Germanic clothing
Germanic clothing is one of the earliest traditional costume traditions in Central Europe: sturdy tunics made of wool and linen, practical trousers and flowing robes, designed for life in the forest, the village and the military camp. Whether you’re putting together your first outfit for a medieval market or, as an experienced re-enactor, looking for archaeologically informed gear — here you’ll find over 200 items that authentically capture this style.
What did the Germanic peoples wear? A look at historical foundations
Our most important sources on Germanic clothing come from two areas: Roman written sources such as Tacitus’ *Germania* and Caesar’s *Commentaries on the Gallic War* describe the clothing habits of the Germanic peoples from an outside perspective. Archaeology complements this picture with remarkably well-preserved bog finds — foremost among them the Thorsberger Moor in Schleswig-Holstein, where textiles, shoes and trousers from the Iron Age and the Migration Period have been preserved.
Germanic men predominantly wore a knee-length tunic made of wool or linen, held in place at the waist by a leather strap or belt. These were worn with trousers — either short, loose-fitting breeches or longer, tighter-fitting styles such as the so-called Thorsberg trousers, named after the site where they were found. These tight trousers with attached foot flaps are considered one of the best-known surviving garments of Germanic origin. Calf wraps made of wool or leather finished off the legwear at the bottom.
Germanic women dressed in long robes, usually with a linen undergarment beneath. Fibulae — robe fasteners made of bronze or iron — held the garment together and served as jewellery at the same time. A belt with pendants or small everyday objects was also typical. Tacitus reports that women often wore the same basic fabrics as men, but that the robes were cut longer and more flowing.
The Germanic tunic: the centrepiece of the outfit
The tunic is the central garment of any Germanic outfit — for both men and women. Its cut is extremely simple and therefore timeless: T-shaped, with a round or slightly oval neckline, either short-sleeved or with long, narrow sleeves. This cut can be made from just a few straight panels of fabric, making it historically plausible and accessible to crafters.
In our range, you’ll find, for example, the Aegir short-sleeved tunic made from heavy cotton fabric — a versatile piece that can easily be combined with a belt, trousers and leg wraps. The Albrecht medieval tunic with wine-red cotton trim demonstrates how a simple trim around the neckline and sleeves can significantly enhance the appearance — a typical design element attested archaeologically through selvedges and textile remnants. For re-enactors focusing on natural fibres, the Viking tunic made from 100% wool is a logical choice.
The Viking tunic & medieval tunic category offers a wide selection of styles and materials for various eras and contexts of use.
Overview: Garments for men and women
Men
Short- and long-sleeved tunics, Viking trousers and breeches, Thorsberg trousers, leg wraps and capes — the basic men’s wardrobe is clearly structured and easy to mix and match.
Women
Long strappy dresses, linen petticoats, outer garments and belts form the core repertoire of female Germanic attire. Viking dresses for women offer a good starting point here.
Styles
The range covers a broad period — from early Iron Age basic styles through Migration Period cuts to pieces from the early Middle Ages bordering on the Viking Age.
Comparison of materials: wool, linen and cotton
| Material | Suitability | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Wool | Historical | Keeps you warm even when wet, moisture-regulating, best documented archaeologically — ideal for serious re-enactment |
| Linen | Historical | Lightweight, breathable, historically documented for undergarments and summer textiles; becomes softer with washing |
| Cotton | LARP / Market | Most commonly used material in the range — easy to care for, comfortable to wear, machine washable; not historically documented, but widely used for market and LARP |
Our own brand, Vehi Mercatus, consistently focuses on natural fibres — exclusively cotton, linen and wool, no synthetics. The fabrics are manufactured in weaving mills to our own specifications; trimmings are not purchased as mass-produced goods, but are made to our own patterns. This also applies to the Germanic garments from our own brand — anyone who values synthetic-free materials will find this clearly indicated in the range.
Which garments are suitable for whom? Beginners to re-enactment
Cotton tunics such as the short-sleeved Aegir tunic look great, are easy to care for and ideal for your first visit to a medieval market or a weekend at a camp. No big budget required — a tunic, a pair of trousers and a simple belt are enough for a convincing basic look.
More detailed workmanship, braided trims and historically inspired cuts for regular use at markets and in re-enactment groups. The Albrecht tunic with braided trim is a typical example of this segment.
Wool fabrics, archaeologically informed cuts and meticulous craftsmanship for active re-enactors. The Viking tunic made from 100% wool (approx. €67) or the Thorsberg Fenris trousers (approx. €42) fall into this category.
Authentic vs. LARP-suitable: What goes with what?
- Historically documented materials: wool and linen preferred
- Archaeological sites as a reference (Thorsberger Moor, Damendorf)
- Careful tailoring based on traditional basic patterns
- Brooches instead of zips, leather straps instead of elastic
- Longer durability with proper care
- Focus on freedom of movement and durability
- Cotton and easy-care materials are well suited
- Visual impact more important than archaeological accuracy
- More affordable entry-level price, easier to replace individual parts
- Many tunics and dresses work for both contexts
Good to know: Care and durability of your costume
How long a garment lasts depends heavily on proper care. Wool garments should always be washed at a maximum of 30°C on the wool cycle or by hand — hot water and spinning cause wool to shrink and felt. Dry flat, not hung, so that the garment retains its shape. Linen garments benefit from the fact that the fabric becomes softer with repeated washing; a cool wash at 30°C is sufficient. Linen can crease easily — this is normal for historical garments and not a sign of poor quality.
Cotton tunics are the easiest to care for: machine washable at 40°C, and more resilient to frequent washing. For coloured garments, it is advisable to wash them separately on the first wash to prevent colour bleeding. Leather accessories such as Germanic belts or Germanic shoes should be treated regularly with leather grease — this keeps the material supple and prevents cracks. Anyone wishing to care for their leather properly can find further information on the Vehi-Mercatus blog.
The complete Germanic outfit: what else is needed?
A tunic alone does not make a complete outfit. The overall Germanic look includes several accessories that are important both functionally and visually.
Belts and straps are indispensable — they keep the tunic in shape, provide attachment points for pouches and knives, and define the silhouette. Simple leather straps without buckles are historically attested, as are elaborately studded belts with metal ornamentation. Shoes are an often underestimated element: Germanic footwear in the form of simple leather shoes or lace-up boots decisively completes the overall look. The transition between tunic and shoe should be connected by calf wraps — for both aesthetic and practical reasons.
Bags and pouches were worn on the belt, as Germanic clothing did not feature sewn-in pockets. Germanic bags made of leather or fabric are therefore a functional element of any outfit. Fibulae for fastening the garment, as well as bronze or iron arm rings, form part of the typical jewellery ensemble — they are archaeologically attested by countless grave finds. For historical re-enactment camps and display battles, Germanic swords, saxes and Germanic knives are added as weapons.
Whether you’re planning your first visit to a medieval market or, as an experienced re-enactor, looking to complete your costume — browse through our range and find the tunic, dress or complete outfit that suits your needs.
Frequently asked questions
Germanic men usually wore a knee-length tunic made of wool or linen, combined with trousers — either loose-fitting breeches or tighter styles such as the Thorsberg trousers. Leg wraps and simple leather shoes completed the outfit. Women wore long robes, often over a linen undergarment, held in place by brooches and a belt.
The Germanic tunic is a basic T-shaped garment with a round neckline and short or long sleeves. For men, it reached down to the knees and was worn with a leather belt or strap. For women, the tunic was longer and could be embellished with braided trimmings at the neckline and sleeves. Wool and linen were the historically attested materials.
In reenactment, historical accuracy is paramount: natural materials such as wool and linen, archaeologically attested cuts and authentic accessories such as fibulae. For LARP and medieval markets, durability, freedom of movement and ease of care are more important — cotton tunics are a practical and more affordable choice here. Many items in the range work well for both contexts.
The core of any Germanic outfit consists of a tunic, trousers and a belt. These are complemented by leg wraps and matching leather shoes. For a complete look, we also recommend a belt pouch or bag, as well as a brooch to fasten the outfit. This basic set can be put together for around €60–90.
Wool garments should be washed at a maximum of 30°C on the wool cycle or by hand — hot water causes wool to shrink. Dry flat; do not tumble dry. Linen items can be machine-washed at 30°C and become softer with frequent washing. Cotton tunics are the easiest to care for and can be machine-washed at up to 40°C. Treat leather accessories regularly with leather grease.