A dirndl skirt generally describes a light circular-cut dress, gathered at the waist, that falls below the knee. The dirndl consists of a bodice and skirt or a pinafore dress, a low-cut blouse with short puff sleeves, full skirt, and apron. The winter style dirndl has heavy, warm skirts and aprons made of thick cotton, linen, velvet or ukraine dating reddit, and long sleeves.

The colors are usually rich and dark. The summer style is lighter and more revealing, has short sleeves, and is often made of lightweight cotton. Accessories may include a long apron tied round the waist, a waistcoat or a wool shawl. In many regions, especially the Ausseerland, vibrantly colored, hand-printed silk scarfs and silk aprons are worn. Women often wear necklaces, earrings and brooches made of silver, the antlers of deer or even animals’ teeth.

Different styles were worn in different regions, but they are now more universally generalized. The typical dirndl and folk costume varies from one region, or even village, to another. Folk costume has various details according to the place of origin and social status of the wearer. The modern dirndl is heavily stylized but clearly influenced by typical Bavarian costume. The dirndl originated as a more hardy form of the costume worn today: the uniform of Austrian domestic workers during the nineteenth century. Simple forms were also worn commonly by working women in plain colors or a simple check. The Austrian upper classes adopted the dirndl as high fashion in the 1870s, making it a highly fashionable and popular must-have item in the nation soon after.