Life in Bavaria can hardly be imagined without traditional costume. For many people, dirndl and the leather shorts known as lederhose – alongside mountains, brass band music and beer, that is – are absolutely typical of Bavaria. And that's quite true! Even today, traditional costume is still a clear embodiment of that Bavarian awareness of life. By wearing it, people represent their home region and identify with it. But with conspicuous colours and unusual materials, young designers are giving traditional costume a fresh angle and thus interpreting old traditions in a new way. For example Bavaria insider Barbara Stadler, who designs modern dirndl outfits in her alehouse boutique in Anzing, Upper Bavaria. Or Michael Thalhammer in Sauerlach, who tattoos traditional motifs on lederhosen. "Traditional, yet absolutely casual", he says.

Those who feel like taking things a little more slowly should go to Regensburg. Germany's largest mediaeval city combines historical flair with a shopping stroll. Many small shops nestle in these mediaeval lanes and half-timbered houses, and they are often eye-catchers from the outside too. A genuine institution is 'Hutkönig' on the Krauterermarkt. It is said that no customer has ever come out of this establishment without having bought the right headgear.

In the Bavarian outlets, the joy of shopping is almost limitless. Renowned well out beyond the limits of the town, for example, is Ingolstadt Village, where your customers will have no difficulty in spending a whole day. Those seeking sports apparel in the Franconian town of Herzogenaurach will find what they are looking for. Companies such as Reebok, Nike, Adidas and Puma, for example, organise warehouse sales here. And incidentally, Adidas and Puma are prime examples of impassioned Bavarian entrepreneurship: they were founded in Herzogenaurach in 1948 and 1949 respectively, and are among the best known labels of all today.