Figure 1.--There were no dedicated clothing styles for Viking children. Boys wore the same basic styles that their fathers wore. The Vikings relied upon wool for their clothing. Most families kept sheep and the women and girls spun wool thread and wove it in the home. Brightly colored clothes were popular and the Vikings cultivated a number of vegrtable dyes. Illustrator: Saber Alexander McConnell.

Viking men wore tunics and trousers. Women wore long dresses, with a kind of extended apron to protect the dress. The Vikings relied upon wool for their clothing and tio a lesser extent linnen. Most families kept sheep and the women and girls spun wool thread and wove it in the home. Cotton was not yet available in Europe. Most people given the climate dressed to keep warm. The clothing was similar to that worn England, Scotland and Wales at this time as well as the Germans and Celts earlier. Remember that the Vikings were the northern Germanic tribes. Their clothing seems similar to thst wirn by ancient Germans. And they were ethnically and culturally linked to Anglo-Saxon peoples who conquered most of Britain (5th-6th centuries). There were variations regionally as well as by social class. Viking clothing was very utilitarian. And as they lived in northerly lattitudes, warmth was very important. This meant not only heavy clothes, but also snug fitting clothing. Vikings wore both linnen and wool garments, but wool was the principal material used. Animal skins and furs were also available. One source suggests, "Many textiles in the Viking Age were made of worsted wool in twill patterns. These wools were carefully woven, supple, attractively textured, and often dyed in bright colors." [Priest-Dorman] Brightly colored clothes were popular and the Vikings cultivated a number of vegetable dyes. Most Viking clothes were made by the women of the household. And households had their own weaving looms. Viking clothes because they were made in the home, tended to be very simple. The simplest fabric to produce were squares. Thus shirt-like garments might be two squares sewn together abnd worn as pullovers. Necklines and armholes were made by not completing the seams. Viking men and boys wore throusers. There is evidence of both knee-length, baggy trousers as well as narrow, full-length more sungly fitted trousers. [Priest-Dorman] There is evidence that trousers were worn by Vikings for centuries befpre they burst on the European scene in the 9th century. Winter clothing was wool garments supllements with animal hides and fur. The booty from wealthier parts of Europe might include fine gaments, even expensive fabrics like silks and brocades. These were be worn by Viking aristocrats and wealthy merchants. There are several problems with obtaining information on Viking clothing. Textiles deteriorate and thus unlike pottery and tools, little clothing has survived. This is a special problem with men's clothing as Viking warriors with their clothing were cremated. We know of no specific clothing for Viking children. The boys were dressed like adult men and the girls like women.

Garments

Viking men wore tunics and trousers. Vikings dressed in simple tunics which was a standard medieval garment. These garments were common throughout medievla Euroope, in part because they were simple for the women to weave. The trousers were, however, Germanic and not common in much of Europe. There is evidence of both knee-length, baggy trousers as well as narrow, full-length more sungly fitted trousers. [Priest-Dorman] There is evidence that trousers were worn by Vikings for centuries befpre they burst on the European scene in the 9th century. Women wore long dresses, with a kind of extended apron to protect the dress. Winter clothing was wool garments supllements such as cloaks with animal hides and fur. The booty from wealthier parts of Europe might include fine gaments, even expensive fabrics like silks and brocades. These were be worn by Viking aristocrats and wealthy merchants. There are several problems with obtaining information on Viking clothing. Textiles deteriorate and thus unlike pottery and tools, little clothing has survived. This is a special problem with men's clothing as Viking warriors with their clothing were cremated. We know of no specific clothing for Viking children. The boys were dressed like adult men and the girls like women.

Material

The Vikings relied upon wool for their clothing and to a lesser exrent linnen. Most families kept sheep. Cotton was not yet available in Europe. Footwear was made in leather.

Clothing Technology

The women and girls spun wool thread and wove it in the home. One source suggests, "Many textiles in the Viking Age were made of worsted wool in twill patterns. These wools were carefully woven, supple, attractively textured, and often dyed in bright colors." [Priest-Dorman] Brightly colored clothes were popular and the Vikings cultivated a number of vegetable dyes. Most Viking clothes were made by the women of the household. And households had their own weaving looms. Viking clothes because they were made in the home, tended to be very simple. The simplest fabric to produce were squares. Thus shirt-like garments might be two squares sewn together abnd worn as pullovers. Necklines and armholes were made by not completing the seams. Viking men and boys wore throusers.

Utility

Most people given the climate dressed to keep warm. This was especially true of Scandinavians. Viking clothing was very utilitarian. And as they lived in northerly lattitudes, warmth was very important. This meant not only heavy clothes, but also snug fitting clothing. Vikings wore both linnen and wool garments, but wool was the principal material used. Animal skins and furs were also available.

Styles

The clothing was similar to that worn England, Scotland and Wales at this time as well as the Germans and Celts earlier. Remember that the Vikings were the northern Germanic tribes. Their clothing seems similar to that worn by ancient Germans. And they were ethnically and culturally linked to Anglo-Saxon peoples who conquered most of Britain (5th-6th centuries). There were variations regionally as well as by social class.

Decoration

A commopn decoratuive item was a metal broach, done in copper, silver, and gold.

Sources

Priest-Dorman, Carolyn. "An archaeological guide to Viking men's clothing, (1993). The author has include an especially useful list of sources.