Viking clothing
Viking clothing was far more than mere protection against the Nordic climate – it was a visible sign of status, skill and affiliation. Anyone looking to buy authentic Viking attire today will find over 200 items at Vehi Mercatus: from a simple cotton tunic for your first medieval market to a hand-embroidered woollen tunic for ambitious re-enactors.
What did the Vikings wear? The basics of historical Viking clothing
Three materials formed the foundation of all Viking clothing: wool, linen and leather. Wool was the most important fabric of the Viking Age – warm, water-repellent and readily available in Scandinavia. Linen was used primarily for underwear, undergarments and summer textiles. The Northmen crafted leather into belts, bags and shoes.
Men wore a tunic over their trousers, which was either plain or elaborately decorated depending on their social status. Women dressed in layers: an under-tunic made of linen or wool, over which they wore the characteristic strapless dress (also known as a hangerok), fastened at the shoulders with brooches. This was complemented by functional additions such as calf wraps and leggings, as well as a leather belt to which tools and pouches were attached.
The colours of Viking clothing were produced using plant-based and mineral dyes: blue from woad, red from madder, yellow from woad. Bright colours were not a luxury, but an accessible means of displaying wealth and good taste – those who could afford expensive dyes would display them prominently.
An overview of the most important garments: what makes up a Viking outfit?
Viking attire for men
The core of the male outfit: short-sleeved or long-sleeved tunic, loose-fitting trousers or tighter-fitting trousers, leggings, optionally an over-tunic. Belt to hold everything together and attach a pouch and knife.
Viking attire for women
Undertunic (e.g. Lagertha-style) as a base, with the strappy dress (hangerok) worn over it, fastened at the shoulders with brooches. Optionally, a Haithabu-style overdress for colder days.
For everyone: cape & accessories
Wool cloak or coat for protection against wind and weather. Viking-style leather shoes, headwear such as hoods or scarves, as well as brooches, bracelets and necklaces as status symbols.
The complete Viking outfit: combining clothing with the right accessories
A tunic or a strapless dress alone does not make a convincing Viking outfit. Only when combined with the right accessories does it create a harmonious overall look. Viking belts and Viking belt pouches were practical everyday companions – without them, the attire was incomplete.
Viking brooches served not only as decoration but had a clear function: they held the strapless dress at the shoulders and secured the cloak. The more elaborate the brooch, the more it said about the wearer. Complemented by Viking bracelets, Viking necklaces and pendants, as well as Viking rings, an outfit is created that looks historically authentic and makes a convincing impression at markets and in LARP.
The final element is the footwear: Viking leather shoes complete the outfit from the feet up. Those wishing to further enhance their portrayal will find all the relevant related categories at Vehi Mercatus – from weapons to headgear.
Viking attire for men: tunics, trousers and complete outfits
The tunic is the centrepiece of every male Viking outfit. The range includes short-sleeved and long-sleeved versions, simple designs for beginners as well as pieces with embroidery and appliqués for a detailed portrayal. Entry-level cotton models start at around €25, whilst wool versions with more intricate workmanship are in the mid-price range.
The tunic is complemented by Viking trousers and breeches – ranging from loose-fitting harem trousers to a tighter-fitting style for greater mobility. Leggings such as the Brandolf series in cotton (from approx. €25) are recommended as an addition; these have been documented as an integral part of men’s Viking clothing since the 11th century. Together with calf wraps, they create a historically accurate undergarment. Those looking specifically for these items will find the full selection under Viking tunics and shirts, as well as in the Viking clothing for men overview.
Viking clothing for women: strapless dress, outer dress and under-tunic
Female Viking attire followed a clear layering system. The base layer is the under-tunic – for example, the Lagertha made from 100% cotton with short sleeves and generous side slits (from approx. €29). Over this comes the strap dress (Hangerok): the Jodis in wool in Bordeaux (approx. €42) offers a more authentic option, whilst the Frida in uncombed cotton in sea blue or blue (approx. €25) provides an affordable and easy-care entry-level choice.
For colder events or a more detailed portrayal, a Haithabu-style over-dress is recommended, based on archaeological finds from Haithabu. Colours available include blue, burgundy, natural, green and black – allowing the outfit to be tailored to personal preferences. An overview of all styles can be found in the categories ‘Viking Dresses for Women’ and ‘Early Medieval Viking Clothing for Women’.
Viking clothing by budget: entry-level, mid-range and premium quality
Cotton strappy dresses, simple tunics and leggings for your first medieval markets or as a starter kit for LARP. Easy to care for, available in many colours and ideal for finding your own style.
Better workmanship, more detail, some with embroidery and appliqués. Brands such as Battle Merchant and Leonardo Carbone offer solid quality for regular use at markets and in LARP.
Wool fabrics, intricate embroidery and historically accurate cuts – such as those from Burgschneider. For ambitious re-enactors who value authentic materials and durable craftsmanship. If you’re planning for the long term, it’s better to invest in quality once and for all.
Materials used in Viking clothing: wool, linen and their modern equivalents
| Material | Character | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Wool | Historical | Tunics, strappy dresses, coats – warm, moisture-resistant, authentic |
| Linen | Historical | Undergarments, underwear, summer fabrics – light and breathable |
| Leather | Historical | Belts, bags, shoes – sturdy and durable |
| 100% cotton | LARP / Beginners | Tunics, strappy dresses, undershirts – easy-care, affordable, washable |
Historically, wool and linen dominated – cotton was virtually unknown in Northern Europe during the Viking Age. In today’s range, however, cotton has a firm place: with over 43 items made from 100% cotton, it offers an accessible entry point before investing in more expensive woollen garments. Our own brand, Vehi Mercatus, deliberately uses only natural fibres – no polyester, no synthetic fibres. The fabrics are manufactured in weaving mills to our own specifications, and trims and appliqués are also produced according to our own designs.
Whether you’re putting together your first Viking outfit or want to complete an existing re-enactment outfit – browse through over 200 items of Viking clothing at Vehi Mercatus and find the perfect piece for your next appearance at the medieval market or at a LARP event.
Frequently asked questions
A complete Viking outfit consists of a tunic and trousers for men, or an undershirt and a strappy dress for women, plus a belt, leather shoes and accessories such as brooches and pouches. Leg wraps or leggings complement the undergarments. Depending on the occasion, a woollen cloak, headwear and jewellery such as armbands or brooches may also be added.
For a authentic Viking outfit, start with a tunic made of wool or cotton and matching trousers or breeches. Add a leather belt, leggings or calf wraps, and leather shoes. Brooches, pouches and simple jewellery round off the outfit in a historically convincing way. For beginners, cotton garments are perfectly adequate – those who prefer a more authentic look should opt for wool and historically documented styles.
In the community, it is referred to as Viking attire or Viking clothing. Individual items have historical names: the women’s strap dress is called a hangerok, whilst the tunic is sometimes also referred to as a shirt. The Haithabu-style over-dress takes its name from archaeological finds from the trading town of Haithabu in Schleswig-Holstein.
The Vikings mainly dressed in wool, linen and leather. Wool was the most common material – it kept them warm even when damp and dried quickly. Linen was used for undergarments and lighter clothing in summer. They used leather to make belts, bags and shoes. Cotton was hardly used in Northern Europe during the Viking Age.
For LARP, freedom of movement and durability are paramount – cotton garments are a practical and affordable choice here. For re-enactment, the rule is: the more historically accurate the material, the more convincing the portrayal. Wool garments with historically documented cuts (e.g. Haithabu finds) and brooches for fastening are more in line with current research. Both applications are catered for in the Vehi Mercatus range.