The latest traditional costume trends at LODENFREY 2025

RIEDEL Magazine, Issue 02 Summer 2025 | Text: Jana Ackermann | Reading time: 4 minutes

The summer months in Munich have a rhythm all of their own: a leisurely stroll through Schwabing, an espresso at your favourite café, an afternoon in the English Garden. It is in this atmosphere that Bavarian traditional dress also reveals its contemporary side – as a fashion statement that bridges tradition and urban style. At LODENFREY in Munich, the new traditional costume reflects precisely this attitude to life and brings a breath of summer freshness to the city with a colour palette ranging from delicate light blue to vibrant sunny yellow.

This article appeared in RIEDEL Magazine, Issue 02, Summer 2025. The collection described is for the summer season of 2025; the product range and the individuals mentioned are correct as at the time of publication of this issue.

Between the excitement of the Oktoberfest and everyday life

For whilst forest festivals, visits to beer gardens and the first stirrings of anticipation for the Wiesn mark the Munich summer, for many the search for the perfect look also begins. At LODENFREY, the traditional costume department is not only internationally renowned but also deeply rooted in the company’s history. This season’s collection features a new range of colours and demonstrates that classic and modern styles are not mutually exclusive – they enrich one another.

Woman in a bright yellow dirndl walks across a meadow, with a lake and a man in traditional dress in the background. — Dirndl in sunshine yellow

Colours that define summer

The 2025 traditional costume trends therefore focus on natural colours in various shades. Creamy beige, delicate sky blue, rosé or even a subtle mint create a fresh yet understated look. Those who prefer a more striking look will find dirndls in vibrant sun-yellow or bold pink – all crafted from high-quality fabrics such as velvet, cotton or linen. Classic midi silhouettes with elegant aprons made from wild silk are particularly in demand.

The dirndl look is complemented by a matching blouse and a traditional jacket or cardigan – perhaps in a tone-on-tone colour scheme to match the dirndl – as well as coordinating accessories: “A skilful blend of traditional dress and current trends creates a contemporary and modern look: ballerinas, loafers or slingbacks and a fashionable bag complete the look in style,” says Gabriele Hammerschick, Senior Buyer at LODENFREY. These modern influences reinterpret the traditional look without losing its authenticity.

A skilful blend of traditional costume and current trends creates a contemporary and modern look. Gabriele Hammerschick – Senior Buyer

Modern takes on lederhosen

A pair of pale yellow studded slingbacks in the grass of a summer meadow. — Slingbacks to go with traditional dress

For men, leather trousers remain the centrepiece of the traditional costume look – a long-lasting investment and an expression of Bavarian identity. Styles made from suede-tanned deerskin, such as those by Meindl, showcase precision craftsmanship and look modern in light shades such as cream or beige, whilst dark brown lederhosen preserve tradition in true style. “The fit is also important with lederhosen: they should be snugly tight and reach just above the knee,” explains Johann Maurer, who is responsible for men’s traditional attire at LODENFREY.

Close-up of cream-coloured lederhosen with floral embroidery and staghorn buttons on the side seam. — Deerskin lederhosen

Lederhosen are worn with shirts in white, light blue or with a subtle striped pattern – featuring a stand-up collar and horn buttons. Waistcoats and gilets in classic shades of green, blue or grey complete the ensemble for men. Those who prefer a more minimalist look can opt for simple Jankers or chunky-knit jackets.

Accessories also remain understated: hats in natural colours, knee-high socks or ‘Loferl’, as well as classic ‘Haferl’ shoes in black leather, define the classic traditional outfit. Brands such as Habsburg, Gottseidank and Windsor, as well as LODENFREY’s own collection, combine artisanal expertise with a keen sense of style.

Tradition meets Munich city life

Man in light lederhosen, a white shirt and a grey-green gilet kneels in a meadow in front of the edge of a forest. — Men’s traditional dress with gilet

In Munich in particular, where there has always been room for both Art Nouveau and the avant-garde – the heritage and the spirit of innovation – the new traditional fashion blends in harmoniously. It is an expression of an attitude: one that values tradition whilst remaining open to the new. That is why modern traditional dress can also be easily incorporated into everyday life. You can turn up at the office wearing a Janker with a shirt and chinos; for a visit to a beer garden, white trainers with lederhosen will do just fine; and a traditional cardigan completes a summer dress.

Shop floor with a stone wall, fireplace and leather armchairs, with busts displaying dirndls and traditional jackets in front. — Lodenfrey’s traditional costume range offers a luxurious blend of cherished tradition and timeless style.

A visit to LODENFREY is therefore well worth it, not only to get you in the mood for the fifth season, but also for anyone who wants to enjoy summer in the city to the full – without compromising on that special something.

Why traditional dress is part of Munich’s cityscape

This article describes an attitude that goes far beyond clothing: the coexistence of heritage and innovation. This is precisely what characterises the neighbourhoods where LODENFREY has been at home for generations — Altstadt, Maxvorstadt and Schwabing. Art Nouveau façades alongside contemporary buildings, long-established houses alongside new concepts.

Anyone wishing to live in these areas can find an overview under ‘Property in Schwabing ’ and ‘Luxury flats in Munich’. The Munich market report shows how supply and prices have developed recently.

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