Could the Guardian Be More Miserable?

From the Guardian:

With preparations for this year's Oktoberfest under way and the Franconian medieval festival season in full swing, German traditionalists say a piece of their heritage is threatened by a fad for cheap, "sexy" dirndl-style dresses made in China.

The traditional German costume has its roots in Franconian and Bavarian culture and the three-piece outfit – usually consisting of a low-cut white blouse, a long skirt and an apron – can cost several hundred euros. When hand-sewn and properly tailored it will last for decades. Many southern Germans still keep either a pair of lederhosen or a dirndl in their cupboards for festivities and special occasions.

But traditional makers are concerned that a trend among the young for off-the-peg party dirndls is an affront to their heritage. "Young people aren't necessarily aware of tradition," Monika Bürks told the German dpa news agency at a dirndl and lederhosen fair this weekend in the Bavarian town of Greding.

Unlike her clients, who can pay up to €700 for a custom-fitted costume to be worn at weddings and family celebrations, Bürks said young girls "just want to look nice and sexy in their fantasy dirndls".

A dirndl and lederhosen fair? That reeks of re-enactment societies to me, and whatever the German equivalent of fart-smelling real ale bores is.

The whole point of a dirndl was that it was a cheap, practical peasant dress. Wikipedia helpfully points out that Dirndlgewand means "maid's dress". So, what these women are doing is getting a cheap maid's dress, probably something with a lower material cost, like this: