Trying out our new Tracht in Salzburg’s Mirabell Gardens before heading to Rupertikirtag, where dirndls and lederhosen are very much part of the fun.
Since we were going to both Wiener Kaiser Wiesn—Vienna’s answer to Oktoberfest—and Munich’s Oktoberfest during our September trip, we decided this was finally our excuse to buy a dirndl and lederhosen.
Tracht—traditional Austrian and Bavarian clothing—is a big part of the atmosphere at both festivals, and dressing for the occasion is part of the fun.
So we went shopping in Vienna.
If you’re wondering where to buy a dirndl or lederhosen in Vienna, here’s where we looked, where we eventually bought our outfits, what we paid, and what I’d consider before deciding whether to buy or rent.
Where we bought our outfits in Vienna
Original Salzburger Trachtenoutlet: our eventual choice
Address: Weihburggasse 8, 1010 Vienna.
Rows of dirndls at Original Salzburger Trachtenoutlet in Vienna. The selection ranged from classic styles to brighter, more modern options, with many pieces marked well below original retail prices.
For us, buying good-quality Tracht at an outlet made the most sense. We live in Europe, plan to return to Oktoberfest, and I have Bavarian heritage on my mother’s side.
If we were going to spend the money, I wanted outfits we could wear for years rather than something that felt like a costume.
Original Salzburger Trachtenoutlet is right in Vienna’s first district, only a few minutes’ walk from Stephansplatz, so it’s easy to work into a day of sightseeing. The shop carries dirndls, blouses, lederhosen, shirts, jackets and accessories, making it possible to put together most or all of an outfit in one stop.
This is an outlet, but don't mistake that for cheap. We found prices roughly 30–50% below the original retail prices, but a complete outfit still adds up. Based on what we saw and bought, I’d budget roughly €150–€200 per person for a basic complete look: lederhosen with a shirt and socks, or a dirndl with an apron and reasonably priced blouse.
HUMANA and secondhand shopping around Mariahilf
Our main stop: HUMANA, Chwallagasse 4, 1060 Vienna.
We also browsed several secondhand shops around Mariahilf and Neubaugasse, but HUMANA on Chwallagasse was easily my favorite. If you have time to hunt before buying new, I’d make this one of your stops.
My son found a gorgeous traditional coat to wear over his lederhosen here. It’s a quality wool piece he can also wear with jeans in normal life—and it cost just €16.
That’s the advantage of secondhand shopping for Tracht: you may not find a complete outfit in your size, but you can stumble across a much better-quality jacket, vest or accessory for very little money.
Secondhand treasures at HUMANA in Vienna. This was my favorite stop for browsing because you never quite know what traditional pieces, jackets or accessories might turn up.
There were so many cute things here. But finding something you love and finding it in a size that works are two separate victories. There wasn’t much in my size at this store, unfortunately, so give yourself some flexibility rather than counting on finding one particular style.
HUMANA's Vienna branch page currently describes Chwallagasse as a vintage shop, but there were TONS of traditional clothing options there in late September, when we stopped in.
The whole area around Mariahilf and Neubaugasse is fun for hunting vintage and traditional clothing, even if you eventually buy elsewhere. Just leave yourself enough time that finding your festival outfit doesn’t turn into a frantic last-minute errand
Should You Buy, Rent or Look Secondhand?
For us, buying won hands down. We already had four Tracht-friendly events on our itinerary, I planned to return to Germany again the following year, and I preferred putting the money toward something I could keep.
If you only want to dress up for one evening and have no interest in wearing the outfit again, the calculation may be different. Compare the full purchase price with the full rental cost, including any deposit, cleaning fees and return requirements.
Secondhand can be a great middle ground if you enjoy the hunt and have enough time to find the right size. I saw plenty of very cute options in the €70–€100 range while I was looking and would happily have bought used if they’d had a size 36 that worked for me.
The most useful question may be: Do I like this enough to want another reason to wear it?
If the answer is yes, buying becomes much easier to justify. If it feels like something you’ll tolerate for a photograph and never want to wear again, renting may make more sense.
What to Check Before You Purchase
Price the Whole Outfit
A dirndl outfit usually means the dress, apron and blouse, but what’s included can vary from shop to shop. Before you fall in love with the price on the tag, ask whether the apron is included and whether the blouse costs extra.
For lederhosen, remember to factor in the shirt, socks and shoes as well as the lederhosen themselves. Men may be able to save a little here by wearing a white linen or dress shirt they already own instead of buying a traditional shirt.
Wearing my new dirndl at Wiener Kaiser Wiesn in Vienna, with one of the festival’s giant bears. At this point, buying Tracht had already started to feel like a very good decision.
Sit Down, Walk and Move Around
Try the outfit on properly. Sit down, raise your arms and walk around a little. You’ll be eating, standing, dancing and walking in it, so comfort matters.
For a dirndl, check the fit with the blouse you plan to wear. For lederhosen, ask the staff how snug they should feel and how much they’re likely to stretch with wear. Don’t rely on the size label alone.
My son learned this one the entertaining way: lederhosen that start too loose can become considerably looser after a few wears. Cue German men teasing him on the subway. (But mostly good-naturedly.)
Think About Shoes and Care
Wear shoes you already know you can walk, stand, and dance on a bench in. We both brought ours from home, along with the socks and stockings we needed.
Before buying, also ask how each piece should be cleaned and whether any alterations can be finished before your event or departure.
When Will You Wear a Dirndl or Lederhosen Again?
Fully committed to the look on the Ghost Train at Oktoberfest. Traditional dress, questionable ride decisions.
Beer festivals are the obvious answer, but Tracht isn’t limited to Oktoberfest.
In Vienna, you’ll see it at events like Wiener Kaiser Wiesn and Neustifter Kirtag, and traditional dress also appears at more formal occasions such as the Jägerball at the Hofburg.
If Vienna is just one stop on a longer trip through Austria or Bavaria, you may end up wearing your outfit several times before you even go home. We wore ours five times on that trip alone—in Vienna, Salzburg and Munich—which made buying feel much more sensible than renting for a single evening.
Was buying worth it?
Singing Sweet Caroline in full Tracht at Wiener Kaiser Wiesn in Vienna.
For me, yes.
Shopping for the clothes was a fun morning in Vienna, and wearing them to festivals in Vienna, Salzburg and Munich made each event feel even more special. I also liked knowing I was taking home something I genuinely planned to wear again.
My approach would be simple: browse secondhand first if you have the time and enjoy the hunt, then head to a specialist shop where you can compare pieces and get help with the fit.
And if you can find an outlet, even better. Original Salzburger Trachtenoutlet gave us a good balance of quality, traditional style and a lower price than we were seeing elsewhere.
Give yourself enough time to find something you’ll actually be excited to pull out of the wardrobe again—and then wear it, take far too many pictures, and have fun.
Planning your trip to Vienna? Next, read my guide to Wiener Kaiser Wiesn so you know what to expect at Vienna’s Oktoberfest, then check out the best time to visit Vienna and my Vienna itinerary for first-time visitors to build out the rest of your stay.
If you’re still deciding where to base yourself, I also have a guide to where to stay near the Belvedere, one of my favorite areas in the city.
