Everyday Dirndl

Sartorial Saturday–The Rare Dirndl Design Studio

Last week, Bunny and I got to visit Erika Neumayer’s Rare Dirndl Design Studio in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago!

It’s a small studio, which is why you need an appointment to visit, but they pack a lot of great items into the space, including jewelry and other accessories, dirndls, blouses, and even their denim lederhosen! You also get a look at the design space, plus some of the special items they’re working on.

While we were there, Erika showed me a poster she had on display at German Fest in Milwaukee at the end of July. You can imagine how tickled I was to see myself featured front and center!

Bunny was searching for a necklace to go with her dirndl (she found a great one that’s just her style!), but I didn’t have anything too specific I was shopping for. I did have something in mind that I wanted but I wasn’t even sure it existed…a fancy zipper pull to add a little extra bling to my dirndls. I was thrilled to discover Rare Dirndl had just what I had imagined! I picked up a beautiful heart and flower design that I can add to any of my dirndls (but I especially like the way it looks with my periwinkle Everyday Dirndl!):

It was so great to tour the studio (we even got to peek in the basement!), do a little shopping, learn about more about the design process, and especially meet Erika, her adorable children who were helping out that day, and Maria, the studio manager, who kindly took our picture:

I’m so glad we got to stop at the studio when we were in the city!

Sartorial Saturday–The Everyday Dirndl

I’ve already shared my experiences with shopping for unique and beautiful dirndls with Rare Dirndl…now it’s time for a look at something a little more subtle from their shop, but still a form of National Dress that reflects my heritage!

Rare Dirndl offers an “Everyday Dirndl,” which has the same great structure and design as all of their dresses, but in a a solid color palette, where the apron matches the dress. There are also no hooks or ribbons on the front of the dress (although there is an option to add those for an additional fee), so at first glance, anyone who sees you out and about in your dirndl will think it’s a simple sundress…perfect for the first-time dirndl wearer!

I kept my accessories simple for this look, with some Homes Bracelets and a RockLove Nightmare Before Christmas necklace.

Oh, and my Docs, which are the perfect footwear for this dress!

I clearly have no qualms about wearing a full dirndl in public, but I had to get this more simple one because it’s my very favorite color, Pantone’s Color of the Year, periwinkle. The Everyday Dirndl is also available in a multitude of other colors, too, which vary by season.

Because the Everyday Dirndl is made in an easy-to-care-for fabric, you don’t have to worry as much about getting it dirty, since you can throw it in the washing machine!

The Everyday Dirndl is a made-to-order item, which means you have to be patient while it’s created, but that also means that it’s customizable which makes it feel even more one-of-a-kind! I’m looking forward to seeing what colors are available in the future, because you never know when you just need to add another dirndl to your closet!