The cover image shows a group of friends and family wearing a variety of Oktoberfest shirts.

6 Oktoberfest Shirt Ideas to Enjoy with Friends and Family

Written by Winnie Nyokabi

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Reading time for 4 min

December holidays are upon us again, and the party starts early through Oktoberfest celebrations. Yes, you heard it right. All beer lovers and followers of Bavarian culture will have their events between September and October 2024. Part of the festivities includes classical outfits and excellent attire for all genders.

Worry less if you're new to the culture; the following article covers its origin and the best Oktoberfest shirt ideas to try. We’ll also review unique designs and how you can DIY your own shirts.

That said, read on to discover the beauty and fashion coming with the great Oktoberfest. Let's get into it!

Brief Overview of Oktoberfest Origin

If you missed your history class on Bavarians, they are a group of the German community with a rich and distinct history. This includes the Dirndl and Lederhosen traditional clothing or their high values as a community. True to that, Bavarians are known to be self-confident, proud, and cheerful people.

Therefore, Lederhosen and Dirndl outfits can help you achieve these traits and enjoy the great tradition. Buckle up as we look at the top Bavarian-inspired Oktoberfest shirt ideas.

6 Shirt Ideas on Oktoberfest

Vintage lovers gather to discover what to wear to enjoy German culture. Anyone globally can experiment with the following ideas and incorporate their cultures to make it fun and stylish.

Here are various shirt ideas to try and enjoy the Oktoberfest festivities:

1. Classic White Shirt with a Touch of Brown

Starting us off is a white shirt with brown highlights, primarily suitable for men who want a casual, official look. This style is perfect when worn with lederhosen shorts or simple old-school baggy pants.

The brown highlights are normally on the collar, sleeve edges, pocket area, or around the button lining. It helps dilute the ‘shouting’ white color. You can get this masterpiece from your local cloth stores, but you might have to do prior research for the specific designs. Start with stores like Amazon or eBay.

This image shows a man that wears a classic white shirt with a touch brown.
Image source: Oktoberfest wear

2. White Shirt with a Shade of Pink

If you don't prefer the brown color, try a shade of pink around/ inside the sleeves, collar, or pockets. You'll achieve a nonchalant look, a definite head-turner in crowds.

Due to the pink shade, the Oktoberfest shirt idea is suitable for both men and ladies. Perhaps you can try matching the top wear with your partner during Oktoberfest.

This image shows a man that wears a white shirt withe a shared of pink.
Image Source: Oktoberfest wear

3. Checked Shirts

Like cowboys in the U.S., Bavarians are proud of their checked shirts, and you can be part of the festivities with one. If you're unfamiliar with the concept, checked shirts have specific triangular/square patterns. Oktoberfest/Bavarian checked shirts have an astounding color and pattern distinction.

A simple pick is selecting a fully checked shirt, preferably in red or blue, or if you're looking for a casual look. Alternatively, go for the 2-tone White with design, which has a unique checkered style. Also, through its collar and shoulder area, it has the Oktober aesthetic.

The shirts come in diverse colors for more styles. A red option with white or black stripes can help achieve an exotic or romantic vibe. Meanwhile, a blue checkered type is more formal and suitable for middle-aged parties.

This image shows a man that wears a check shirt.
Image source: Lightintebox

4. Combine a Checked Shirt Plus a Plain T-Shirt

Perhaps you want to hit the bar for some beers with friends on a cold night in Oktoberfest, Adding a t-shirt can help curb the freezing breeze and maintain your Bavarian look. Here are ways to go about it:

  • Classical look : You can combine a traditional plain T-shirt with a checked shirt. These t-shirts are similar to farm clothing and offer excellent protection from the wind. You can unbutton your shirt for a nice casual look.

  • Modern or Urban Look: Modern plain t-shirts worn with a checked shirt can help men achieve a classy look. Add lederhosen pants to complete the Bavarian outlook.

5. DIY a Dirndl Top Wear

Yes, the Dirndl is a dress, but you can create a mock-up of its shirt or blouse and join the gang for the Oktoberfest celebrations. For instance, various fashion companies have excellent strapless shirts, which also help you get a sexy look. To style it up, get your long-forgotten baggy skirt.

Also, some old-school shirts for women can help you achieve the Dirndl look. You can get some tips from early 1900s country clothing.

If you knit, this is your chance to try different DIY options, like styling your white official work shirt. Start by adding sheer fabrics on its sleeves to achieve a puffy look, and also add the same on the collars. It's not the perfect look, but it's definitely a good start. For more inspiration, go to Pinterest or Pixabay (search Oktoberfest on the respective sites).

This picture shows the front and back of the dirndl top wear.
Image source: lightinthebox

6. Print Oktoberfest Art on Plain T-Shirts

You're free to try printouts, but don't wear them to an official Baevraian bar (you might be thrown out). If you are just joining campus mates or enjoying the activity personally, here are some great DIY solutions for you:

This image shows a man and a woman who wear Oktoberfest printed plain T-shirts.
Images Sources: Etsy

‘Cheers to the Beer’ Art

You can print two 1ltr jugs filled with beer through screen printing or heat paper transfer methods. You can download such images from Freepik or Getty Images. For customized options, format the downloaded images via Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. For instance, change the color to black and white to get a vintage vintage.

Try Oktoberfest Quotes

Fortunately, this idea lets you use sarcasm or humor to come up with the best phrases. Also, you can write multiple quotes on one single t-shirt via screen printing. Here are various quote examples:

"Beer: It's What Oktoberfest is All About!"

"Keep Calm and Drink Bier"

"Oktoberfest: Lederhosen, Laughter, and Lager"

"Eat. Drink. Repeat!"

"May Your Steins Always Be Full"

"Wurst Behavior at Oktoberfest"

"Beer Now, Work Later"

"Good Times, Great Friends, Best Beer!"

Pictures Celebrating the Bavarian Culture

Another great example is printing previous Oktoberfest images on a t-shirt. You can get the images online or retrieve personal celebration pics. The practice can be yearly to create individual or group profiles on Oktoberfest festivities. Imagine adding a new member to the shirts.