What Women in Munich Are Really Wearing – the Trachten Trends by Almliebe
Which dirndl colors are trending in 2026?
Generally, the Oktoberfest season is always a bit darker in terms of color than the traditional costume collections in spring. The new models will be in stores starting in July. This time, strong dirndl colors will be:
Berry tones, Bordeaux, Violet, and Lilac. This looks modern and elegant. In the Almliebe collection, we have a striking dirndl made from Italian cotton corduroy, patterned in Bordeaux with buttons and a matching tone-on-tone apron. And a dark violet dirndl made from Alcantara with a matching, slightly shimmering apron. Our high-necked dirndl with puff sleeves made from a floral, elegant jacquard fabric from France also combines the trend colors green and berry.
Shades of green from light sage green to strong green tones and dark olive are in vogue for dirndls this autumn. Our green Almliebe linen dirndl in fir green with frogmouth trim made of linen with a matching green apron with braided closure looks fresh and still summery light. Almliebe also offers a fashionable high-necked dirndl with slightly puffed sleeves made from a beautiful jacquard fabric from France, which we had in our collection many years ago.
Not everyone dares to wear black for a Dirndl. But black has long since moved beyond the realm of service Dirndl. Dirndl in black look elegant and fashionable, especially our new Almliebe Dirndl with a completely new cut: the shoulder is overcut and narrow, the sleeve voluminous and adorned with three elegant brooches each. Very stylish and innovative. However, we also have a more traditional black option, our anniversary Dirndl Lina made of black linen with an embroidered beige trim from Italy and interchangeable apron ties in black, red, and green.
Blue in traditional costume is an evergreen. Preferably classically simple with a matching blue dirndl apron. But Almliebe has come up with something new here too, bringing out a dark blue dirndl made of sturdy canvas fabric with military elements. This means the high-necked bodice is decorated with black velvet stripes and gold buttons. Very avant-garde and informed.
Natural tones are perfect for those who prefer brighter colors. No longer just for wedding dirndls. The color palette ranges from champagne to taupe to nougat. Almliebe offers a taupe-colored linen dirndl with an elegant silk apron in champagne.
Neckline, cap sleeves, or puff sleeves? Which dirndl bodices are in style?
The days of showing a lot of cleavage are over. Ladies prefer elegant and classic, not vulgar and revealing. The bodice in most dirndl collections is therefore no longer cut very low, hinting without revealing too much. Fashionably modern are both elegant buttons and the simple hook closure, which makes the dirndl appear even more minimalistic overall. Half-sleeve dirndls with puff sleeves, high-necked or with a cutout, are very much in trend. The main thing is a little volume on the arm, just like it was popular in the 80s. Only interpreted in a modern way. The cap sleeve on the dirndl goes into the next round. The angelic shoulder area looks young and playful and can also be worn without a dirndl blouse, as can the half-sleeve dirndls, by the way. Many models now offer detachable cap sleeves, so you can vary your dirndl look wonderfully.
What dirndl lengths are people wearing in 2026?
In general, dirndls have become longer in recent years. It should definitely end above the knee, not above it. Especially the pioneering dirndl brands like Gottseidank, Coco Vero, and Almliebe predominantly showcase midi-dirndls with a skirt length of around 80cm. Younger girls prefer shorter dirndls with a 70cm skirt length, for example from Marjo. Mini-dirndls with skirt lengths around 60cm are hardly found in dirndl collections anymore. So, less is no longer more.
The Trachten shooting star: the three-piece suit
For a few months now, more and more bodices with classic cuts, but also with sleeves, have been appearing. Some girls simply wear the bodices with casual trousers in summer. What could make a comeback now and would go well with them is short women's leather trousers. Almliebe has a particularly beautiful model made of goatskin from Beckert in its range: simple, without embroidery and not quite so short. However, the three-piece ensemble becomes classic and complete – as the name suggests – with a traditional skirt and traditional apron. The three-piece ensemble with a bodice with a peplum at the back is very common in the Tegernsee region. At the famous forest festivals from Kreuth to Bad Wiessee, you can see the most beautiful variations of it. Almliebe has also reacted to this trend and is bringing many linen bodices with puff sleeves in green, blue and beige to the Oktoberfest. Even more festive are our models made of violet Alcantara and of black velvet printed with small flowers.
Quality over Bling-Bling – Why Glitter Dirndls Are Out
Quality over glitter, tradition over price. Especially in these challenging times, people long for timelessness, tradition, and craftsmanship. They choose a true favorite dirndl, waistcoat, and lederhosen instead of chasing short-term trends. At Almliebe, high-quality materials such as linen, velvet, and woven jacquard fabrics from small weaving mills and fabric manufacturers have always been the focus. The Almliebe collection (dirndls, waistcoats, and jackets) is produced in a small manufactory in Southern Germany, not in China like other low-cost traditional costume brands. The Almliebe sisters prioritize a good fit and artisanal perfection. But even with brands offering good value for money like Marjo, simple, often monochromatic tone-on-tone fabrics are prevailing, replacing overly short mini-dirndls adorned with sequins and rhinestones.
The Ultimate Oktoberfest Styling Guide: How to Properly Style Your Dirndl?
Of course, the dirndl is always the center of attention. In short, for this Oktoberfest, it's the midi dirndl with puff sleeves in trendy colors like burgundy, purple, black, or green. A fun accessory: the dirndl charivari, a silver chain with charms that you attach to the dirndl apron. Or the revived traditional scarf with a clasp. The best footwear to go with it is cool ankle boots or loafers; on hot days, ballerinas or summery, pointed slingback shoes are also an option. It's better to choose individual bags rather than overly kitschy traditional bags. Short traditional lace socks in white or black are cute, as are the elegant hold-up stockings from Gottseidank. And, of course, a jacket is important at the Oktoberfest, especially in autumn temperatures. New knitted jackets with puff sleeves and volume perfectly complement wing-sleeved or half-sleeved dirndls!
Our Almliebe Oktoberfest Favorites 2026
That's what the traditional costume experts Stefanie and Sonja Ragaller from Almliebe say.
Sonja:"My favorite dirndl for Oktoberfest will be a black Almliebe dirndl that we have newly developed. Made from an elegant, internally patterned jacquard fabric from Austria, with an oversized shoulder section and a lot of volume in the arm. Very stylish and innovative!
"Steffi:"I've already fallen in love with a Bordeaux-colored dirndl made of internally patterned baby cord with elegant buttons and a matching apron!"