--- title: Made in Upperaustria url: "https://www.upperaustria.com/en/magazine/made-in-upperaustria.html" description: The high craftsmanship of the Upper Austrians is reflected in many areas. For example, in the traditional costume. Take a look at the traditional costume tailoring and learn everything about types of traditional costumes, dirndl bows, accessories and much more. image: "https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/user_upload/upperaustria/Logo_upperuastria_RGB_300x300px_Websites.png" date: 2023-02-27 modified: 2023-02-27 --- # Made in Upperaustria ![Junge Dame in einer Tracht des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/e/0/csm_Heimatwerk-Dirndl_OOE-Maybach_HG_135e7b28db.jpg "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Junge Dame in einer Tracht des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks") ![Junge Dame in einer Tracht des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/e/0/csm_Heimatwerk-Dirndl_OOE-Maybach_HG_ba0267f089.jpg "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Junge Dame in einer Tracht des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks") Made in Upperaustria. ======================== © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Junge Dame in einer Tracht des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks Close copyright **Made in Upper Austria** ========================= Maria Huber, from the [ ](https://www.ooe-heimatwerk.at/)Upper Austrian Heimatwerk, is curator of a piece of living history. She is custodian of the Upper Austrian *Trachtenmappe*, a portfolio that brings together all the styles, patterns and colours of all the traditional costumes in “Land ob der Enns”, as Upper Austria was once known. In these parts there are around 800 certified traditional costumes. The *Trachtenmappe* was published in the 1950s and new designs continue to be added, one by one, to this day. Even traditional costume is affected by certain trends. © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Christina Tropper: Maria Huber mit dem Trachtenbuch Close copyright ![Maria Huber mit dem Trachtenbuch](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/0/e/csm_Heimatwerk-Huber_OOE-Maybach_3s_ddcccea5dc.png "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Christina Tropper: Maria Huber mit dem Trachtenbuch") “*Tracht* is traditional clothing that is closely related to the landscape,” says Maria Huber. “The colours of the dirndl are often based on the region it comes from,” she adds. By lakes, it’s common to find lots of different shades of blue. In forest regions, green tends to dominate. The Upper Austrian Heimatwerk also holds committee meetings, together with the *Goldhaubenfrauen* (a group of women actively involved in preserving traditional costume, particularly the traditional gold bonnets after which the group is named), to decide whether a dirndl is genuinely *Tracht.* © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Trachtenbuch des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks Close copyright ![Trachtenbuch des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/c/4/csm_Heimatwerk-Trachtenbuch_OOE-Maybach_3s_aba325de04.jpg "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Trachtenbuch des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks") “There are certain requirements that official *Tracht* must meet – the colours and fabrics must be related to the place. So, something like the colours of the municipal coat of arms could be incorporated into the fabric,” according to the traditional costume expert. *Tracht* has seen a real boom throughout Austria for more than ten years now. “I’ve noticed that Austrians living abroad are particularly proud of our traditional clothing as well. In the past I’ve had customers ask us to tailor-make the Upper Austrian festival dirndl for an embassy reception in New York City. Because clothing is something that connects us, and *Tracht* especially is an outward expression of a particular community. Style doppelgängers ------------------- The plethora of Upper Austrian traditional costumes has led to some municipalities becoming style doppelgängers. “Sometimes two dirndls from two communities can look similar from a distance. In these cases, the cut or some special embroidery is what makes the main difference,” says Huber. The typical dirndl colours are green, blue, red, pink, purple, black and brown. © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Blick in das Trachtensortiment des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks Close copyright ![Blick in das Trachtensortiment des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/4/4/csm_Heimatwerk-Dirndlgarderobe_OOE-Maybach_3s_18a2b522af.jpg "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Blick in das Trachtensortiment des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks") Tailoring traditional costumes ------------------------------ In a little room on the first floor of the Upper Austrian Heimatwerk in Linz, next to the salesrooms, there is also a tailor’s shop. This is Meta Kirchweger’s empire. The young tailor from Linz is passionate about her work and loves traditional master craftsmanship and high-quality materials. “It takes me around 16 hours to make a dirndl. Obviously, the sky’s the limit and there’s no end to the amount of embroidery you can add to a dirndl – depending on what the customer wants.” © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Schneiderin Meta Kirchweger im Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerk Close copyright ![Schneiderin Meta Kirchweger im Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerk](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/a/c/csm_Heimatwerk-Schneiderin_OOE-Maybach_3s_e9f1a603b8.jpg "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Schneiderin Meta Kirchweger im Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerk") Custom dirndls have a lead time of four to six weeks. This is because even the buttonholes on the Heimatwerk dirndls are handmade. “The most difficult thing is getting the darts on the chest right though. It’s really important because otherwise the dirndl won’t sit right,” says the young expert dirndl maker. Her fingers get pricked daily – that seems to be the lot of the handworker ... © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: In der Schneiderei des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks Close copyright ![In der Schneiderei des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/3/b/csm_Heimatwerk-Schneiderei-2_OOE-Maybach_3s_8a0e73fba1.jpg "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: In der Schneiderei des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks") View into the tailor shop ---------------------------- [Video](//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsg24ZbP24A "The YouTube video will open in a new window.") The Upper Austrian dirndl ------------------------- So, what does the traditional Upper Austrian costume, with its black skirt, red body, and blue and white apron, say about the people of our region? “We don’t have much specific historical information,” says expert, Maria Huber, leafing somewhat critically through her old book of traditional costume again. But if we take a look back at the past, there are a few reasonable assumptions we can make: “The colours red and blue were relatively easy to produce, even 200 years ago. And back then people were hungry for colour, because there weren’t as many opportunities to dress brightly.” The blue dirndl apron with its white pattern could also be a symbol of the Danube. But nobody really knows for sure, not even Maria Huber. © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Junge Dame im Oberösterreicher Dirndl Close copyright ![Junge Dame im Oberösterreicher Dirndl](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/6/2/csm_Heimatwerk-OOE-Dirndl_OOE-Maybach_3s_7dbff67f88.png "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Junge Dame im Oberösterreicher Dirndl") Everyday dirndl versus traditional festive costume -------------------------------------------------- The choice of fabric is the main difference between an everyday dirndl and a traditional festive costume. When it comes to traditional festive costumes, aprons are usually made from silk. The dirndl fabric is often high-quality wool fabric. Handmade bobbin lace, high-end embroidery and elaborate embellishments are the hallmarks of traditional festive dirndls, which tend to be worn for christenings, weddings or balls. Everyday dirndls, on the other hand, feature simpler fabrics like linen and cotton. They are chic but functional. © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Junge Dame in einer Tracht des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks Close copyright ![Junge Dame in einer Tracht des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/c/8/csm_Heimatwerk-Dirndl-2_OOE-Maybach_3s_d50f9acbe1.jpg "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Junge Dame in einer Tracht des Oberösterreichischen Heimatwerks") Traditional costume trends -------------------------- While original *Trachten* always stay the same, dirndl fashion is as much subject to trends as the rest of the clothing industry. After all, even traditional dress is allowed to evolve, although it has to stick to certain guidelines, particularly when it comes to the choice of material. High-necked dirndls, like the ones worn in our grandmothers’ day, are popular right now. © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Junge Damen in Tracht am Dachboden des Ursulinenhofes Close copyright ![Junge Damen in Tracht am Dachboden des Ursulinenhofes](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/4/3/csm_Heimatwerk-3-Dirndl_OOE-Maybach_3s_50665399f6.jpg "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Junge Damen in Tracht am Dachboden des Ursulinenhofes") Eva-Maria Naderhirn is a Perg-based master tailor with a modern take on the dirndl. Under her own label, [Bergluft](https://www.berg-luft.at/) the she produces modern pieces using traditional dirndl fabrics. The creations are designed for everyday wear and not tied to special events. In general, the young designer doesn’t think much of trends. “I just sew the things I like and would wear myself.” There’s one thing that Maria Huber and Eva-Maria Naderhirn both agree on though: neither is enamoured with the tulle aprons of the Oktoberfest dirndls or the tiger prints made in China. “People who wear that kind of dirndl have no regard for *Tracht* or tradition, they just see dirndls as clothing.” Dirndl bows ----------- Single, married, widowed? In the days before Facebook and Instagram the dirndl apron was a quick way to tell whether a woman was single or to determine the family’s financial status. But what do the bows mean? - Tied at the front right: married or in a relationship - Bow on the left-hand side: single! - Front middle: Can mean that the wearer is a child. May also signal that the wearer doesn’t want to reveal their relationship status. - An apron tied at the back shows that the wearer is widowed. © Open copyright © Photo: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Important detail: the mesh of the apron in the Dirndl Close copyright ![Important detail: the mesh of the apron in the Dirndl](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/e/1/csm_Heimatwerk-Dirndlmasche_OOE-Maybach_3s_d508971fe0.jpg "Photo: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Important detail: the mesh of the apron in the Dirndl") If every woman wore a dress like that, there would be no more ugliness! Vivienne Westwood Design icon Accessoires ----------- From fine cotton socks to high-quality horn buttons or a rustic pocketknife, traditional accessories can be used however the mood takes you. Nothing is off the cards – anything goes. “People should enjoy wearing traditional dress,” says dirndl expert, Maria Huber. Lederhosen ----------- So what are the trends out there for men? Genuine lederhosen are timeless and high-quality, and don’t follow the ebbs and flows of fashion. This gives men freedom to style them as they like – with trainers or a peppy shirt they can make a real impact. Traditional addresses in Upper Austria -------------------------------------- [ ![heimatwerk-em](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "© Copyright: Erna Miesenberger") Upper Austrian Heimatwerk ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/magazine/made-in-upperaustria/oesterreich-poi/detail/430021362/ooe-heimatwerk-trachten-tradition-brauchtum-gmbh-folk-costumes.html) © Open copyright © Copyright: Erna Miesenberger Close copyright [ ![Tostmann Trachten in Seewalchen am Attersee: The picture shows a young couple standing on a terrace and enjoying the view of a picturesque landscape with hills and vegetation. They are wearing casual, summery clothing and appear to be communicating with each other or going for a walk.](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "© Copyright: TVB Attersee-Attergau/Moritz Ablinger") Tostmann Trachten ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/magazine/made-in-upperaustria/oesterreich-poi/detail/104451/tostmann-trachten.html) © Open copyright © Copyright: TVB Attersee-Attergau/Moritz Ablinger Close copyright [ ![Leder](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "© Copyright: Daxner") Lederhosen Daxner ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/magazine/made-in-upperaustria/oesterreich-poi/detail/430002669/leather-shop-daxner.html) © Open copyright © Copyright: Daxner Close copyright [ ![Handblaudruckerei](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "© Copyright: Kurverband") Indigo dyeing at Blaudruckerei Wagner ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/magazine/made-in-upperaustria/oesterreich-veranstaltung/detail/430135173/indigo-dye-works-tour-at-handblaudruckerei-wagner.html) © Open copyright © Copyright: Kurverband Close copyright [ ![Production](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "© Copyright: Wolfgang Stadler") Bittner Hats ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/magazine/made-in-upperaustria/oesterreich-poi/detail/105295/bittner-hats-franz-bittner-gmbh-co-kg.html) © Open copyright © Copyright: Wolfgang Stadler Close copyright [ ![Unique spectacle frame made of buckhorn made by Goisern Optik](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "© Copyright: Goisern Optik, Bad Goisern am Hallstättersee") Staghorn glasses ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/magazine/made-in-upperaustria/oesterreich-poi/detail/103988/goisern-optik-optician.html) © Open copyright © Copyright: Goisern Optik, Bad Goisern am Hallstättersee Close copyright