No, there's no official dress code at the Wasen. A dirndl is very welcome but not required – in the festival tent you'll also see many visitors in jeans and blouse, especially on weekdays. On weekends and Wasen party nights noticeably more guests wear traditional dress because it suits the mood and the photos. If you're going traditional for the first time, you're in good company at the Wasen.

Festival-season outfits work well at the Wasen: jeans with a plaid blouse, leather jacket and comfortable boots are a proven compromise between casual and festive. Many Stuttgart regulars switch between traditional and festival look depending on the evening. Robust clothing is key – Wasen beer tents are tight, hot and not the right place for bright or delicate fabrics after five hours of dancing.

Midi (65 to 75 cm) is the dominant length at the Cannstatter Wasen and also our clear recommendation. It sits well on the benches, allows dancing, and looks festive in photos without feeling staged. Short dirndls are also seen but less so than in Munich. Long dirndls are impractical in the tent and more for formal traditional events outside the festival tent.

Stylistically the Wasen is somewhat more traditional and classic than Oktoberfest. In Munich a strong trend towards very colourful, experimental dirndls has emerged in recent years – at the Wasen most visitors stick with classic colours and traditional cuts. That doesn't mean modern dirndls don't work at the Wasen – but a classically styled dirndl in dark blue, forest green or wine red is usually the safer choice here.

In Stuttgart there are some very good traditional-dress shops, but the selection is often limited to a few brands and a narrow price range. Online you get significantly more models, colours and sizes across different price ranges, can compare in peace and have 14 days' right of return if the dirndl doesn't fit perfectly. We recommend ordering at least two weeks before your Wasen visit – that leaves time for an exchange if needed.