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Welches Dirndl passt zu mir? Der Dirndl Figur Guide - Dirndl.com

Which Dirndl Suits Me? The Dirndl Body Shape Guide

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Time to read 8 min

Every one of us surely knows the saying: A Dirndl flatters every figure. Whether tall, short, slim, or a bit curvier – a Dirndl truly flatters every figure if you wear it right. To help you navigate the Dirndl jungle, we offer the Figure Guide for Dirndls.


Why you can trust us:

✓ We've been experts in traditional clothing and Dirndls for over 5 years

✓ We've already dressed over 10,000 Oktoberfest visitors

✓ We follow current traditional clothing trends and know the latest collections


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What determines your body type?

If asked about your weight, you might even be able to answer to the nearest 100 grams, but this isn't about BMI, weight, or problem areas; it's about proportions. It's not about whether you weigh 55 kilos or 85 kilos, but how your weight is distributed across your entire body.


We girls are all different, just like our body proportions. That's why you should throw all thoughts about weight overboard. Because your body type depends on your body's proportions.


Dirndl figure

Why is the Dirndl Figure Guide important?

Unfortunately, we girls often tend to focus on our perceived flaws: strong thighs, small bust, unwanted love handles on the hips.


But it's not about the individual little imperfections that even supermodels find on themselves if they look long enough. On the contrary, our different shapes are what make us unique and interesting!


Normal women, who walk around un-photoshopped in real life, have the most diverse proportions: broad or narrow shoulders, small or large bust, little or much waist, short or long legs, wide or more boyish hips, to name just a few of the things that make every body unique.


But instead of standing critically in front of the mirror for hours and secretly envying each other, the motto is: Rethink! Different proportions shouldn't be a cause for worry but should be showcased with pride and confidence. So forget your flaws and focus on your overall look.


Fortunately, fashion, including Dirndl fashion, is very diverse and therefore offers a variety of visual tricks to showcase your figure. To highlight your proportions with advantageous details, you can balance your figure with cuts, fabrics, colors, patterns, and accessories, often with an amazing WOW effect.

Find your perfect Dirndl now

What body types are there?

There are the following five body types for Dirndls:

  • A Madl – narrow shoulders, wide hips
  • H Madl – straight silhouette, athletic
  • O Madl – rounded middle, slender legs
  • X Madl – hourglass figure, narrow waist
  • Y Madl – broad shoulders, narrow hips

We're starting our body type guide with an introduction to proportions and body types, and we'll also give you valuable tips right away on which details are most advantageous for each type.


You are an A Madl if:

  • Your upper body is significantly more delicate than your lower body
  • Your center of gravity is in your lower body
  • Your shoulders are narrower than your hips
  • You have a slim and distinctly defined waist
  • Your hips are rather wide compared to your shoulders
  • Your legs are rather strong or short

A narrow waist, narrow shoulders, an overall rather petite upper body, and a rather strong lower body: these are among the most important characteristics of the A Madl.


To optimize your proportions, a Dirndl needs to do the following: the rather strong hips and thighs must be visually balanced, at the same time it should lengthen your legs and emphasize your slim upper body.


The perfect Dirndl for the A Madl:

  • Perfectly fitting, figure-hugging waist (but not too tight)
  • Brightly colored or patterned fabrics only on the upper body
  • Dark, solid-colored skirt
  • Midi skirt length, knee-grazing
  • Eye-catching details on the bodice (ruffles, embroidery, lace)
  • Heels for visually longer legs
  • Blouse with puff sleeves or a boat neckline
  • Large apron with a bright bow

Woman in Bavarian Dirndl

H Madl – the perfect Dirndl

You are an H Madl if:

  • Your waist runs relatively straight, with almost no curve or only a gentle one
  • Your shoulders and hips are approximately the same width
  • You have rather straight and long legs and arms
  • Your body appears rather sporty and androgynous with no distinct focal point

Rather lacking in curves, but usually with beautiful long legs and arms: these are among the most important characteristics of the H Madl. Madln with an H figure sometimes appear a bit androgynous. The reason for this is the barely defined waist and few curves on the bust, hips, and bottom. With a Dirndl, a rather lanky figure can be quickly transformed into a curvy wonder.


The perfect Dirndl for the H Madl:

  • Bodice with a V-neckline for more curves
  • Wide A-line skirt
  • Close-fitting, tight bodice
  • Feminine details: ruffles, lace, bows
  • Midi skirt length, knee-grazing
  • Flat shoes like ballet flats or sneakers
  • Patterns that start at the hem and taper towards the waist
  • Solid-colored Dirndls or strict linear patterns

O Madl – the perfect Dirndl

You're an O Madl if:

  • Your center of gravity is primarily in your waist, stomach, and hip area
  • The narrowest part of your upper body isn't at your waist but slightly higher, directly under your bust
  • Your forearms and wrists are relatively slender
  • Your center of gravity is more in the middle
  • Your legs, especially your calves and ankles, are more delicately shaped compared to the rest of your body

As an O Madl, you're more of a 'belly person.' Your curves in the midsection are undeniable, and your figure is otherwise wonderfully soft and femininely rounded. From the hips down, you impress with great legs and slender ankles; your forearms and wrists are also very delicate and appear almost fragile.


The perfect Dirndl for the O Madl:

  • Avoid Charivaris or contrasting ribbons
  • Matte, simple fabrics around the midsection
  • Wide or V-shaped necklines
  • Emphasize your décolletage with necklaces or brooches
  • Blouses with a boat neckline and wide straps
  • 3/4 sleeves or wide sleeves for delicate wrists
  • Eye-catching details on your beautiful legs
  • Soft fabrics that fall loosely (not constricting)

X Madl – the perfect Dirndl

You're an X Madl if:

  • Your shoulders and hips are about the same width
  • You have a very narrow waist and very pronounced curves at the hips
  • You have a rather large bust
  • You have rather strong upper arms
  • Your hips and thighs are rather full

Pronounced feminine curves, a narrow waist, and a rather large bust. The good news is: As an X Madl, you have an almost perfect Dirndl figure that you can particularly accentuate with a few simple tricks.


The perfect Dirndl for the X Madl:

  • Show off your waist – that's your golden asset
  • Utilize the color contrast at the waist
  • Necklines that are far from the neck but not too deep
  • Prefer playful details like lace, bows, or ruffles
  • V-neck or tunic necklines for vertical lines
  • Midi skirt length, just covering or reaching the knee
  • Avoid adding extra volume to your stomach and hips
  • Shoes with heels to elongate your legs


Dirndl figure

Y Madl – the perfect Dirndl

You are a Y Madl if:

  • Your upper body is fuller than your lower body, with the emphasis on your shoulders and chest area
  • Your shoulders are wider than your hips
  • Your shoulders are rather angular and don't slope gently
  • Your waist is almost straight or only gently curved
  • You have a rather large bust and a large underbust circumference
  • Your hips are very narrow and almost boyish
  • You have long and slender legs

Your center of gravity is in your upper body. You have broad, often quite angular shoulders and a large bust. In contrast, you have an almost girlish and delicate lower body. In between, there's a rather straight waist. Your highlights are your wonderfully long legs and your narrow hips.


The perfect Dirndl for the Y Madl:

  • Avoid puff sleeves and shoulder yokes
  • Fitted, subtle bodices
  • V-neck or collar
  • Understated, narrow apron ties
  • Voluminous elements on the lower body
  • Shiny skirt or shiny apron
  • Dark matte colors on the upper body
  • Bright, bold colors with patterns on the skirt
  • Solid-colored Dirndl for a longer vertical line


Conclusion to the Dirndl Guide

Practice makes perfect. So, have you recognized yourself in a Madl thanks to the figure guide? Of course, your figure is as unique as you are. To find the perfect Dirndl for you, you need to know your figure well and know how to emphasize or conceal the right areas.

There are five figure types: A, H, O, X, and Y Madl

The figure type depends on proportions, not weight

Focus on your assets instead of flaws

Every figure can look perfect with the right Dirndl

Plus-size women also find beautiful Dirndl in large sizes

If you're looking for your perfect Dirndl for your figure, feel free to visit our store

Secure your dream Dirndl now

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Dirndl figure type am I?

Look at your proportions. A Madl have narrow shoulders and wide hips. H Madl have a straight silhouette. O Madl have their center of gravity in the middle. X Madl have an hourglass figure with a narrow waist. Y Madl have broad shoulders and narrow hips.

Which Dirndl suits wide hips?

As an A Madl with wide hips, you should emphasize the upper body and keep the skirt plain and dark. Use eye-catching details, patterns, and bright colors only on the bodice. A knee-length skirt and heels will visually lengthen your legs.

Can I wear a Dirndl as a plus-size woman?

Yes, absolutely! There's a suitable Dirndl for every figure. Opt for a skirt length that's at least knee-length, muted colors, and a waistline that isn't too tight. Emphasize your décolletage and focus on your assets rather than perceived problem areas.

Which Dirndl suits a straight figure?

As an H-shaped girl with a straight figure, you need a Dirndl that creates curves. A V-neckline on the bodice and a wide A-line skirt are ideal. Fitted bodices combined with flowing skirts create the perfect feminine silhouette.

What is the difference between X Madl and A Madl?

X Madl have shoulders and hips of equal width with a very narrow waist in between (hourglass shape). A Madl have narrow shoulders and significantly wider hips. Both have a pronounced waist, but the proportions of the upper and lower body differ greatly.

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Read more in the Styleguide