How to dress for Oktoberfest on a budget

Save your money for beer. DIY your Oktoberfest costume.

If you’re not keen on buying a dirndl or lederhosen costume this Oktoberfest (or perhaps you left the planning a little late), you can absolutely still rock the part using your own clothes or op shop finds and adding a few accessories. You can literally DIY anything these days simply by searching Google or checking out social media for inspo. So open up your wardrobe, go op shopping or get together with your friends for a clothes swap to get Oktoberfest ready with our DIY costume ideas.

Easy DIY Oktoberfest costumes for guys

You'll look lager than life and definitely won't be salty like a pretzel in your cheap DIY Oktoberfest costume. Here’s what you need.

• • Shorts that are around knee length or just above
• • A pair of suspenders
• • A white or gingham button-up shirt or white t-shirt
• • White or beige knee-high socks
• • Brown or black dress shoes or boots
• • Felt hat with feather
• • Perfecting your lederhosen

• • Lederhosen shorts were traditionally leather, but these are hard to come by. You could source some leather pants from a vintage shop and cut them into shorts.
• • Corduroy and plaid pattern fabrics exemplify Oktoberfest rustic farmer wear style, so look out for shorts (or pants you can cut) if you don’t have any luck finding leather. If you have to cut pants into shorts, fabric glue to hem is the no-sew way to go.
• • Gingham is a winner at Oktoberfest so if you own a gingham shirt or can source one, wear it. Otherwise plain white fits the theme too. Combined with leather or corduroy lederhosen and you’ll feel compelled to start yodelling, just warning you.

Lederhosen accessories

Once you’ve got shorts, shirt and socks sorted on the cheap you can probably spare a small outlay on some cool accessories to complete your look. A hat does maketh the Oktoberfest costume. Did you know wearing feathers in the hats began when hunters would pull a feather from their catch and place it in their cap? The bigger and more elaborate the feather, the better the hunter. These super fashionable suspenders will finish off your lederhosen, as will this hat, tie and sunglasses set. Getting dressed up for Oktoberfest is easy. Prost! Need it quick? Get an Oktoberfest outfit on Blossom Costumes and we'll throw in free express shipping for orders over $35.

DIY Beer Wench Wear

Here’s what you need to become a flirty and feminine damsel in a dirndl.

• • Peasant style dress - just above or below the knee is the traditional way
• • Or an A-line or round cut skirt and a loose white blouse combination
• • A lace-up corset or button up vest
• • Apron
• • Knee high or thigh high stockings
• • Black Mary Jane shoes
• • Ribbon for corset lacing and to tie in your hair

DIY dirndl hints and tips

The best way to avoid costume Deja Brew (seeing someone in the same dirndl) at the beer hall is to your make your own.

• • To make a peasant-style top, cut the sleeves off an old white business blouse. Wear the buttons low, then shimmy it into an off the shoulder peasant number.
• • You can also make an off the shoulder top with a white t-shirt you’re happy to sacrifice. Cut out the neck to make it wider, then you can fold it or pull it down so it sits off the shoulder.
• • Head to your local vintage store to find A-line and flouncy skirts in provincial patterns that reflect Oktoberfest roots. If you see a skirt that isn’t the right length, you can always cut it and hem it with fabric glue for a no-sew option.
• • Op shop skirt or dress finds in velvet and satin with brocade prints are the perfect choice to recreate a look like this lovely dirndl.
• • With denim fabrics and floral pattern in fashion this spring, you may be able to pull together this dirndl look with a dress you already own. Fold a floral print scarf to make an apron and secure it around your waist with ribbon.
• • A vest or waistcoat can be folded or cut to open it up at the front and laced up with ribbon. You can even use old jeans to make a corset belt like the one in this tutorial.
• • Use this number as inspo to then use your own flowing, black shirt and white top from your wardrobe. A ravishing red apron can be made with cheap fabric.
• • We also love this dominantly red dirndl look with long, Bavarian babe skirt.

Budget-friendly accessories to bring it all together.

Hats aren’t just for the lads. Dantier versions are available and they are the perfect accompaniment to dames rocking the dirndl. Don’t forget to dress your legs up. Knee high stockings will have you looking cuter than hell when you break out the chicken dance. Are you ready to do a DIY Oktoberfest costume without splurging a ton of cash? Hello, more beer money! Shop the entire Blossom Costumes range today.