About Wandern Trachten
VAHN-dern TRAKH-ten
Born from a love of alpine tradition and a search for the perfect fit. What started as handcrafting custom dirndls for our own Oktoberfest trips naturally evolved into Wandern Trachten - driven by a shared passion for authentic craftsmanship.
Our Vision
To bridge timeless Bavarian heritage and modern apparel design by crafting high-quality, beautifully tailored dirndls. We create authentic Trachten that honors traditional Alpine roots while offering an exceptional fit, so you can move, celebrate, and carry on the tradition for generations.
Our Story
Our journey is the blend of two distinct artistic worlds: Eric’s connection to German music and culture, and Eliza’s deep background in performance and traditional sewing.
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After years of performing at Disney World, where Eric played traditional Alpine music like the trumpet, alphorn, and cowbells, our love for Bavarian culture led us to make annual trips to Munich’s Oktoberfest. Growing up sewing alongside her mother and grandmothers, Eliza naturally decided to craft her own dirndls for their travels. What started as custom garments for our own trips quickly turned heads and sparked a realization: authentic, beautifully tailored Trachten should be accessible to everyone who loves to celebrate.
The Hearts Behind the Heritage
Eliza
A former professional ballet dancer and performer at Disney World and Universal, Eliza brings a dancer's eye for movement, form, and precision to garment design. Taught to sew by her mother and grandmothers, she blends lifelong crafting heritage with technical patterning to ensure every dirndl offers a flawless fit. Originally from Connecticut and having lived in Florida for 15 years, she’s currently learning German (and relying heavily on Eric’s translating skills in the meantime!).
Life beyond the Fest
Married for 12 years, we recently traded the sunshine of Florida for the mountains of Colorado, where we’ve lived for the past three years. When we aren't designing Trachten or traveling back to Germany, you can find us fully embracing mountain life - road biking, hiking, skiing, and exploring the outdoors together.
Eric
A classical trumpet player and professional musician at Disney World, Eric’s musical background sparked his deep tie to Alpine traditions. Fluent in German, he serves as our resident language expert and cultural guide during our annual trips to Munich. His passion for Bavarian history and community keeps the authentic spirit of the Fest at the core of Wandern Trachten.
