About the traditional Oktoberfest

Just like medieval costumes on St George's Day, you should also wear the right outfit at an Oktoberfest. But it's quite simple: men wear leather trousers and shirts, women wear dresses - called "dirndls". If you want to go for the classic Oktoberfest outfit, there are a few things you should bear in mind.

Leather trousers are about the length of shorts and are a must for every man. They have to be tight-fitting and worn with so-called Loferl trousers. These are similar to socks. Rather, they are a type of fabric band worn under the knees on the calves. And they are definitely a must for short leather trousers. It's important that skin is visible between the calf and foot. A proper Bavarian men's costume should also include traditional shoes. Any other shoes are a no-go! Add a traditional shirt on top and the man is ready for the Oktoberfest.

As already mentioned, the woman can't do without a dirndl. Traditionally, a white blouse is worn with it, but another colour is also fine. The most important thing is that the colour matches the dirndl. The dirndl apron, which should ideally match the length of the hem of the dirndl, should not be missing from the outfit. To be prepared for cooler temperatures, for example in the evening, we recommend a jacket, the so-called Janker, which is traditionally made from sheep's wool. Alternatively, a common cardigan is just as suitable. As with men, the right footwear is crucial even for women. Simple traditional shoes with a block heel are a classic choice. Classic pumps, but also ballerinas or loafers can be worn just as well. But please do not wear trainers or boots!

Braided hairstyles are recommended. However, there are no guidelines. It's more important that the hairstyle still fits after a cheerful party. A traditional hat is also often worn. This headgear can be the solution if the hairstyle simply won't stay in place or if you want to save yourself the trouble of styling it.

Oktoberfest Munich is the world's most popular folk festival. People from all over the world celebrate every year to the sound of cheerful folk music - with a pint of beer, Hendl (roast chicken) and Breze (traditional pretzel pastries). The Oktoberfest has already over 200 years of history.

Its beginnings date back to 1810, when the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen was celebrated with a big horse race. Thus the Oktoberfest was born. Over time, it grew into an ever larger festival with hundreds of stands today - carousels and swings, beer tents and, of course, chicken roasting.

Unfortunately, the history of the Oktoberfest also has a dark side: In 1980, a right-wing extremist terrorist killed twelve people and himself in a bomb attack in front of the main entrance. In addition more than 200 people were injured. A memorial at the entry commemorates the victims of the terrorist attack.

Nevertheless, the folk festival on the centrally located "Theresienwiese" is a very popular event year after year. Several million people celebrate here for around two weeks. And a lot of beer is drunk!