Dirndls for the spring festival. The start of the season.

Fresh pastel shades like dusty rose, sage, soft lilac, lavender and muted yellow suit the spring mood perfectly and look vibrant in daylight. Light blue tones and teal work just as well. Classics like navy, bottle green or wine red always work too. Avoid very heavy velvet dirndls and all-black combinations, as they look too wintery in April and May.

The main difference is lightness. For the spring festival we recommend lighter fabrics, brighter colors and summery, elegant cuts. A pure Oktoberfest dirndl in heavy fabric and dark color can look too heavy in spring. Conversely, a good spring dirndl often works at the Wiesn in autumn too, once you pair it with the right apron and blouse.

Yes, especially in warm weather. But keep in mind, the weather in southern Germany in April and May is unpredictable, and a short dirndl leaves you dependent on warm evenings. A midi dirndl gives you more room to move. You can wear a light cardigan during the day without the look suffering, and you will not get cold as quickly in the evening.

No, there is no official dress code, neither at the Munich spring festival nor the Stuttgart one. Tracht is very welcome but not required. Many visitors wear dirndls because it fits the mood and makes for better photos. If you decide to wear a dirndl, you have much more freedom in color choice than at a wedding, and a bit more than at the Oktoberfest in autumn.

Yes, absolutely. A good midi dirndl in a fresh color works at the spring festival, the May festival, Munich's Tollwood, at summer festivals, garden weddings, and later at the Wiesn too. With a different blouse and a different apron, the dress looks different every time. That is exactly the advantage of a well-made dirndl over a cheap fast-fashion piece.