UPCOMING EVENT - ANNUAL FALL SALE, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016   10 a.m.  -  4 p.m.  KITCHENER CONCORDIA CLUB, WEINSTUBE

So, here we are on the brink of oktoberfest, 2016 (already!) and we're busy, busy, busy here at "Tracht Central"!  Our new stock has starting arriving more regularly now - with those big boxes landing on our porch almost daily. We've already had a number of customers come by to purchase outfits to take with them to Munich oktoberfest, and it's always fun for us to see their excitement and newfound enthusiasm for all things Bavarian. 

We're very happy to add Marjo Leder & Tracht to our growing list of suppliers.  They are a wonderful family-owned company located in the picturesque town of Obernzell, on the banks of the Danube River.  We were so impressed by their products... as well as their warmth and friendliness when we stopped by their booth at the trade show, and again when we visited their office/warehouse a few days later.  Their dresses are lovely - elegant, understated, with lots of details and trim, many with lace aprons embellished with sequins.  They have a number of fun-and-frisky dresses, too.  

Marjo's top-quality lederhosen are right on-trend with random dying techniques, slight distressing of the leather, and subtle colour in the embroidery.  Many come with a matching belt rather than suspenders, which have fallen out of favour with modern, young Bavarians. Luckily for us, some of their leders still come with suspenders, which are still popular here in North America; though that may change once everyone realizes how comfortable and convenient it is to be "unharnessed" - so to speak. 

We were pleased to see that our longtime supplier, Hammerschmid, was offering a few dresses in lovely small floral prints, in some pretty colours...royal blue, fuchsia, burgundy,  which will be great for those of you who have expressed a desire to move away from traditional gingham check. Currently there are about nine different styles/colourways of our "standard" cotton dresses in stock, with three more still to arrive. We've also brought in some lovely formal dresses, with velvet or brocade bodices and beautifully patterned aprons.  Of course, we've also got some one-of-a-kind (to us, anyway!) in the house, and arriving shortly.  

Speaking of aprons...we've got some fabulous new stock in both cotton and poly silk brocade.  As always, European cotton goods are of outstanding quality - and these aprons are no exception.  High thread count, they are beautifully gathered and drape nicely down the front of a full-length dress.  A great way to give a new look to any dress without breaking the bank.  The new brocade aprons are stunning, and we have a nice selection of colours and patterns currently in stock.  Gives your basic dirndl a great dressy look.

By popular demand, we now have fabric in the store.  I decided to start out slowly with some traditional checkered cotton, a neutral linen/poly blend,  as well as some great woven jaquard cottons that are perfect for dirndl bodices, mieders, aprons, or men's vests.  Top quality stoff!  I usually come back with a few yards of fabric that I pick up from the remnants basket at my favourite little shop in one of my favourite Bavarian towns - Bad Tolz!   We also have on order some apron fabric, that comes as a pre-measured "panel" in a border print brocade, with each panel making one complete apron, either long or short.  Keep checking the store, as it should be here soon.

While we're gearing up for oktoberfest, Mother Nature is doing a fine job of reminding us that Summer is far from over!  Seems there is no escaping it - blistering heat and humidity, drought, fires and floods - there has been no shortage of challenges this year in every part of the world.

I hope that what remains of this summer will be a safe and happy time for all of you!