A Look at Viking Clothes and Jewelry
Did you know that Vikings were not the only people to use the word ‘bloom’?
This was one of the standard forms of Viking clothes a tunic with a long skirt, elaborately embroidered and decorated with ribbon, fur, and flowers.
Eyewitnesses describe the Vikings in different ways: strong and muscular, tall and pale, blond and blue-eyed.
As they traveled through Europe, they adopted jewelry and clothing fashions from below the Rhine. These are all collected in what we now call ‘Viking style’.
Colorful Adornments
Viking clothing and jewelry were often highly decorated and made with intricate detail. Along with beautifully woven tunics and cloaks, Vikings adorned themselves with plenty of colorful adornments.
They also wore colorful caps, headdresses, and cloaks, sometimes even adorned with exotic fur. The vivid colors were produced with a variety of techniques, including glass-working and enameling.
Layering Fabrics
Vikings preferred thick, heavy fabrics to keep them warm in the cold winter months and layered their clothing accordingly.
This fashion served them well as one piece of fabric could be filled with gaps left by the other pieces and would insulate their bodies against the chill.
They typically wore a woolen or linen tunic or kirtle, a veil, and a sleeveless outer garment such as a double apron dress or cape.
Viking men and women wore Torques, twisted metal necklaces, elaborate brooches called “fibulae”, and belts which came in a variety of colors, sizes, and designs. Layering fabrics was essential in order to stay warm and stylish in the Viking age.
Symbolic Significance
The necklaces and armbands they wore bore symbols of the gods they worshiped and their ancestors. More commonly known jewels, such as brooches, were simple but served a functional purpose as they were used to fasten clothing.
Blacksmiths also crafted intricate designs out of precious metals like bronze, gold, and silver to decorate pointed shoes and clothing. For example, ornamental combs were made to hold back hair while striking a balance between fashion and function.
Craftsmanship in Design
It was created without any diagrams, plans, or models. Instead, each piece was crafted with precision and care to create unique pieces that fit the individual. They extensively used beads, fabric, fur, and leather to create their clothing and jewelry.
Embellishments were also often added, such as spiral patterns, knotwork, and metal accents. The jewelry was made mostly of metals such as bronze, silver, and occasionally gold. Silver was the most popular and was seen as very valuable.
Style From Scandinavia
The clothing was often made of wool and linen but also sometimes of silk or even snake and salamander skin. Viking jewelry for men was made of various materials including amber, glass, bronze, silver, and gold, and was usually fashioned into rings, brooches, and arm rings.
Viking-style jewelry often featured depictions of Norse gods and goddesses, animals, dragons, and spirals among other popular symbols. The intricate details in these pieces of jewelry helped reflect the strong Scandinavian cultural ties of the Viking peoples.
Read More About Viking Clothes
In conclusion, Viking clothing and jewelry were essential for their Viking lifestyle. Viking garments were designed to create an outstanding and eye-catching look.
With the help of intricate designs and pieces of jewelry, Vikings made their show of power more outstanding and noticeable. If you want to learn more about the sophistication of Viking clothes and jewelry, we recommend reading more about it.
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