Why are dirndl dresses trending on Zalando?
We think you will be intrigued by our range of dirndl dresses, one of the freshest new trends to arrive on Zalando. The dirndl (pronounced durn-del, by the way) dress originated in the Alpine regions of Germany, Austria and Switzerland and first entered the fashion mainstream nearly two centuries ago, when tourists fell in love with the locals’ traditional costume and began wearing it themselves after they returned to their home towns and cities.
The popularity of dirndl dresses eventually diminished and the style has been an outlier in fashion terms ever since; although, interestingly, it has never been totally forgotten – Vivienne Westwood has been quoted in praise of the dirndl dress and Karl Lagerfeld included a punk remix of the style in a 2013 collection. However, the recent emergence of summery gingham dresses with an air of faux-peasant country living about them has been accompanied by a new appreciation of the qualities of the dirndl dress.
So, what will you find when you explore the trend? There is a lot to unpack here because, in fact, the dirndl is about a beautifully balanced combination of three garments to give the distinctive look. There is a sleeveless, close-fitting bodice adjusted to fit perfectly by means of a drawstring lacing up the front, from top to bottom; there is a full skirt, gathered into a high waistband, falling in soft rounded pleats and usually to a flattering ballerina length; and then there is a smooth apron, hanging straight down over the skirt, from a wide sash tied in a bow around the waist. The bodice has a low-cut neckline and is worn over a lacy, short-sleeved blouse, often, but not necessarily, in dazzling white.
How to wear a dirndl?
We love the dirndl dresses we have chosen to showcase on Zalando because they retain all the features of a traditional dirndl dress, to ensure the look is preserved. Dirndl dresses make use of the contrast between frills and smooth layers. There’s the lacy edges of a short-sleeved blouse peeping out from under the smooth lines of the fitted bodice, echoed in the wavy pleats of the full skirt emerging from beneath the flat plane of the apron. Then there is the supremely flattering cut of the bodice; drawn in to fit perfectly around the upper body; it frames the neck and shoulders and accentuates the narrowness of the waist. The apron and its wide sash also hug and emphasise the waist, which appears slim in comparison to the wide skirt, falling in soft, mobile gathers to a mid-calf hemline.
The dirndl dress is a simple concept, but (depending on the execution) it can look elaborate, and so accessories need to be chosen carefully to complement rather than compete with the look. The low-cut bodice with a shaped neckline over a lacy blouse can be accessorised with a choker-style necklace, a traditional Bavarian goitre necklace or a pendant on a chiffon ribbon, all sitting snugly above the collarbones and well above the clothing, drawing attention to the neck rather than to the clothing; the outfit attracts the eye without any additional ornamentation. There is more leeway when it comes to choosing earrings – traditionally, a dirndl dress is paired with earrings featuring a flower motif based on the beloved Alpine edelweiss, but most earrings make a pretty finishing touch, especially if the hair is drawn away from the face. The same applies to shoes – they do not need to make their own statement, they work better as part of the ensemble; a plain ballerina slip or low-heeled pump would fit the bill perfectly. Check out our selection of women’s shoes on Zalando to see what we mean.
Traditionally a dirndl dress was part of a regional ‘trachten’ or rustic garment style that included long hair divided into two plaits, which were then pinned up to encircle the head like a coronet. The takeaway from the original style is that long hair worn loose could detract from the blouse/bodice pairing and the way it highlights the neck and lower face; so if you have long hair, think about tying it up in a ponytail or a bun with a velvet ribbon and possibly adding a plain headband to echo the original braided coronet look.
Is a dirndl dress suitable formal wear for special occasions?
Yes, most definitely; the dirndl dress is more than its folksy heritage might suggest at first sight and, in somewhat the same way as the Scottish kilt, it has extended its impact far beyond the confines of being a picturesque regional costume. When you look at our collection of dirndl dresses on Zalando, you will see the styles range from fun takes on the traditional ensemble in funky colours and quirky patterns to elegant designer interpretations from brands such as Marjo and Only.
The beautiful dirndl-inspired pieces showcase all the essential elements of the dirndl, assembled into a one-piece dress; it retains the features that make the style so flattering while reinterpreting the traditional design in a new and sophisticated look, which is both understated and graceful enough for the most formal of occasions. The bright contrasting colours have been reimagined as refined tones of a single colour. In some cases, the blouse has been incorporated into the overall design, helping to keep the flattering decolletage without the prominent shoulder straps of the separately worn traditional bodice, while in others, the typical lace-up front of the bodice has been retained to bridge the gap between a traditional three-piece dirndl dress and a slightly more informal one-piece party dress.
The best way of finding out what is behind fashionistas' renewed interest in the dirndl dress, its fascinating history and its easy-to-wear charm is to take a look at the collection of styles we have put together for you on Zalando. We are sure you will fall in love with the lovely feminine shapes created by the original concept, coupled with that special designer touch to refresh and reimagine a classic heritage in such a way that it becomes an up-to-date wardrobe staple and a reliable friend.