The traditional women’s dress worn at Oktoberfest is the dirndl.
A modern dirndl typically combines a close-fitting bodice, a blouse, a wide high-waisted skirt and an apron. It originated in German-speaking Alpine regions and is traditionally worn by women and girls in parts of Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and northern Italy. At Munich’s Oktoberfest, the outfit is often called Wiesntracht, using “Wiesn,” the local name for the festival grounds.
The dirndl began as practical rural clothing and later became a recognized folk costume. During the late 19th century, upper- and middle-class fashion adopted its Alpine styling, helping transform it from workwear into a celebrated festival garment. Its popularity grew again from the 1990s, when dirndls and lederhosen became strongly associated with Oktoberfest.
Kleid simply means “dress” in German, while Tracht means traditional costume more generally. A dirndl is a specific type of Tracht, not a synonym for every traditional dress. The blouse and apron are important parts of the recognizable ensemble.