I Spent a Week Living in Viking Clothes! (A Capsule Wardrobe for War)

[@rachelboersma-plug9482]

What an incredibly civilised camping and clothes-storage setup! Lovely to see so many things we've seen you working on get a spin IRL at last. Can't drink Lapsang Souchong. I used to live in a house with a tin roof, a wood stove with a badly designed chimney cap, and a rainwater tank. Our water tasted and smelled so strongly of wood-smoke that all tea tasted like Lapsang and we had to shower in a cloud of Lapsang-scented steam. My dad remembers my great-grandmother wearing a Dutch version of temple jewellery well into the 1950s.

[@OpusElenae]

My partner thinks lapsang tastes like a barn. It’s not for everyone but I love it!

[@rebeccacuthbertson1271]

And the Tornado makes an appearance! Ahh that intro made me smile so much. And then the end giggles! Thanks for joining us Torndado! Totally get the underdress changes for future years. Thank you for taking us with you!

[@OpusElenae]

They were so pleased to record themselves lol

[@katrinaokeefe5618]

I really love how this worked out and you've made me take a good look at my wardrobe as well. I need to let a few more pieces go I suspect. Would you mind doing a video on how your do your hair wraps? As a fellow long-hair, I need more ideas.

[@nanettebromley8843]

I'm interested in how to do the hair wraps too. I'm growing my hair and its at that pain in the neck stage and I want to keep it out of my way. Plus it would be handy for historical events as my hair is currently burgundy.

[@OpusElenae]

I absolutely can!

[@FennecTheRabbit]

I'm also curious about the hair wraps. My hair is short though, but it is also PURPLE. Like VERY VERY PURPLE.

[@IzBilly]

I would also love a hairwrap video! Since there arent a lot of evidence for womens headwear(what they where or if they existed in any extention) during the vikingage I’d love to know how you think about sources for your headwear during events :D

[@Chibihugs]

I am glad the capsule wardrobe work out so well. The cold weather and warm weather outfit were the product of great forethought. I love your black,gray and teal outfit. So pretty. And your tortoise brooches are really neat.

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you! Raymond’s Quiet Press for the win!

[@EmilyAmeliaHK]

It's reallygreat to see your capsule wardrobe in action! I've developed one without a careful of planning for long events, but I'm trying to add new pieces with more mindfulness. I was also thrilled to hear someone singing my song in your clip! ~ Emer nic Aidan, OL Ealdormere

[@OpusElenae]

It’s a great way to maximize versatility!

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

One of the nice things about Ohio is that once you hang your clothes the morning dew will knock the wrinkles out. (Of course, the camp-damp is one of the drawbacks, too!)

[@OpusElenae]

It was funny how the rainy morning dawned with Zero wrinkles in anything…

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

@@OpusElenae There you go! I used to be a vender at a fest. Hang 'em and wait1

[@canucknancy4257]

So glad you had a great time. I really like the pink ombre and black dress combo, but I understand the too-wide neckline thing. Tornado is wonderful. They have a marvelously contagious laugh. Thanks for sharing.

[@OpusElenae]

Oh gosh, they have ALWAYS had the best laugh.

[@jwlundgren]

I am SCA now involved with a Viking re enactor. this was very helpful. I never had much garb to begin with but am going to try to use my generic medieval garb as a crossover.

[@anska7475]

Lapsang is the tea I serve when a visitor does the „Oh don‘t mind me, I‘ll drink everything“ routine when asked which tea they‘d like to drink. *whistles innocently* It‘s at the very least a good conversation starter and sometimes there‘s someone who really enjoys it. Capsule Wardrobes are amazing, you need so few items as long as the ones you have go well together. Thank you for sharing your experience as well as a peek into this fabulous tent. It looks so comfortable.

[@OpusElenae]

My partner is always like “IT TASTES LIKE BURNING HAY NO THANK YOU”

[@amywetzel9223]

Of course, the extra undertunics are always useful for when you have incredibly wet weather, too.

[@OpusElenae]

Absolutely!

[@jackiejames4551]

It was nice to see your Tornado, they have grown so much since their last apperance. All of the wardrobe pieces looked really good. My favorite was the parade outfit. I really love the gold apron. I'm glad you had a good time at the event, and I hope you will consider taking us along on future events.

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you! I have ideas for another few vlog style event videos too.

[@macstabby_j]

Very cool video- nice to see how all the pieces work together. Also enjoyed the moppet videobomb- the giggles just killed me.

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you! They have always had an infectious laugh

[@theoldaccountthatiusedtous6767]

That ombre one is so pretty!

[@OpusElenae]

I really need to try more ombré dyeing; it’s so cool

[@GrainneDhu]

I really enjoyed your rundown of your wardrobe and how it worked for you. Recreating historically! It's a thing! Your wardrobe was about what a fairly wealthy woman would have had, which fits right in with the SCA's premise of each person being minor nobility or at least connected to minor nobility. I love how you show in a real life event that it wasn't as restrictive as many modern people might imagine.

[@OpusElenae]

Yup! I’m a Laurel so I try to dress for that station, or the equivalent. Thank you!

[@GrainneDhu]

@@OpusElenae you did it in style, double meaning intended.

[@cocobutter3175]

Came for the Viking wardrobe, stayed for the a lapsang souchong. So rare to see two of my favorite things to nerd out about in the same video--fancy single source tea and historically accurate clothing.

[@OpusElenae]

This one isn’t single source; it’s a blend, ,but it’s still delicious!

[@cocobutter3175]

@@OpusElenae My favorite blend I've ever made is 10% Lapsang Souchong, 50% Masala Chai, and 40% Vanilla flavored Ceylon. The smokiness blends so wonderfully with the cinnamon and clove in a chai blend. The vanilla just smooths it out, bridges the two, and turns it into something spicy yet relaxing I can drink everyday. But if you don't mind a really bold tea, just a little Lapsang in a Chai blend is nice if you decide to try some custom tea mixing. Could even add a little vanilla creamer--but you didn't hear that blasphemy from me.

[@lenabreijer1311]

That worked well for you! Back in the 70s I used to drink something called Russian caravan. It was from a very hippy tea room I used to frequent and it was a black tea that was incredibly smoky. I never found it anywhere else.

[@OpusElenae]

Russian caravan is a category of tea; usually a blend of lapsang and a couple others. Tabletop Teas has a couple (Toph and Old Toby) that are pretty close, and Harney and Sons has Russian Country.

[@margaretkaraba8161]

If you're interested in getting some check out some UK tea houses/online shops online (e.g. Fortnum and Masons, Whittard, The Tea People) there's no lack of it in the UK.

[@IDoDeclareify]

Ah this was so charming! I loved your raven outfit!!

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you!

[@elainebye9090]

Very interesting to see all the combinations and accessories. 😀 I loved this video of you wearing them all.

[@OpusElenae]

I feel like I didn’t even scratch the surface of all the outfit combinations!

[@juliabreckner2759]

The capsule wardrobe looks so good! and comfy! and versatile! The pavilion you lived in for the week looks super neat!! Hope your War was great! Ghaaa, I miss War. My first War (and the only one I've been able to go to) was barely three weeks before initial COVID lock downs.

[@OpusElenae]

I was INCREDIBLY comfy!

[@druidriley3163]

So it was a set up for the entire group? I was otherwise thinking, "Now _that's_ glamping!"

[@sosharuark7289]

I am a few bits behind. I didn't know smocks were needed under under dresses. Thought it was just an underdress then the apron. I have a lot to make and contemplate. Thank you!

[@OpusElenae]

You certainly CAN do it that way, and in our modern age of washing machines, it's not even a huge deal. But historically, smocks were worn, and I have found that my under dresses can go longer between washings when I also wear them. I don't always, honestly, because Texas is so hot that one more layer (even linen) is Too Much. But it was nice for the capsule wardrobe because I knew I was going to be re-wearing dresses.

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Thank you for the video (Water again for me)

[@mikiejr24]

Loved watching this! I missed going to Gulf Wars this year and was so bummed, but I love seeing how much fun others had! I've been working on my capsule wardrobe for wars (14th C. French), and I liked hearing your experience and what things to keep in mind. Next year I'm making it to Gulf Wars for sure! Cheers from Atlantia!

[@OpusElenae]

Next year I want to bring a 14th c capsule wardrobe! We should have a croissant meetup!

[@FlybyStardancer]

It was neat seeing your capsule wardrobe!

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you!

[@FennecTheRabbit]

Yay new video! The capsule wardrobe was so super cool. The last dress you wore, I didn't quite catch the name of the person you based it off of. Can I have that info because that looks like a delightful project for when it gets boiling hot here.

[@OpusElenae]

Huldremose Woman! It’s soooo comfy.

[@FennecTheRabbit]

@@OpusElenae THANK YOU! -proceeds to google-

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Good Afternoon Courtney. I hear the caution that the wide neckline doesn't go well with straps. I'm going to rewatch & pay more attention to necklines. I'm thinking about the one year outfit sew along on discord. I will probably choose an apron with straps, so I will need a shift that is compatible with that. Probably a headscarf of some sort, perhaps the middle one from your other capsule wardrobe. PS Had more coffee with milk, have been ignoring water again 🙄

[@OpusElenae]

Yeah wide necklines on shifts are good to keep them from being seen

[@MrsBifflechips]

Yes! Spread the Lapsang Souchong!

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you! I’m always happy to share a lovely cuppa.

[@ceruleanskies001]

Love how all of this came together.

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you!

[@michellecornum5856]

I really love this wardrobe set!

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you!

[@Cryptid_Crow]

Aah, it's all so beautiful! So glad it worked out well for you! :) Also, it always brings me joy how you refer to things as masculine or feminine, vs insisting on cisnormativity!

[@OpusElenae]

Too many of My People are not-cis to hurt them with that. It’s so easy to be respectful. 🖤🏳️‍⚧️

[@Cryptid_Crow]

@@OpusElenae So much of the historical sewing community seems to think that it is Too Hard. 😒

[@deanofthequeer]

I know my fellow LARPers love Lapsang too!

[@OpusElenae]

It just takes me right back to the campfires

[@kat2923]

I love how cohesive the wardrobe was. Do you have any more info on the Finnish inspired chain drape?

[@OpusElenae]

Here is an example from Latvia (I really should call them Baltic chains; they ravaged from southern Finland, around the Baltic Sea down into Latvia): commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baltic_Necklace_(BM).JPG#/media/File:Baltic_Necklace_(BM).JPG

[@tiryaclearsong421]

In addition to the above, there's a Finnish channel called With My Hands Dream that made some similar draped chains for an Iron Age costume. She also made some interesting metalwork for her apron if you like the metal details.

[@AwkwardestNarwhal]

What a wonderful set of clothes! I'm currently working on a capsule set of clothes that will hopefully be Pennsic ready! A question for you - What are you referring to when you say "washed silk?" Is this another name for raw silk (nubby, matte, more earthy looking silk) or something like charmeuse washed with sand or stones?

[@OpusElenae]

Referring to this particular dress (and another pink-dyed one from the same bolt), this is a smooth-ish dupioni silk that was literally washed in my machine when I dyed it (it was the same color as my skin when I bought it). It’s not shiny any more and has a bit of texture and is softer than silk that still has the sizing in it.

[@AwkwardestNarwhal]

@@OpusElenae Thank you! I want to add a little silk to my garb wardrobe and am exploring what weave and "finish" (for lack of a better term) would be a good fit.

[@jimpickens4067]

Nice kit, though for accuracy I would avoid the use of black clothing for Viking era Scandinavia as stable black dye was not known to be in use due to lack of mordant..... The nearest to black dye was a dark brown

[@OpusElenae]

Both of those dresses were created with very specific goals in mind, and historical accuracy was not the top priority for either project. But thank you.

[@cadileigh9948]

thats a ginormous capsule. More clothes than most viking women would own over 10 - 20 years. How very rich you must be !

[@OpusElenae]

Correct.

[@kitpage3548]

What the slide buckles on your garters.

[@OpusElenae]

I have two O-rings sewn to one end and I loop the garters through both rings and then back through one and then I can slide them closed. I’ll put a picture and video up on Instagram for you!

[@blktauna]

Its not a camping even w/o squalls/snow/hail ;-D

[@OpusElenae]

Last time I went, there was a LITERAL TORNADO three miles from the site.

[@blktauna]

@@OpusElenae lol yep, thats nearing Pennsic proportions! I hope no one was hurt.

[@druidriley3163]

Anyone else think tying garters tight to keep up stocking must have led to circulatory problems later in life?

[@OpusElenae]

It’s entirely possible? I do find that I don’t have to tie my garters at all tightly to get them to stay up, and I have ridiculously slim calves. But I’m not sure what repeated snug-but-not-tight constriction would do over a lifetime of wear.

[@druidriley3163]

@@OpusElenae - That's unusual for slim calves. I have curvy calves and I have trouble keeping modern socks up.