Viking Clothing and Jewellery
Other Clothing Resources
Our Textiles Stall
Tablet Weaving
Leather Working
The Vikings came from lands that were cold for many months of the year, so they wore thick clothes to keep them warm.
The men wore leather ankle boots/shoes or, more rarely, knee boots, thick woolen trousers held up with a linen tie, usually threaded through the waistband and cross gartered with strips of leather or cloth. This gathered-in the trousers and protected them. Occasionally, as an alternative to cross-gartering they may have worn ‘winingas’ or puttees, more often associated with the Saxons. These afforded even more protection and sometimes would be worn without trousers by poorer men, the same protection being afforded to the lower legs.
Cloth was a valuable commodity in all Dark-age societies and every household made its own. The women and girls of the family were constantly spinning and weaving to keep everyone in the household clothed. Consequently it was a visible sign of wealth if one was able to sport clothes with voluminous sleeves or extra pleats in a tunic – especially if such additions were in another colour.
Men wore a long shirt or under-tunic with a toggle or a button at the neck made of bone or wood. This was followed by a thicker over-tunic of the same type and drawn in at the waist by a belt. The belt was often decorated by a buckle which was both functional and a display of wealth. At the other end of the belt was often a metal belt end, again decorated. On his belt a man would wear his leather pouch, often decorated with runic symbols or other designs, in which he kept his personal possessions, much like a wallet or purse today. He, along with his wife, would also carry an eating knife and, hanging in front would be his seax or working knife, which was a basic tool and in an emergency, the first weapon to hand. Sometimes they also wore a thick cloak pinned with a big brooch or cloak-pin. Many men also wore a hood, fur hat or leather cap on their heads for extra protection.
Women wore a long dress to the ankles with a double apron back and front which was pinned in position at the shoulders by a pair of brooches. This apron was only slightly shorter than the dress. They too wore a belt at the waist. The woman was the keeper of the keys to the household and these would be seen attached to either her belt or to her brooches. The women also wore shoes, which were often softer and lower round the ankles. Shoes were sometimes made of sealskin, the fur offering waterproof protection.
Unmarried Viking girls, in common with other Teutonic societies, wore their hair long, but when of a marriageable age had to have their heads covered, for fear of being called names. When they married, they plaited their hair and often tied it up with a headscarf. Both men and women took pride in their hair and washed and combed it, as evidenced by bone and wooden combs. Women too carried a pouch on their belts.
Displays of wealth were also seen in the jewellery worn by both men and
women, although in truth the men were the real peacocks! Often made of copper,
bronze, silver or even gold, the Vikings loved jewellery, particularly heavy
twisted bangles and neck torques. They would wear necklaces of amber and/or
coloured glass beads as well as pendants, many of which represented the
Gods. Often they would sew expensive braid – known as tablet weaving
– to the hems, collars and cuffs of their best tunics.
Children wore similar clothes to their parents, although they were plainer
and obviously smaller.
Vikings of Middle England interim Male Kit Guide
Textiles of the Osberg Ship - a useful resource about a range of textiles, weaves and dyes found at Osberg.
Viking Embroidery - A document on the archaeological evidence of embroidery during the Viking-age.
Viking Clothing - an interesting resource for clothes in the Viking Era using the Saga's as a reference.
Viking Answer Lady - for general articles on many aspects of Viking Clothing (and daily life in general).