Viking Clothes and Jewelry: A Glimpse in the Past

The Vikings, known for their exploration, trading, and warrior culture, also paid considerable attention to their clothing and jewelry. Although archaeological finds of Viking garments are rare, they provide valuable insight into the fashion of the Viking Age, often supplemented by written sources and depictions on figures and tapestries. Viking clothing, like today's, varied by gender, age, and social status, with the wealthier members of society enjoying more elaborate attire.

Flax plant

Materials and Techniques

Viking clothing was primarily made from locally available materials like wool and flax, with women typically weaving the fabric. These durable, natural materials were perfect for the cold and often harsh climates of Scandinavia. Flax, a particularly important crop, was grown extensively for clothing production, with more than 20 kilograms needed to make just one tunic. The process from flax to fabric was labor-intensive, often requiring hundreds of hours to complete.

The wool was spun and woven into fabrics that were then sewn into tunics, dresses, cloaks, and other garments. Viking women were not only responsible for producing textiles but also for dyeing them. Plant-based dyes like woad for blue and madder for red were commonly used, though more vibrant colors were reserved for the wealthy.

Naturally dyed wool

Women's Clothing

A typical Viking woman’s outfit consisted of a strap dress worn over an undergarment or smock. The strap dress was a close-fitting garment that hung from the shoulders and was fastened at the front with large shell-shaped brooches. Between these brooches, women often wore strings of colorful beads made from amber, glass, or metal.

The undergarments differed slightly by region. Danish women typically wore plain linen smocks, while Swedish women favored pleated designs, indicating that even then, fashion trends varied across regions. Over their dresses, women would often wear cloaks fastened with a round or trilobe brooch. These cloaks, like the dresses, could be trimmed with fur or decorative borders.

Jewelry was an essential part of a Viking woman's attire, not just for decoration but also for function. Belts often held small leather purses for everyday items like needles or a strike-a-light, which was used to create sparks for fires. Women also wore leather shoes, similar in design to those worn by men.

A woman, with a typical apron dress and underdress, made from linen

Men's Clothing

The Viking man’s outfit typically consisted of a tunic, trousers, and a cloak. The tunic was similar to a long shirt that reached down to the knees. Cloaks, worn over one shoulder and fastened with a brooch, often indicated whether a man was right- or left-handed, as they would leave the sword arm free.

Men's trousers could vary in style but were typically fitted and gathered at the knees, possibly resembling modern-day plus-fours. To keep their legs warm, men would wear puttees—strips of cloth wound around the lower leg. Like women, men wore leather shoes or boots.

Belts were a crucial part of Viking men's attire since their clothes lacked pockets. A man’s belt might carry a knife, a comb, a small pouch for coins or gaming pieces, and, of course, a strike-a-light.

Viking gathering recreation

Viking Jewelry and Status

Jewelry played a significant role in Viking society, worn by both men and women across different social classes. Pieces were often made from a variety of materials including wood, glass, amber, bronze, silver, and gold. Common jewelry included arm rings, necklaces, and brooches, with some items serving both practical and decorative purposes. For instance, brooches were used to fasten cloaks and tunics.

The wealthier Vikings displayed their status through more elaborate and luxurious accessories, often imported from far-off lands. Items like silk garments and gold-thread embroidery came from places such as Byzantium, signifying a strong connection to foreign trade and cultural exchange. The Vikings would also wear pendants, such as Thor's hammers, as symbols of protection and faith.

Viking brooch, bronze

Viking Warriors' Attire

The attire of Viking warriors was largely practical, designed to provide protection in battle. Warriors often wore tunics, trousers, and cloaks similar to those of ordinary men, but their clothing might be supplemented by armor such as helmets and chainmail, when affordable. Weapons, typically made of iron, were expensive and not every Viking warrior was fully equipped with the ideal arsenal. A Viking warrior’s belt might carry his axe or sword, a small knife, and occasionally, silver coins for trading.

A recreation of a Viking fight during historical reenactment

Influence of Byzantine Fashion

In the Viking period, the upper classes were influenced by their interactions with other cultures, particularly the Byzantines. Silk was highly coveted and often used to display wealth and power. Vibrant colors like red and blue were particularly sought after and were sometimes found in the burials of prominent Vikings, such as the Mammen prince from Denmark. His clothes, lined with fur and embroidered with silk, were a sign of his high status and connections with foreign courts.

Dyeing silk

Viking Children’s Clothing

Children's clothing mirrored that of adults but was typically simpler. Young girls wore smocks, while boys wore tunics and trousers similar to their fathers. Even at a young age, children’s clothing reflected their family’s social status, and wealthier children might have worn garments made from finer materials and adorned with decorative elements.

Viking family

Viking clothes and jewelry reveal a great deal about their daily lives, social structures, and interactions with the wider world. From simple woolen garments to luxurious silk imported from Byzantium, Viking attire reflected both practicality and prestige. Through their clothing and jewelry, the Vikings not only protected themselves from the elements but also showcased their wealth, power, and status within society.