What Does a Viking Wear? My first efforts at a Viking outfit
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In 2014 I joined a Viking reenactment group, and therefore needed a whole new wardrobe. I started with a basic underdress and apron dress. Both are of linen, because wool is usually too hot for Southern California, and I also did a Jorvik cap of linen.
The underdress is a basic style with side gores, and the apron dress is the fitted 10th century version, of the ‘flared tube’ variety. The Jorvik cap I drafted based on photos of the archaeological finds.
My ‘brooches’ are actually pendants from the fabric store, but they give the right look. I did have a string of beads, but, being inexperienced, I used embroidery thread to string them and they broke shortly after I put them on for the first time! I was also informed by my guild head that I needed a belt, and she lent me a band of faux silk for the day.
Over the next two years I gradually refined the outfit with a proper belt, securely strung beads and some embroidery. I started off with three strings of beads, but found that they were uncomfortable and impractical to wear, so I reduced it down to one string and added necklaces instead.
I now have two underdresses (one blue and one brown) and two apron dresses (one orange and one teal). I have dispensed with the Jorvik cap in favour of a scarf, or plaits. I’ve also learned to tablet weave and my first decent band is now the strap for my horn.
Keep an eye out for subsequent posts about my Viking hood, coat and gloves, and Valkyrie wings, as well as more on tablet weaving and embroidery.
