The term „Dirndl“ can be traced back to the Bavarian/Austrian diminutive for „Dirn“, naming a joung girl in the southern part of Germany, or better was named, as this term is only used in a few regions daily. It was usual terming a maidservant working at a homstead as a „Dirn“ in the South of Germany.

The clothing of these gilrls was named „Dirndlgewand“ genannt. In the second half of the 19. century it came into vogue as a summer dress for the wealthier urban girls (for sure in a fancier style to defer from the classical Dirndl of the rural population. As the term “Dirndl“ was rarely used and therefor hardly known, the the clothings name has been reduced to „Dirndl“ in the course of time.

Nowadays „Dirndl“ means a festive feminine clothing in the German speaking part, being worn mainly at the fairs in Southern Germany. It was an exception to meet a Bavarienne at the Oktoberfest wearing a Dirndl in the 1970. Nowadays it is standard. More and more designers have been attending to the Dirndl since the turn of the century.

The bow of the skirting of the Dirndl has a special symbolic meaning, most people not being awared of. If you wear the bow on the left side, means, you are still up for grabs, if you wear it on the right side, you are allied (but men should not be sure of this, as more and more tourists wear a Dirndl mainly at the Oktoberfest, not being aware of its original meanings, less than the local girls and women).

There was no need to defer, as being unmarried was bracketed with being a virgin in the olden times. This has changed, wherefor a front bow is associated with being a virgin. A bow on the back means being a widow.