10 Creative Halloween Costumes You Can Make with a Dirndl

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Halloween is upon us! I love Halloween because I love dressing up and getting creative with costumes.

For me, DIY costumes are always more exciting and creative than the store-bought ones. With that in mind, I've got a bunch of unique, classy, and fun ways to wear your traditional dirndl for Halloween that aren't the "St. Pauli Girl."

Pull out your traditional German dirndls and let's get creative! Just a few DIY additions to your dirndl dress and you have a new costume ready for any party.

#1 Marionette

This fun costume can go in many directions and work with just about any traditional dirndl, a marionettist's stick, and some makeup! We literally just have the dowel rod stuck down the back of our dirndl dresses.

For this costume you'll need:

• Any dirndl dress
• Long sleeve t-shirt
• Dirndl petticoat
• Red, white, and black details (bows, ribbons, chokers, etc.)
• Marionettist's stick (dowel rod, cork sheets glued together to make a +, yarn, and paint)
• Nylons (colored with Sharpies to make joints)
• Makeup

#2 Red Riding Hood

This is a classic fairytale character that only needs a few extra pieces to bring it all together. Nicki used a vintage cape along with one of her custom black dirndl dresses to make this look.

For this costume you'll need:

• Little Black Dirndl (or any black dirndl)
• White dirndl blouse
• Red ribbon lacings and a red dirndl apron
• A red cape
• Basket

#3 Viking

Embrace your inner Norse-woman with this fun costume. While in this photo I made a quick vest using a German dirndl bodice pattern, you can easily use a dirndl vest.

For this costume you'll need:

• A dirndl vest
• Tattered or leather pants
• Long sleeve shirt (the wrinklier the better)
• Random leather straps, strings, and belts
• Layers of antique-looking jewelry
• Some dirt for your face (or brown/black makeup)

#4 Flight Attendant

While Sam made this dirndl specifically for her PanAm Stewardess costume, you can use any modern dirndl to be a Lufthansa flight attendant!

For this costume you'll need:

• A dirndl with an apron
• Serving tray or cart with beverages
• A pin with wings
• Some small snacks like nuts or cookies
• Stud earrings
• A neck scarf or hat

#5 Snow White (and the Apple or the Huntsman)

I suggested using the In Bloom Dirndl to create a Snow White look and I LOVE that Diane did exactly that. This costume idea can really go in a variety of ways, so take a look at your dirndl dresses and get creative!

For this costume you'll need:

• In Bloom Dirndl with yellow skirt — or any vintage German dirndl
• Blue off-the-shoulder blouse or white blouse
• A red apron to use as a cape — or white apron
• Huntsman prop — or an apple
• Dark hair

#6 Mime

While this photo is obviously not a traditional dress, you can easily use a black dirndl instead of the black pants and suspenders. Everything else — the shoes, the hat, the makeup, and the shirt — would be the same!

For this costume you'll need:

• Little Black Dirndl (or any black dirndl)
• Black and white striped long sleeve shirt
• A black beret
• White gloves
• Black shoes
• Makeup

Head to your closet, go through your favorite black dirndls, and put this costume together like THAT!

#7 Queen of Hearts

In this photo I'm wearing a contemporary style dirndl that I made specifically for this costume, but you can replicate this look with a plain black dirndl, red dirndl, or the In Bloom Dirndl. Adding details like cards and hearts, the hat, and the collar piece... bada-bing bada-boom!

For this costume you'll need:

• Little Black Dirndl, In Bloom Dirndl, or any black dirndl
• Black off-the-shoulder blouse
• Top hat or crown
• Ruffled neckpiece
• Dirndl petticoat
• Playing cards
• Makeup

#8 Vampire

A black dirndl like the Little Black Dirndl mixed with red or purple pieces, blouse, petticoat, a cape, makeup, teeth, and a bit of blood — and you are set for an epic evening!

For this costume you'll need:

• Little Black Dirndl (or any black dirndl)
• Red long bell sleeve blouse
• Red ribbon or chain lacing
• Black nylons
• Vampire teeth
• Optional baby bat
• Makeup

#9 Minnie Mouse

Petra sent me this photo and she looks so adorable in her black dirndl with red polka dots and white apron. She added her own Minnie Mouse details to pull the whole look together!

For this costume you'll need:

• Little Black Dirndl (or any black dirndl)
• White sweetheart blouse with puff sleeves
• Red ribbon lacings
• Red or white apron
• Minnie Mouse ears and gloves

#10 Witch

This classic costume doesn't take much, but it might just be the perfect way to give the kiddos a good scare on Halloween night!

For this costume you'll need:

• Little Black Dirndl (or any dark dirndl — Raven Dirndl pictured here)
• Black blouse or long sleeve shirt
• Witch's hat
• Broomstick
• Makeup

And lastly... you could always wear your more traditional dirndl and be Maria von Trapp from The Sound of Music. Traditional dirndls are great because there are so many vintage costumes you can recreate!

What do you think of these ideas? Are you wearing your German dirndl this year for Halloween in a unique and interesting way? Dirndls can be so versatile — share your ideas and pictures in the comments!

Originally published October 19, 2021
Updated September 15, 2025