Dirndl and Coco | Summer Suit Sets with Vests
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2026-08-07
In midsummer, thanks to its famous annual music festival, Salzburg becomes the global capital of opera and classical music.
This year is no exception. In Salzburg, we can experience performances by the world's finest conductors, soloists, and orchestras—including a particularly significant role by our own Asmik Grigorian in the festival's opening production of Carmen.
„Carmen of immense magnetism“—that was how the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung praised Asmik Grigorian's performance.
Such glowing acclaim is not uncommon during the Salzburg Festival, yet each tribute reaffirms the extraordinary artistic caliber of the event.
Unfolding across the entire Baroque Old Town ("Rome of the North"), the festival acts as a magnetic pole not only for world-class performers, but also for an enthusiastic international audience seeking to experience music in this exceptional setting.
Thus, albeit unintentionally, the festival—held continuously since 1922—also contributed significantly to popularizing the traditional Dirndl (pronounced Durn-dul) dress.
As the festival grew, a tradition began taking shape around the 1930s where visiting guests dressed in traditional local attire when attending concerts in Salzburg.
A frequently cited reason why fashionable ladies eagerly embraced the Dirndl bodice trend was that the garment, particularly when paired with a full gathered skirt, conferred a remarkably festive and flattering aesthetic.
Shorter than traditional Lithuanian waistcoats, the Dirndl bodice structures the figure, defining and visually lengthening the waistline. „When you think you can’t get any air, it’s right“, local Dirndl experts like to say. For many, it was a thoroughly acceptable compromise for elegance.
Austrians achieved true mastery in bodice tailoring—perhaps partly because the garment emerged here very early on, centuries before it gained widespread adoption in Lithuania.
Between 1450 and 1600, a transformation in women's attire swept Western and Central Europe. Shapeless tunics gave way to structured, form-fitting garments, and Austria stood among the first regions where women adopted this new bodice fashion.
Following a path seen in many European countries, by the late 19th century the Dirndl and other traditional garments had shifted into folk heritage costume rather than everyday wear. It was only in the early 20th century that they re-entered mainstream fashion.
One of the most pivotal catalysts for this revival was the Wallach brothers' clothing firm, launched in the exact same era as the Salzburg Festival.
Among Wallach's key innovations was a fresh approach to textiles. While traditional Dirndl bodices were often crafted from heavy, solid-colored milled wool (known as Loden) or thick linen, Wallach introduced lighter, more varied, and vibrant fabrics adorned with original hand-printed patterns.
The Wallach brothers were merely among the first in a long line of fashion visionaries (among whom Karl Lagerfeld is notably worth singling out) who recognized the enduring potential of the Dirndl. Thanks to them, Dirndls and tailored women's waistcoats continue to secure their place in contemporary wardrobes.
In this newsletter, we have curated three suit sets featuring waistcoats. As a reminder, pieces can be purchased together as sets or separately.
All Suit Sets by Lithuanian Designers
Pleats and Seams
This 100% linen suit set consists of a midi skirt and a classic, tailored, unlined waistcoat.The front pleat and back pockets on the skirt, alongside side-shaping seams on the waistcoat, lend the set a structured silhouette and refined character—subtle construction details that accentuate the female form with polished poise.
THREE IDEAS: Summer Gems for Autumn Transition
Summer sales are in full swing.Here are three SALE discoveries that, while perfect for summer, transition seamlessly into autumn.
- Sand-colored bomber jacket in 100% water-repellent cotton
- Black linen blazer in a classic English cut with a subtle oversized fit
- Rich brown knitted set featuring a skirt and polo top
Classic Black Confidence
This suit set offers remarkable comfort while remaining perfectly tailored for formal occasions.The fitted black waistcoat establishes a structured silhouette, accented by functional yet decorative front zippers.
Straight-leg trousers feature stitched front creases that heighten the elegant, clean line of the ensemble.
Harmony of Nuances
Crafted from medium-weight 100% softened linen, this suit set presents a harmonious synthesis of retro-inspired waistcoat tailoring and modern wide-leg trousers.Featuring a delicate Peter Pan collar, the waistcoat avoids overly rigid waist suppression in favor of a relaxed silhouette that offers broad styling versatility.
