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    <author>
        <name>Alpenclassics.co.uk</name>
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    <title>Blog/Atom feed</title>
    <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends?sRss=1</id>
    <updated>2026-05-01T12:54:19+02:00</updated>
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">The Best Lederhosen of the 2018 Season</title>
            <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/the-best-lederhosen-of-the-2018-season</id>
            <link href="https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/the-best-lederhosen-of-the-2018-season"/>
            <summary type="html">
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                                            A pair of lederhosen is the central piece in traditional Bavarian costume for men – and lately, leather breeches have been becoming key items for women too. So we&#039;ve decided to do our bit and award prizes to the best of the 2015 crop in traditional award-show style.
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                 A pair of lederhosen is the central piece in traditional Bavarian costume for men – and lately, leather breeches have been becoming key items for women too. What is more, due to its high quality material and the handicraft skills needed to produce them, real Bavarian lederhosn are the most expensive piece of kit in any Oktoberfest outfit. And although there is no end of models, unlike shirts or aprons, you generally only ever tend to buy one at a time. 
 So we’d understand if you were on the look-out for a little help in finding the right lederhosen to buy – and have decided to do our bit and award prizes to the best of the 2015 crop in traditional award-show style. 
   Newcomer of the Year (Men’s)  As far as our jury is concerned, there is a very clear winner in this category: Stockerpoint&#039;s new deerskin model. It’s harder to be more of the moment than with this understated shade of leather - aged, darkened and nodding towards the current trend for “lived-in” pieces in Bavarian fashion. At the same time, however, Oliver has all of the classic lederhosen design elements such as the button-down flap across the fly, the traditional pouch for a hunting knife on the right-hand side, and buttons made of buckhorn. As a contemporary touch, the braces have been replaced by a belt. Oliver is a pair of lederhosen which keeps up with the trends, without being overly trendy, and is robust enough to be worn for several decades to come.  &amp;nbsp; 
   Newcomer of the Year (Women’s)  With ladies’ lederhosen having becoming so popular in recent years, there is no shortage of contenders for the newcomer category. But of course there can only be one winner, and for our jury, 2015’s stand-out new piece is  Xenia in old Havanna brown . This pair of women’s leather breeches manages to be both breezily boyish and coyly feminine: the shape and cut is short and tight - we&#039;re talking hotpants here - but the stitching and details are spot-on Bavarian. Traditions and trends in one amazing piece!  &amp;nbsp; 
      Comeback of the Year (Men’s)  It was a close-run thing: on the one hand, there are all the fantastic Stockerpoint deerskin lederhosen from 2016 that are still just begging to be bought. On the other hand, Krüger Buam has been bringing out a slew of experimental, contemporary pieces in recent years which, although not always immediately successful, soon gain a cult following. And so it is that the Comeback of the Year Award goes to a pair of Krüger breeches with striking white edelweiß stitching:  welcome back !!  &amp;nbsp; 
   Classic of the Year (Women’s)  Women’s lederhosen are experiencing an unbroken upswing of late – the operative words are “unbroken”, meaning that there aren’t ladies’ leather breeches that went away and are ready for a comeback just yet. That’s why we’re using this category to celebrate the ladies’ lederhosen that have remained relevant since release. And there’s a very clear winner for us here:  Jail in dark berry , a short, sexy garment which is going into its foruth season and is still the perfect accompaniment for new looks such as Bavarian-themed t-shirts or denim bodices. Despite its trendy role, however, Jail is also a clearly high-end piece of genuine quality. Bravo!  &amp;nbsp; 
   Lederhosen of the Year 2018  And now, whether for him or for her, we’ve got to settle on one overall winner. Which pair of lederhosen has impressed us Bavarian fashion know-it-alls this season more than all the others. Which pair would be put on a pedestal all of its own? Without further ado, the winner is... these fantastic deerskin over-knee breeches. The amazing thing about this pair of classic men&#039;s lederhosen by Stockerpoint is the way the designers have managed to make piece that is both accessible to first-timers and attractive to the experienced. This new effort in the premium deerskin category combines quality workmanship and traditional design with subtle, yet intriguing details such as morse-code style pointwork in place of standard embroidery. It is, quite simply, a work of genius, squaring the circle of fashion, quality, and timelessness - and making itself the clear 2018 winner! 
   &amp;nbsp; 
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                            <updated>2018-03-21T12:00:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Bavarian knitwear is looking fresh this winter</title>
            <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/bavarian-knitwear-is-looking-fresh-this-winter</id>
            <link href="https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/bavarian-knitwear-is-looking-fresh-this-winter"/>
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                                            Wool, with its versatile uses, warming fibres, and cuddly, soft feel is simply indispensable in winter. Which is why we’re delighted to be offering an extended range of woollen cardigans and jackets this year.
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                 Freezing snowdrifts, steely ice, biting northerly winds: when it comes to winter, the Bavarians know what they’re talking about. And that’s why their traditional clothing is made primarily of highly protective materials like leather, wool, and loden.   And wool, with its versatile uses, warming fibres, and cuddly, soft feel is simply indispensable in winter. Which is why we’re delighted to be offering an extended range of woollen cardigans and jackets this year which is more varied and colourful than ever before. You’ll find everything from smart, structured tops cut like blazers that, especially with a long dirndl, will give you a genuine vintage look, through to softer, more relaxed models for comfortable everyday wear – all of it in a range of colours and with a real eye for detail. 
     
 Girls, especially, can look forward to a range of new items, from traditional pieces like  Rosali in undyed beige  that can be combined with almost everything through to Dill, a formal bolero-style cropped shoulder cardigan for evening wear, a free-flowing knitted top with ruffles and open stitching. Whether you’re after something  smart and tailored  that wouldn&#039;t be out of place at the office or something as feminine as possible for an eye-catching outfit like  Ajour in pink , you’ll love our wool range. 
     
 Or why not go or something unusual like  Kiwi green ? It’s a traditionally-shaped cardigan with a modern twist that is just made for the new breed of fashionable ladies’ lederhosen. For many, though, the leather shorts that are so popular at the moment might be just a little too insubstantial for winter, so if you’re looking for a more classical look with a long-skirt dirndl or a nice pair of smart jeans, then it’s Bavarian knitwear like  our Hilda model  you’ll be looking for. This new interpretation of the classic ladies’ cardigan in a purled knitting pattern with additional floral edelweiss embroidery comes in soft pastel tones and can be worn for literally any occasion. 
    
 For the lads, the developments in  cardigan fashion  are, as you might expect, a little more conservative. Nevertheless, there’s a range of updates in Bavarian knitwear for men, too. The colours are the same as ever (anthrazite and graphite – i.e. grey, beige and brown - remain dominant) and give woollen jackets like Jan and Mitch a familiar granddad look, but trendy sew-on details, ribbed knits, an even hoods bring the pieces firmly into 2018. Nevertheless, the overall vintage shape and elbow patches anchors these pieces firmly in the heritage of the 1960s.   And that is just the way it should be: Bavarian fashion lives from its traditions, and anyone looking for proper winter clothing will be glad of it! 
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                            <updated>2018-01-10T11:45:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">The 2017 Oktoberfest fashion trends</title>
            <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/the-2017-oktoberfest-fashion-trends</id>
            <link href="https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/the-2017-oktoberfest-fashion-trends"/>
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                                            Want to make sure that your outfit doesn’t scream “TOURIST!” at everyone at this year’s Munich Oktoberfest? Then read up on the trends for this year and dress accordingly.
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                 Want to make sure that your outfit doesn’t scream “TOURIST!” at everyone at this year’s Munich Oktoberfest? Then read up on the trends for this year and dress accordingly, because beyond the classic dirndl ensemble for the ladies and lederhosen+shirt+stockings for the boys, there is a whole world of Bavarian fashion out there – and knowing what’s currently in will not only get you an even warmer welcome in the beer gardens, but help you to tell real Munich insiders from the German tourists, too! 
   So what will clued-up Munich residents be wearing at the 2017 Oktoberfest? Well, it depends a little on the tent. In the classic Munich tents such as Augustiner-Festhalle and Armbrustschützen-Festzelt, you’ll find that people are going more  traditional  than ever before. It’s no longer just about vintage lederhosen or longer, grandma-style dirndls: even the younger lads are getting into loden blazers, silken waitcoats, and jewellery accessories such as charivaris. For the ladies, it’s about complementing that pastel-coloured, lace-detailed dirndl with a matching knitted cardigan and sensible half-heels. 
   The city’s fasionistas, meanwhile – look out for them on their way to Käfer oder Kuffler’s – are rediscovering the  retro  charm of the late 1950s and early 1960s. You might think this is traditional, but it’s actually quite different to the typical lederhosen and dirndl combinations. For the ladies, for example, it means pleated skirts and high-neck blouses (dirndls, of course, have a low neckline and a simple skirt), made Bavarian with floral details and such like. The look is less well-defined for men, of course, but means axing big beards and going very clean-cut. Watch out for sharper, dressier, and less distinctively Bavarian shirts, paired with college jackets given a slight Alpine twist with sewn-on coats of arms or deer-antler embroidery. 
   Every trend, of course, provokes a reaction, and so you’ll also find another type of Munich insider who is going in the opposite direction to tradition and retro – i.e. casual, relaxed, and contemporary. It’s about easy, uncomplicated clothing that retains a Bavarian note without being fuddy-duddy: both for lads and ladies, the basis are lederhosen, short and worn without the classic braces, combined with printed t-shirts and tops and trainers or boots (as opposed to the somewhat inflexible leather brogues traditionally paired with lederhosen). Some are even replacing the leather breeches themselves with denim shorts sporting classic lederhosen features such as the front flap and buckhorn buttons. You’ll see this look among the young, sporty crowd hoping to catch a glimpse of the Bayern Munich team in the Paulaner-Zelt or in the Löwenbräu beer garden. 
 We hope this will help you in your quest to not stick out like a sore, out-of-town thumb! Enjoy the Oktoberfest like a local:  Prost ! 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2017-08-16T11:15:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Oktoberfest blouses: boyfriend look or &#039;granny knows best&#039;?</title>
            <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/oktoberfest-blouses-boyfriend-look-or-granny-knows-best</id>
            <link href="https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/oktoberfest-blouses-boyfriend-look-or-granny-knows-best"/>
            <summary type="html">
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                                            Dirndl blouses are crop-tops made to be part of the traditional dirndl dress. An Oktoberfest blouse, though, is a full top designed to go with women’s lederhosen, Bavarian-style jeans, or traditional skirts
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                 First, let’s start off by defining our terms: when we say “Oktoberfest blouses”, we don’t mean “ dirndl blouses ”. Dirndl blouses are crop-top blouses made specifically to work as part of the traditional dirndl dress, which makes them more underwear than anything else. An Oktoberfest blouse, however, is quite a new item. It’s a full top designed to go with women’s lederhosen, with Bavarian-style jeans, or with traditional skirts. And as Oktoberfest outfits which don’t centre on dirndls have become more popular, from this season on, we’re offering an extended range of blouses to make sure our customers have something to combine with every kind of Bavarian style. 
    Checked blouses – just right for jeans   
 Want the boyfriend look; don’t want to actually look like your boyfriend? We and the good people at Orbis hear you, and have a range of  checked   blouses  with the emphasis on “blouse”, not shirt. Combine them with three-quarter-length Bavarian jeans and pretty  Alpine necklaces  for a gutsy, but feminine, look. 
 If you really want to beat the boys at their own game, though, then Orbis has also got some shirt-shirts for ladies which look gret with lederhosen. They’re almost not blouses at all, but thanks to their tailored shape, they’ll still show off you figure. 
 &amp;nbsp; 
   
   Lots of white, frills, and flowers – granny knows best   
 For a few seasons now, the vintage look has been big: simple, reserved colours, gentle patterns, and classic details – not to mention whole categories of clothes which had long been considered dead an buried. Like knee-length pleated skirts, for example, which are to come roaring back this year, bringing frilly, yet not overly-mumsy  blouses  along with them as the look of the season 
 . 
 There’s no need to go full-out matron-y, though, if you don’t want to: frilly blouses also work very well with lederhosen, jeans, and other trousers, as another  Orbis line  shows;  contrasting colours  on the ruffles, frills, and buttons can also add another layer of detail, helping to create an outfit that is as sophisticated as it is contemporary. 
    Flowery and off-the-shoulder – blouses for girls   
 Despite all the new styles and the popularity of vintage throwbacks, even the word “blouse” can be a turn-off for some: sounds a bit like something a school-mistress would wear, right? Wrong! Off-shoulder Oktoberfest blouses are decidedly young and slightly risqué; matching this cut with floral patterning creates girly, playful tops that work perfectly with lederhosen and  sneakers . 
  Sleeveless tops  too can help to pep up an Oktoberfest outfit and make it that bit more. Then again, sometimes, just a few details such as piping and ribbing are enough to make a light blue-grey-green coloured blouse into a real statement piece. 
 &amp;nbsp; 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2017-06-07T12:15:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">From lumberjacks to licenced traders: the right Oktoberfest shirt for everyone</title>
            <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/from-lumberjacks-to-licenced-traders-the-right-oktoberfest-shirt-for-everyone</id>
            <link href="https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/from-lumberjacks-to-licenced-traders-the-right-oktoberfest-shirt-for-everyone"/>
            <summary type="html">
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                                            A pair of lederhosen will be around for years, trusty and sturdy, so the shirt worn with it is the only option for anyone looking to bring some variety into their Bavarian outfit. And variety, we&#039;ve got...
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                 As Bavarian fashion experts say: “A lederhosen is for life – a shirt is for a season.” Now, that might be something of an exaggeration: surprise, surprise, some guys actually buy a new pair of leather breeches at some point – either because they fancy something different or due to  force majeure  (i.e. water damage) – and some even own several pairs at once. What’s more, when you’ve found your favourite shirt, you’ll generally end up wearing until it falls off, right? Nevertheless, there is some truth to the statement because a pair of lederhosen will be around for years, trusty and sturdy, so the shirt worn with it is the only option for anyone looking to bring some variety into their Bavarian outfit. 
 And in terms of variety, this is a season like no other: there are  more styles and a wider choice in each category of shirt  than ever before. Whether you’re after a checked shirt and want your pick of patterns or would rather go for something more formal in purest white; whether you want to go full Farmer Giles with a drawstring across the chest or want to look sharp in a fashionable floral patterned shirt: there’s something for every situation and for every style. So whether you’re the lumberjack-type or more of an off-duty licenced trader, whether you’re out all day hiking in the Alps or you’ve been invited to a Bavarian wedding, our Oktoberfest shirts give you your choice of looks so that you can wear your lederhosen on every occasion. Read on for a selection of our favourite styles. 
    Classic checked   
 Gingham check is  the  classic Bavarian shirt pattern. While in recent years these small squares have often been written off as old fashioned (“Why would you want to wear something that looks like a tablecloth?”), this season, they’re coming back around as part of the overall trend towards vintage. What’s more, we never actually saw what the problem with checked shirts is, anyway; quite to the contrary, because you can’t beat a classic. The traditional Bavarian check shirt is just right for the Oktoberfest and similar beer fests when you need to look well-dressed but not overly smart. 
 Pro tip: if you really do think you look like your granddad in Gingham check, mix things up a bit by going for  a short-sleeved version . 
    Lumberjack look   
 If you’re the kind of guy that likes to go for a more rough-edged look, then we’d recommend our new set of lumberjack shirts. Yes, we’ll admit it: it’s hipsters that got us thinking about them – but you don’t need big glasses and a big beard to look good in one of these. Bonus: you can wear them with a pair of jeans, too. After all, just like denim, lumberjack shirts and lederhosen are both fashion versions of genuine robust utility wear, so they all fit together rather well. 
 And so while the  tartan check  and details like buttons on the arms to hold rolled-up sleeves are primarily fashion details, they also make this type of shirt into a genuinely functional piece of clothing that is just right if you like a little light activity before your afternoon in the beer garden… 
     Granddad-look    
 Known as  Pfoad  in Bavarian dialect, these granddad shirts almost slipped into complete oblivion before staging a comeback in recent years. They only have two or three buttons up to the collar and need to be pulled over/off, so we’re in real old-fashioned territory here (once, a “button-down shirt” was Sunday best or a sign that you were no longer a farm labourer). 
 If you’re into looks even older than vintage, then these traditional costume shirts are just right for you. Opt for a full linen version if you want to stay true to the original and if the temperatures are headed upwards; a polyester-cotton version looks somewhat sharper and gives the style a modern twist. 
    Going-out shirt   
 If you count upper-middle-class Munich residents among your acquaintances, then you’ll know how they dress during the Oktoberfest: lederhosen and a smart shirt so that they can head into the office in the morning and then make an early exit towards the tents. You’ll see them later on in Augustiner or Schützenfestzelt, two buttons open and two litres in. The choice is between a genuine Trachten shirt that doesn’t look too obviously Oktoberfesty (plain white with a few details like buckhorn buttons) or a smart shirt with a few Bavarian elements. Our  newest shirts this season  combine smart features like two-tone patterning or cuff interiors in contrasting colours with nods to Bavarian traditions such as embroidered stags. 
 So if you’ve just started a new job in Munich and are unsure of how to proceed on Oktoberfest days, remember: stay seated at your desk and the boss will never know that you’re planning to slip out mid-afternoon. Until you run across him in Armbrustschützen-Festzelt, of course... 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2017-05-24T12:15:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Our pick of the 2017 lederhosen</title>
            <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/our-pick-of-the-2017-lederhosen</id>
            <link href="https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/our-pick-of-the-2017-lederhosen"/>
            <summary type="html">
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                                            With most of the new 2017 Bavarian fashion collections now on the market in time for the spring Strong Beer Festivals, there’s no time like the present to look at buying a new pair of lederhosen
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                 With most of the new 2017 Bavarian fashion collections now on the market in time for the spring Strong Beer Festivals, there’s no time like the present to look at buying a new  pair of lederhosen . Whether you already own genuine Bavarian leather breeches which have seen a few too many Oktoberfests, or whether this will be your first pair, there’s something new for everyone – from good-value starter lederhosen through to real collectors’ pieces. To get you started, here are our three favourites for 2017 
   Edelweiß floral embroidery – authentic Bavarian detail   
 Historically, lederhosen have not been particularly flashy; it was all about quality workmanship and design understatement: i.e. black or dark brown leather, embroidery (but not overdone), and traditional shapes. Then, there was a serious rebellion against these limitations, with lederhosen turning up in all kinds of colours – often overly brash. And as necessary as this may have been in order to show just how much is possible with a piece of leather, it all got a bit out of hands 
   Now the point has been made, however, new ideas can be incorporated into lederhosen without things getting too out of hand. So we’re seeing  all sorts of new shapes  (2015-16 saw flaps replaced with flies in some models, for example   left  ) with tried-and-tested colours, and a renewed focus getting creative with classic design elements such as embroidery. The new  Krüger Buam short lederhosen , for example (  right  ), features Edelweiß floral patterning on the bib and matching heraldry on the thigh-pocket. The traditional brown leather gets a contemporary twist on the thighs, too, where the traditional garlands have given way – unremarkably at first glance – to a bare-bone deer skull and antlers. 
   Lederhosen-style jeans - starter model   
 Denim jeans in lederhosen style first came out a while back, and since then, they’ve gone on to established themselves as the alternative for anyone who wants to try out wearing lederhosen but is unsure about diving in at deep end – i.e. wary of a heavy feel (especially in hotter weather) or needing to travel light (headed for the Oktoberfest). Being able to just throw them in the wash is another real plus-point. 
   With their simple blue jeans featuring a classic Bavarian flap instead of a fly, Stockerpoint got the whole thing going (this  ground-breaking classic ,   left  , is still available), and now it’s Marjo who have gone to  the next stage  this year by adding typical lederhosen details such as knife pockets and thigh-side ribbons to lederhosen jeans (  right  ). What is more, with their beige leather-tones, this pair are the perfect choice for an authentic lederhosen look in comfortable denim feel. Do &quot;lederhosen jeans&quot; sound like something of a trend? Yes. It&#039;s hard to see them still being around in 100 years. But then again, they&#039;re a fun trend that combines too of the manliest, most hard-wearing trousers ever invented. So we see them lasting a good few years... 
   Deerskin lifetime lederhosen - an investment for the future   
 If it’s not trends you’re after, though, but an absolute classic so timeless and so well-made that you’ll be passing it onto your grandkids, then look no further: Stockerpoint has got  the pair for you : deerskin (rather than the standard buckskin), classic design, beautiful detail... And remember, if you divide the price by the number of years you and your successors will be wearing them, then they only cost about £10 annually…! 
   
 &amp;nbsp; 
 &amp;nbsp; 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2017-03-22T11:45:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Winter warmers that look sharp: Bavarian men’s jackets</title>
            <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/winter-warmers-that-look-sharp-bavarian-men-s-jackets</id>
            <link href="https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/winter-warmers-that-look-sharp-bavarian-men-s-jackets"/>
            <summary type="html">
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                                            We&#039;re seeing an explosion in the way the traditional Bavarian jacket is interpreted. Besides the classic loden models in grey or brown with their green piping and collars, there are now new ideas hitting the market almost weekly
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                 There are very few pieces of clothing that say “I’m from Munich” as clearly as a traditional jacket. If lederhosen are typical of Bavaria and checked shirts the uniform of its farmers, then the classic blazer-style jackets made of loden (pressed and rolled wool, or “broadcloth” as it was once called in English) are what makes the Munich man look the part. They’re at once down-to-earth and classy, both traditional and cosmopolitan. Ever since they become fashionable, these jackets have had a twin role: both to use natural materials to protect the wearer from the elements and yet, in so doing, make him look smart. 
   That’s why the  Janker , as German calls this form of Bavarian jacket, looks sharp: it was cut so that Bavarian men could look presentable in town and show their wealth in the countryside. These demands explain the blazer-style structured cut and the fact that well-off Munich residents will often trade in the buckhorn buttons for gold ones; it also explains why you’ll even see politicians and businessmen combining them with silk ties and tailored-made shirts. 
 It’s probably this role in bridging the gap between traditional Bavaria and the modern world that this form of jacket has grown even more in popularity in recent years. The current trend away from set  Tracht  outfits towards mixing and matching traditional pieces with other parts of the wardrobe has definitely played to the jackets’ strengths as acceptable counterparts to jeans, corduroys, and suit trousers, to tops, pullovers, and shirts. 
 That is most likely what is behind the explosion we’re now seeing in the way the  traditional Bavarian jacket  is interpreted. Besides the classic  loden  models in grey or brown with their green piping and collars, there are now new ideas hitting the market almost weekly. 
   There are the jackets which are almost overcoats: while the outline and cut are as usual (short at the hips, broad at the shoulder) the materials are new: genuine  leather  or even artificial  vintage-look leather  are helping the  Janker  to transition into everyday wear without cheapening it. Other models are combining loden and leather – and mixing in looks from recent fashion trends such as arms in different fabrics to the body and (which new-season bomber would be complete without them?) patches. 
   Others are sticking to  woollen fabrics , but rounding off the sharp edges and going for a loose structure and younger-looking style. Here, too, you’ll find patches as new colours make their way into traditional jackets, especially blue. The same is happening in this summer’s trend segment,  linen  jackets, which introduced grey and, above all, blue – along with a more informal, but nevertheless decidedly grown-up, look. 
   More formal jackets, too, are incorporating blues and other colours such as taupe or lighter browns. Yes: there are now Bavarian jackets which look even more formal than traditional  Janker , a feat achieved by brands such Orbis thanks to shimmering  velvet-look  polyester-polyamide-elasthene blends which make any and every jacket suitable for business and evening wear. 
 So the message this winter is a clear one: why go out and get another leather coat or a new bomber jacket when a smart Bavarian jacket is available in every segment? Not to mention the benefit of having something you can put on if the weather takes a turn for the worse at the next Oktoberfest… 
  &amp;nbsp; 
 &amp;nbsp; 
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                            <updated>2016-11-30T10:15:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Winter warmers that look sharp: Bavarian ladies’ jackets</title>
            <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/winter-warmers-that-look-sharp-bavarian-ladies-jackets</id>
            <link href="https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/winter-warmers-that-look-sharp-bavarian-ladies-jackets"/>
            <summary type="html">
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                                            the best thing about women’s fashion is that girls are happier to experiment. Which is why we are absolutely delighted with the winter collections for 2016-17, showing as they do just how much more can be done with Bavarian jackets for women.
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                 If we’re talking about Bavarian women’s fashion for the winter, the first thing most of us are likely to think of are  woolly cardigans and sweaters . Not that there’s anything wrong with or about that: Bavarian knits keep you nice and warm and feel soft and cosy. Nifty little cardigans can complement a dirndl nicely, and recent years have seen a range of longer button-down cardigans inspired by men’s fashion to match women’s lederhosen. 
  Nevertheless, although they may have given us lederhosen and the right cardigans to go with them, the boys have been keeping something else rather more to themselves: loden jackets. They’re what Bavarian men wear when plain knitted wool just doesn’t cut it anymore – i.e. when it’s raining so hard or snowing so mushily that the garn will soak up water, or when it’s so windy that it whistles through the gaps in the mesh and chills you to the bone. Or, more simply, when it’s about making an impression at an evening do and a simple knit isn’t dressy enough – too soft, too flowing, not sharp enough. 
 A classic loden jacket is made of wool too, of course, but loden a very special type known traditionally in English as broadcloth. To the touch, it feels like velvet or felt – and certainly looks like felt, too – but it’s actually just wool compacted, milled, and treated until it becomes so thick that it is waterproof, retains heat, and keeps its shape. In fact, loden is stiff enough to carry lining and can be cut to give a suit-jacket-style silhouette. That’s why it’s so suitable for dressy occasions in the winter. 
 Now, these qualities have not gone undiscovered, meaning that Bavarian women have had their own loden pieces for several years already. Often, though, they looked like little more than afterthoughts, versions of the classic men’s jackets taken in a bit at the waist. The colours were charcoal grey and coffee brown, with the odd bit of forest green piping and gold buttons as the highpoints. But of course the best thing about women’s fashion is that girls are happier to experiment with different colours and have a great eye for fun details, right ladies? 
  Bavarian loden jackets made for women  
   That’s why we are absolutely delighted with the winter collections for 2016-17, showing as they do just how much more can be done with  Bavarian jackets for women . So finally, there are some real statement pieces out there, like the jackets by Spieth &amp;amp; Wensky, which are both as smart and sharp as their male counterparts, but filled with the kind of feminine detail missing from previous efforts. The colours, especially, are exciting, with red and green both as floral patterning or on the seams and, most strikingly, as the overall fabric colour. 
   Then there are Orbis’ new designs, revolutionary in other ways. While the colours remain reserved (although, of course, using blue – however dark – is in its own way a mini-rebellion…), the fabric is a real revolution: the polyester-polyamid-lycra blend ensures that these jackets are not only waterproof, warming, and shape-retaining, but also have a subtle-yet-striking sheen to them. Combined with rich detail such as decorative buttons and darting, these pieces are dressy enough for smart evening festivities. 
 Orbis has also gone for something completely new, founding a new genre in women’s Bavarian jackets: the frock coat. It’s a real treat for girls who like traditional shapes – and who know just how important a long overcoat can be when the temperatures really head south – but who like practical pieces that can be combined with jeans or a range of other outfits. This jacket really lifts whatever it is you’ve got on and makes a strong statement. So let wool be all cuddly and warm – it fits nicely under a coat… 
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                            <updated>2016-11-16T11:15:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Oktoberfest hair accessories are all the rage</title>
            <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/oktoberfest-hair-accessories-are-all-the-rage</id>
            <link href="https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/oktoberfest-hair-accessories-are-all-the-rage"/>
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                                            A key Bavarian fashion trend in 2016 comes in the form of hair accessories. At this year’s Oktoberfest, expect extras such as floral hairbands and hair clips to be just as noticeable as changes in dirndl and lederhosen fashions – if not more so.
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                 A key Bavarian fashion trend in summer and autumn 2016 comes in the form of hair accessories. At this year’s Oktoberfest, expect the new prevalence of extras such as floral hairbands and hair clips to be just as noticeable as changes in dirndl and lederhosen fashions – if not more so, since, in comparison to the often quite slight movements in fabrics and colours, the sudden spread of floral hair accessories will make this year’s beer festivals look decidedly different from those in recent years. Sure, some of the girls have been weaving flowers into their locks for a couple of seasons now as the natural look makes a comeback, but this year, dirndl wearers without some form of floral hair decoration are likely to be in the minority at the Munich Oktoberfest. From then on in, the trend is mainstream. 
 As ever, we at the Oktoberfest Dirndl Shop are ahead of the curve: we’ve already got a broad range of floral   hair accessories   to complement ladies’ dirndl and lederhosen outfits: we stock hairbands, hair wreathes, and hairclips, as well as hat accessories and pins, too. 
  The easiest to wear and the most versatile of our various hair accessories the  floral hairband . Consisting of a metal frame covered in satin and decorated with artificial blossoms, our hairbands can be worn in front of pinned up hair and buns, simply put on at the last minute for that final touch. We also have several looser garlands based on bendable wire and ribbons which can be adapted to all sizes and made to finish off a hairstyle or liven up a hat. Whether loose or tight-fitting, all of our hairbands feature a charming mixture of flowers, blossom, and berries, giving them that fresh summer meadow look. 
  Slightly lighter and visually less prominent are our  wreath-style hairbands , which are based on thin metal rings and go full circle. Worn in more horizontal way and running closer to the forehead, these wreathes look beautiful when used to crown hair worn open. 
  Another easy accessory is a floral hairclip, which uses an elastic band covered in low-key coloured material to make sure that your floral decoration sits tight – and your hair-do stays put. Clips, too, with a single artificial flower and a decorative ribbon, are easy-to-use accessories which liven up not only a hairstyle, but a whole outfit in a matter of moments. 
 With all of this on offer, we girls are going to have quite a bit of difficulty deciding how to decorate our hair for this year’s Oktoberfest fun. Not quite as much difficulty as we would if we had to actually make our own floral hair wreathes, however... 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2016-08-03T11:15:00+02:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">The best lederhosen of 2016</title>
            <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/the-best-lederhosen-of-2016</id>
            <link href="https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/the-best-lederhosen-of-2016"/>
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                                            The new batch of classic, high quality lederhosen hitting the market means that we’re going to have make space for another pair: but which?
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                 Okay, let’s start by being honest here: we’ve all already got several pairs of lederhosen in our wardrobes at home. Then again, that – and the (admittedly very pertinent) argument that lederhosen are made to be kept and worn for a lifetime – has never stopped us from getting excited about the new season’s leather breeches. In that respect, 2016 is no exception, and the new batch of classic, high quality models hitting the market means that we’re going to have make space for another pair. But which? 
    If you’re looking to acquire a(nother) pair and need a recommendation, we’ve narrowed it down to three new lederhosen. In the lower price segment, you simply can’t beat Stockerpoint’s 1843 model,  short lederhosen , in a reserved, quiet shade of  old grey . The detail, too, is understated, as is the embroidery and the piping. Then again, these sturdy bottoms made of goat suede leather are not short on authentic details such as the knife-pocket on the right-hand leg. We’d call this a classic pair of lederhosen, perfect for long days at beer festivals and, with its easily combinable colouring, a great match for all of your existing shirts, socks, and other accessories. 
     
 &amp;nbsp; 
 Next up is an altogether pricier model: made of  deerskin , this is definitely a step up into the big leagues, but one which rewards with astonishing craftsmanship and unbeatable quality. The object of our affections is model 1880 in the almost-untranslatable colour shade of stoaoid  (“stone old” – somewhere between stonewashed and vintage). This is definitely a pair of lederhosen that will get people looking and talking: any Bavarian worth their salt will recognise the genuine deerskin material and marvel at the lovingly detailed embroidery... If you’re a Munich regular who likes to look his best for The Fest, this is quite simply the kind of lederhosen you’ve been dreaming about! Read up on deerskin here...    
 &amp;nbsp; 
 &amp;nbsp; 
 In fact, our Lederhosen of the Year is also made of this magic material. This pair of  knee-length leather breeches  is so traditional, so classic, and so well-made that it’s almost revolutionary: it doesn’t have a big name – it’s referred to simply as 1913 - but it does have a strong colour ( uroid , or “ancient”) and an unparalleled level of workmanship. Whether it’s the embroidery on the bib or the eye-catchingly broad stitched finish to the leg, this is a pair of lederhosen that just keeps on revealing well thought-out and expertly executed details. If we could only scrape together the funds for this King of All Lederhosen, we’d never need another one ever again. Ever. Well, until next season, that is... 
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            </content>

                            <updated>2016-03-23T12:15:00+01:00</updated>
                    </entry>

    
    
        <entry>
            <title type="text">Denim dirndls: the trend that just keeps on going</title>
            <id>https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/denim-dirndls-the-trend-that-just-keeps-on-going</id>
            <link href="https://www.alpenclassics.co.uk/blog/trends/denim-dirndls-the-trend-that-just-keeps-on-going"/>
            <summary type="html">
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                                            If summer 2015 has shown one thing, it&#039;s that denim dirndls are here to stay, both in short and medium-length dresses - and in other areas of Bavarian fashion too.
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                 As anyone who&amp;rsquo;s in the fashion business will tell you, trends tend to be either flashes in the pan or forest fires: while some flicker up for a moment, bright and sizzling, but are gone after a season, others just keep on eating their way through collection after collection &amp;ndash; sometimes as flames, sometimes as smouldering embers. And during this hot summer 2015, it&amp;rsquo;s been proven beyond a doubt that denim as an element of Bavarian costume and Oktoberfest fashion is a forest fire. When the first &amp;ldquo;jeans dirndl&amp;rdquo; pieces like Ricky (short) or Jolina (midi length) came out last year, they were one-offs, flanked by the occasional denim bodice or jeans with lederhosen-style stitching. 
 
 
 
    Marina: denim bodice, red apron 
    Ricky: the original, with denim apron and red-white check. 
    Marine: Jeans apron and blue-white check 
 
 
 
 Now, summer 2015 has shown that denim dirndls are here to stay. In the short-length dresses, for example, Ricky has spliced into two other models: the original had a denim apron and a red-and-white check dress, and has now spawned two versions, each picking out a different detail. While one now has a red apron with a blue-and-white chequered dress, the other has kept the blue denim with the new blue-and-white pattern. The midi &amp;ndash; knee-length &amp;ndash; models have changed too: the original Country &amp;amp; Western style of Jolina has been modified, with Joana taking denim into an otherwise highly traditional design, combining it with a decorative fronticepiece and a classic patterned apron; Paloma, meanwhile, has taken an entirely different path, going shoulderless and taking on the simple, modern forms of the 1950s. 
 
 
 
    Paloma with a retro-look and a 1950s cut 
    Joana brings denim into a classic Bavarian dirndl 
    The front of the Joana model is traditionally embroidered and modern - thanks to its denim. 
 
 
 
 &amp;nbsp;  What this ever broader range of denim dirndls tells us is that what was once a trend is now a feature that will become more and more standard as the seasons go by. And as with all trends which make the leap into as-standard features, this isn&amp;rsquo;t just a question of the look: denim is attractive because it&amp;rsquo;s hard-wearing, breathable, and familiar. That means it&amp;rsquo;s actually by no means a surprise that &amp;ldquo;jeans dirndls&amp;rdquo;, as German calls them, have established themselves as standard elements of Bavarian fashion so quickly. In fact, the real oddity is that it took so long to take this classic piece of American heavy-duty work clothing and apply it to traditional Bavarian costume &amp;ndash; which was, of course, originally also meant to be worn for demanding manual tasks &amp;hellip; 
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                            <updated>2015-06-24T13:00:00+02:00</updated>
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