Classics like red, dark blue, forest green and wine red have worked at the Wiesn for decades and still look good on photos after hours. Strong single colours like emerald or royal blue stand out positively. Less suitable are very pale pastels because they show stains fast in the beer tent, and neon colours, which usually look out of place in Oktoberfest photos.

The midi dirndl with 65 to 75 centimetres is the most popular and practical length for Oktoberfest. It's festive enough for the evening, unproblematic on the beer benches and works in every Wiesn photo. Mini dirndls with 50 to 55 centimetres are popular with younger visitors but quickly become uncomfortable on the benches. Long dirndls from 80 centimetres are rare at the Wiesn.

The bow has a clear meaning at the Wiesn: tied on the right means taken or married, on the left means single and interested, front centre is the maiden, and back centre is traditionally worn by waitresses or widows. At Oktoberfest many people actually pay attention to this – especially if you're among Bavarian company.

Good dirndls for Oktoberfest start at around €150 and go up to €400 and beyond. The sweet spot for most visitors is between €180 and €280 – enough for cleanly made fabrics, a well-sitting bodice and a quality that survives several Wiesns. Under €100 you usually get throwaway quality that doesn't look good after a long Wiesn day.

Yes, and that's one of the biggest advantages of a good dirndl. With a different apron and a different dirndl blouse, the same dress looks completely different. An Oktoberfest dirndl also works at spring festivals, Kirchweih, folk festivals, traditional weddings or Christmas parties. The cost per wear drops significantly over the years compared to a pure party dress.