For years now I’ve been trying to round-up the troops to enjoy Oktoberfest in the K-Dub (Kitchener, Waterloo) – the 2nd largest Oktoberfest celebration next to Munich, Germany! Sadly, I’ve failed every year. :(
This year however, a few fun friends and I were determined to dig out our lederhosen and dirndls for Toronto’s 3rd annual authentic Oktoberfest party – at Ontario Place! Inspired by traditions started in Munich, Germany over 200 years ago, Toronto Oktoberfest brings a taste of Munich to the City as it captures the essence of authentic food, drink and merriment.
Naturally – we HAD to dress the part!
A few of my table mates have been painstakingly sewing themselves authentic-looking dirndls to wear to this event. I had my heart set on wearing an old Halloween costume I had in my closet of a German Beer Maid. Figured if this outfit won me 1st prize at my Office’s costume party – it was deserving enough to make a reappearance for this event. (woot! woot!)
Last year’s winning Office Costume Party outfit (the blonde braided wig was on loan) ;)
Buuuuut then as Toronto Oktoberfest continued updating their FB page as the big weekend arrived …. it seems that their waitress staff were all going to be wearing my EXACT outfit!!! Le sigh… :(
Needless to say, I was heartbroken. We bought our tickets back in July specifically for the dirndl wearing. Sooooooo I was DETERMINED to wear this get-up no matter what!
I figured my fancy buttons and a floral crown (Claire’s Accessories) would do the trick ;)
A few added button accessories … to look different from the waitstaff :P
Floral crown from Claire’s Accessories (oh-so difficult to find in Fall)
There where fabulous hair inspiration in this article —- but y’all know how much I hate brushing my hair, let alone doing it. In the end, I went for a simple double ponytail look. Nailed it! :P
German Beer Girl costume from Candy Apple Costume (online)
I was told that there was great importance and rules placed on how a dame ties the bow of her apron:
Rightside = married/taken. Back = virgin. Leftside = single n’ ready to mingle. As you can see, mine was tied accordingly ;)
Click here for deets on that.
Me with Liz of The Vintage Inn and Jacquie of TVS
I’m not typically a beer drinking kinda gal …. but this festival allowed you to taste a bunch of different ones, so I did. You can almost pinpoint the exact moment when the beers started to kick in by the excessive laughing and blurry-ness of each snap….:)
As per usual, the Toronto Vintage Society ladies brought their A-game, all decked out … in proper German dirndl attire! ps: I am NOT double-fisting my drinks. I’m a lady! I was kindly holding a pint for the photographer taking this pic …geez! :)
And then …there was DANCING!!!
And other beer-induced shenanigans
Me and my empty Beer Stein with the WINNER OF BEST DRESSED, Joy!!! She sewed this entire outfit herself, including the adorable hat!!! Mad skillz…with a ‘z’!
Before vs. After ….. an evening of Oktoberfest!
Turns out we closed down the tent!!! And stumbled our way out of the Ontario Place parking lot around 1am …. we were halfway to Brampton on foot (or so it felt like we were) before a kind cabbie picked us up and dropped us home safely. ***Hiccup***
Overall, a fantastic time! Can’t wait for next year’s Oktoberfest!
Would you be up to going if PPMeow! organized a table-o-fun? Let me know in the comment section and let’s start planning some beer + costume + blog-reader fun!!!
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