Children’s traditional costumes

In traditional costume, the little ones make their grand entrance.

During the day, particularly at the popular afternoon festivities, the Oktoberfest stage belongs to the little ones. And when Mom is wearing a trendy dirndl and Dad is sporting a pair of lederhosen as they saunter across the Oktoberfest grounds, it is only fitting that their offspring is similarly dressed. Children’s traditional costumes are extremely eye-catching and most children happily wear them.

It’s Oktoberfest, baby!

Many parents instill a love of Oktoberfest in their children from birth. It is, therefore, only logical that they also start to find suitable clothes in the early years. Even for the very youngest, the groundwork for fashion can be laid for future trips to Oktoberfest. Babies in traditional-style romper suits or bodysuits are even sweeter than an afternoon at the Oktoberfest’s Café Kaiserschmarrn. Proper dirndls are even available for children from six months, and it’s plain to see that traditional costumes can be teamed with anything — even diapers. A traditional shirt, Tyrolean jacket and felt hat are also available in sizes for this age group. That’s how you toast the event in proper style — with soda, of course.

Traditional children’s costumes for daily wear

As casual wear, and until a proper pair of lederhosen or a dirndl fits, little darlings can choose from comfortable cotton traditional-style clothing. A comfy brown trousers for crawling teamed with a checked shirt indicate a love of all things traditional just as well as any other, and can withstand big and small ‘diaper accidents’ much better than traditional leather versions. Little girls that are already able to walk can also wear the apron with their favorite dress and don’t necessarily have to team it with a blouse and dirndl. Anyway, the blouses are the one item of traditional clothing that young children don’t particularly enjoy wearing. A good alternative in place of blouses are white shirts, whether with long sleeves or short, with frills or without. T-shirts with traditional diamond patterns, Bavarian logotypes (e.g. ‘Für Lausbuam’) or regional motifs such as Bavarian gentians, pretzels or gingerbread hearts can be found in every size and are ideal as casual wear. A no-go for adults, however. Think ‘Wiesn-Fasching’. It’s fine for children, though.

Gallery: Traditional fashion at the Oktoberfest

Children can also feel comfortable in traditional costume on the Wiesn

True traditional costume with flowers on the bodice

The Wiesn servers also wear traditional costumes, of course

A visit to the Wiesn is best in dirndls and lederhosen

The men wear Loferl or Wadlstrümpf on their legs

You could argue about T-shirts, but not about the ladies' dirndls

Accessories to team with traditional clothing for children

Naturally, children don’t have much use for trendy bags and the like. But little angels also shouldn’t have to do without cool traditional-style accessories. Virtually everything is available to buy in a special Oktoberfest edition. Pacifiers with Bavarian designs, delightful leather look shoes for crawling, or a small traditional hat allow the little ones to make a big impact.

Traditional clothing for children: let them decide

While babies and toddlers can generally be dressed in almost any clothes without objection, the same can’t be said for older children. A child’s personal taste should be taken into consideration, otherwise traditional clothing won’t be fun for them. For some children, wearing traditional clothing evokes the feeling of wearing a costume and it makes them uncomfortable. If junior is performing with the ‘Schuhplattler’ association or little miss is helping to put up the maypole, it’s important not to adhere too strictly to Bavarian dress code. Suffice it to say that children in traditional attire are a sight to behold, but nobody should be forced to wear traditional costumes at Oktoberfest if they have not (yet) succumbed to their charm.