Rare Dirndl

Sartorial Saturday–A Simple Closet Hack

It’s not often that I have a closet hack to share that makes storage easier/more efficient, but today I’m taking a look at how I store my dirndl aprons:

If you’re thinking to yourself, “That looks like an over-the-door shoe organizer” you’re right! I have actually used this particular trick to store my collection of cropped cardigans for years, but recently, I thought about trying it out with my aprons, too…I had been hanging them over my dirndls, and the ties were trailing everywhere, plus it was hard to see what I had, because they were layered on top of each other. I used one of the larger pocket shoe organizers, because I didn’t want to roll the aprons so tightly that I’d have to worry about ironing them, and it worked out great…no more tripping over apron ties hanging down to the floor, and I can see my entire collection with one quick glance!

Do you have any tricks you use to make your closet more organized?

Sartorial Saturday–The Perfect Dirndl Shoes

Let’s get straight to the point…the perfect shoes to pair (if you’ll pardon the pun) with your dirndl are the ones you’re comfortable in! Even going to relatively small Oktoberfest and Maifest celebrations, not to mentioning visiting a fairly small Christkindlmarkt, I know there is going to be a lot of walking when I wear a dirndl, so having supportive shoes that you’re comfortable in is super important! But so is style…

When I first ventured into the land of dirndl-wearing, I wanted to wear traditional-looking shoes…typically, black, low-heeled Mary-Jane style shoes. I found a pair from LifeStride that are quite comfortable and easy to wear, and I love the way they look with all of my dresses!

But of course I wasn’t going to stop there. Next I tried a pair of short black boots, which are especially nice with tights in the winter:

Speaking of boots, my iridescent Docs are perfect with my Everyday Dirndl for a kind of punk princess look:

I also like ankle boots, especially in the fall:

And sometimes, when I’m feeling fancy (Hello, Christmas!), I wear sparkly silver t-straps. They are the only pair of shoes that I wear with a dirndl that aren’t comfortable to walk any great distance in, which is why they’re special occasion shoes. (The rest featured here, however, are all great for walking around places like Grant’s Farm and Oktoberfest!)

Speaking of comfort, most recently, I’ve paired my faithful old Birks for summer style!

I still haven’t worn traditional heels with a dirndl, but I have an idea that I may try out eventually…what footwear do you like to wear with a dirndl?

Sartorial Saturday–Colorful Harlequin

Late last winter, Rare Dirndl announced a new collection that they were offering in a new way. The Zirkus collection, which was introduced with five dirndls plus a dirndl vest, was crowdfunded before it was put into a production…like a Kickstarter without the middle man. The full collection was funded fairly quickly, including my favorite piece, the Harlequin!

This beautiful dirndl, which was “inspired by the playful and colorful world of harlequins…is full of energy, fun, and whimsy.” As soon as I saw it, I fell in love, because I had been dreaming of a harlequin print dirndl which would reflect not only my love of German national dress but also vintage patterns. It’s even more beautiful in person than in the sketches, with a bodice featuring shades of green and orange, a lovely copper-colored skirt, and a pretty, sheer apron. It was designed with a mini skirt, but Erika at Rare Dirndl kindly offered to make mine in my regular mid-length, instead!

I accessorized, as I so often do, with lots of edelweiss:

I also added my first-ever Rare Dirndl brooch, which is a fun pin with, you guessed it, more edelweiss and a charm in the perfect shade to go with the dress!

To start, I paired it with a black lace sparkle dirndl blouse…I think the darker color adds a bit of elegance, and is also great for fall (if fall ever gets here!).

It also looks great with an ivory blouse!

This may be my prettiest dirndl yet…it’s definitely the most colorful!!!

I can’t wait to see what Rare Dirndl comes up with next!

Sartorial Saturday–A Fancy Floral Apron

Recently, Erika at Rare Dirndl reached out to me and asked if she could send me an apron in return for some of my photos she’s used on her website. She even offered me a selection of choices that she knew would go well with the dirndls I already own, and as soon as I saw this beautiful embroidered floral mesh and lace apron (the same one that comes with the lovely new “Sweet Iris” dirndl, I believe), in a lovely taupe-y/silver-y/champagne-y color, I knew it was the one!

I’m a huge fan of sheer aprons, because of how well the color of the dress shows through them…it also means they take on a completely different look with each dirndl you pair them with! Here I’m wearing it with my beautiful periwinkle Everyday Dirndl:

I accessorized, as I often do, with flowers, including a floral crown, my edelweiss necklace and an edelweiss clip in place of a brooch, my edelweiss earrings (I promise they’re there!), plus some Homes bracelets:

This is such a pretty look for summer, but I think it will transition well throughout the seasons:

I do love experimenting with different dirndl/apron combinations!

I’m really looking forward to pairing this gorgeous apron with more of the dirndls in my wardrobe…stay tuned!

Sartorial Saturday–The Summer 2023 Charity Apron

Last summer, Rare Dirndl introduced a charity apron in support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand…they’re back this year with a beautiful sunflower edition supporting Mercy Corps, an organization with a mission to “to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities.”

Mercy Corps is currently on the ground in Ukraine (thus the beautiful sunflower print with contrasting blue ribbon in the apron ties), as well as Romania and Poland, and they are working specifically to aid Ukrainian refugees by supporting organizations that provide medical supplies and food items.

I accessorized with (what else?), lots of flowers! I kind of wish I had a floral crown with sunflowers, but at least the blue flower in this one matches the ribbon on the apron, right? I also pinned my edelweiss clip to my dirndl in place of a brooch. I didn’t wear my edelweiss necklace this time, though…instead I went bold with my stag!

This is not just an apron with a conscience, it’s also perfect for summer! Since it is such a great look for warm weather, I swapped out the shoes I normally pair with dirndls for a pair of well-loved Birkenstocks, and I think they’re the perfect footwear for this dress and apron combo!

I really want to wear this to a sunflower field when they’re in full bloom!

Erika kindly gifted me this apron, so I didn’t have to make a purchase to help fund the charity’s effort. Instead, I made a donation directly to the organization, and I encourage you to find a charity to support this summer, too!

Sartorial Saturday–What a Difference an Apron Makes!

One of my favorite things about dirndl-wearing is how much you can change the look of the dress by adding a different apron (changing the color of the ribbon lacing also makes a difference)! While I love the pairings of my four dirndls with the aprons they were designed with, I also love experimenting with different looks…I have a total of 10 aprons now, so I have lots of options!

To begin, a look at my very first dirndl, the solid colored “Purple and Floral” dirndl. Not only do I wear it with the flower print apron it came with, but I’ve also styled it with both of my Christmas aprons, a lovely plaid, and my lemon print charity apron from last summer…which look is your favorite?

If I don’t want it to be obvious that I’m wearing a dirndl (who am I kidding…I always want it to be obvious!), I wear my “Everyday Dirndl” with its matching, solid apron, but I’ve also mixed it up with two different lace aprons and the lemon-print…what do you think?

My “Die Heimat” is my most versatile dirndl, as you can see from the fact that I’ve worn it with a total of six different aprons (and counting!). The stag print is the one that came with the dirndl, but I’ve also paired the dress with both of my Christmas aprons, my extra fancy crystal apron, the lemon print (again!), and most recently, my magenta lace apron, which is my new favorite look…what’s yours?

And finally, my “Herbology” dirndl, which came with a plaid apron and also a bonus lace apron, giving me two options right off the bat. I also love the way it looks with my crystal apron, the stag print from “Die Heimat” (very Sound of Music!) and my newest Christmas apron…which do you like best?

Stay tuned to see how I style my dirndls next!

Sartorial Saturday…On a Sunday–A New Apron for Easter

I had such a fun time wearing “Heiligen Tracht” for Easter last year, I decided to do it again! I knew I wanted to wear my “Everyday Dirndl” from Rare Dirndl, because it’s such a beautiful shade of blue for spring, and when I saw that Rare Dirndl started offering their Embroidered Rosette Apron in a new medium length in addition to the mini version they already sold, I knew that I had to pair the magenta apron with the dirndl!

It’s an amazingly vibrant color, especially with the blue shining through, and the embroidery makes it feel extra fancy:

I feel like a beautifully colored Easter egg!

Of course I had to wear my flower crown again:

In addition to my standard edelweiss accessories (I even borrowed Bunny’s pink wrap bracelet), I also added an Erstwilder Pysanky egg brooch…I think it’s the first time I’ve worn a brooch with a dirndl, and it’s perfect both for the holiday and for my color scheme!

I’m so happy with how the whole look turned out!

I’m already planning on the next way I’m going to wear this apron…luckily, it will go well with two of my other dirndls!

Sartorial Saturday–Mother-Daughter Dirndl Wearing

I think by now it’s obvious that I love wearing a dirndl, but I love even more that it’s something I’ve been able to share with Bunny, who received a dirndl on her 18th birthday last year.

I love how she adds her own personal style to how she wears it!

We even had a chance to get dressed up and go to our town’s Oktoberfest last fall:

I’m so happy she shares my interest in the culture of our ancestors!

Sartorial Saturday–A Year of Dirndl-Wearing

In 2021, I received my first (and second) dirndls. Throughout the course of the year, I added two more, and now in addition to the four dirndls, I have a total of nine aprons, four dirndl blouses, and a whole bunch of fun accessories. I didn’t get them to just have them hang in my closet, though, so I made a point of dirndl-ing up at least once a month this year. I’ve worn Heiligen Tracht for Easter and Christmas, I’ve traveled to Chicago in one, and I was able to wear a dirndl to Oktoberfest and Grant’s Farm for the first time (among other places). Here’s a look back at my year of dirndl-wearing.

And a closer look at some of my favorite dirndl accessories (including lots of edelweiss!):

I’m looking forward to wearing my dirndls to even more places this year!

Sartorial Saturday…On a Sunday–Festive Fashion in the Deep Freeze

Merry Christmas!

Time for a look at this year’s festive fashion, heavily influenced by the Arctic weather we’ve been having. The chill made warm clothing a must on Christmas Eve, so I added a cape and beret (and red tights), to my usual Christmas dress. I also added a Christmas Splendette stack, my favorite sparkly Christmas brooch, and equally sparkly silver shoes.

Even at home, I had to dress with the cold in mind, so I threw a cardigan on over my Miss Candyfloss dressing gown:

The faux fur collar on my cape is removable, so I changed up its look on Christmas Day. This time I wore a Rare Dirndl and my new Christmas apron, plus a flower crown that arrived just in time for Christmas. I accessorized with edelweiss, a brand-new Homes bracelet, and some Erstwilder brooches:

I kind of enjoyed having truly cold weather for Christmas, especially since it allowed me to dress a little differently this year!