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Wondering what to wear to Oktoberfest as a man?
Well, you’re in luck!
This guide will hold your hand through all the must-knows for dressing up to Oktoberfest properly, from how to choose the perfect lederhosen to fun accessories that’ll complete your outfit.
Read on for a simple guide on men’s attire at Munich Oktoberfest.
First: Do I Have to Dress Up for Oktoberfest?
Ah, a reluctance to slip into leather pants. We get it – they may not sound like the comfiest festival attire…
But while it’s definitely not mandatory to dress up (there will be many people in normal clothing as well), getting the opportunity to prance around in traditional Bavarian attire is part of what make Oktoberfest such a fun and unforgettable experience.
So, put simply, no it’s not mandatory. You’ll be allowed in with regular clothes… but it really does make the experience a lot more fun if you dress up.
With that in mind, here is a step by step guide on how to do that!
1. Buy Lederhosen: The Ultimate Oktoberfest Staple
Most lederhosen looks similar, but make sure you get one of good quality like these (especially if you plan on wearing it more than once).
Men are said to only need one pair of lederhosen for life (until the beer belly starts to creep in, of course).
Two main considerations are length and whether or not you want suspenders (the answer is yes! They look awesome). Lederhosen typically come in shorts-length and 3/4 leg length.
WARNING: Do NOT buy anything like this. Old Bavarian women will flag you down and tell you how wrong you are (which did actually happen to my friend).
2. Get a shirt to go under your Lederhosen
Every Oktoberfest guy “costume” should also include a shirt of some kind to go underneath the lederhosen.
You’ll see a lot of checkered shirts like these (usually red or blue) but white is more traditional (and in my opinion, looks much sharper/smarter). I can’t resist a good white shirt with lederhosen combo!
Do note however that these shirts are button-up or ‘smarter’ looking tops. Don’t you dare wear a t-shirt under your lederhosen or prepare yourself for some death stares.
3. Get good shoes to wear to Oktoberfest
If you want to go full traditional, the most typical shoes to pair with Lederhosen are these traditional Haferlschühe.
BUT if you’re just visiting Oktoberfest once, you definitely don’t need to go out of your way to buy special Oktoberfest shoes.
Instead, you should focus instead on bringing something comfy, close-toed, but still expendable… meaning something that you will not mind spilling beer all over. Want to test if these shoes will work for Oktoberfest? Dance around a bit in them.
If you want to be extreme, check out these beer/vomit repellent Oktoberfest shoes from Adidas!!
4. Get some accessories and add-ons
If you want to look extra fancy with your Oktoberfest outfit, here are some common additions:
Charivari: A cool decorative chain to be worn on your lederhosen with charms/trinkets, like this.
Loferls (Calf Warmers): These calf warmers are a staple of any classy Oktoberfest outfit. Look for knitted ones like these.
A felt hat: Class up your outfit with one of these bad boys (but never one of the stupid chicken or beer hats… those are ridiculous).
Cool belt: Feeling fancy? You can jazz up your outfit with a cool leather belt that has a super manly buckle (like animals fighting or something). Here are a few.
Vest/waistcoat: To complete your Oktoberfest bro outfit, consider getting a nice vest/waistcoat to complete your look. Many locals will have one.
We Hope You Enjoyed This Guide On What To Wear To Oktoberfest For Men!
Let us know in the comments if you have any more questions about what to wear.