Viking Capsule Wardrobe: Strategically Building Your Historical Closet

[@lenabreijer1311]

It is interesting to see the shift in the viking clothing. When I started in the late 70s the apron dress was 2 pieces of fabric hung from the shoulders with straps and pinned to the dress with big brooches. The sides just hung open and flapped in the breeze. It was a pain because when you bent over to do something like stir a pot the apron would droop down into the fire or food. So we belted them to work and purists would say that is wrong but we preferred not to go up in flame. Then we tried lacing the sides but that wasn't right either. Someone tried using 2 large panels that overlapped front an back. I guess now it is a short dress with straps. Though to me the 2 overlapping panels made sense for winter. We have to keep in mind the 7 months of winter too when costuming. The new finds melting out of the glaciers give me a bit of hope of finding lost clothing.

[@OpusElenae]

It’s totally interesting to see the interpretations change over time, and I do think that has something to do with the experimental archeology that reenactors do!

[@joakescarnival8303]

I would love this as a series! Especially if you are tossing out any gender and do a blend of 'male' and 'female' garb

[@OpusElenae]

I have two of them already (see the playlist I made), but I have plans for Imperial Roman and Tudor eventually. It would definitely be fun to make a blend of masc and femme clothing. Welp, I guess I'm making myself some more Viking clothes!

[@joakescarnival8303]

@@OpusElenae I watch all your videos! Especially the viking ones. I look forward to more. And I'm glad i could suggest something useful ^_^ as a nonbinary/genderqueer bean i love that you aknowledge that clothing is not gendered. And am always looking for how to blend the masc and fem to remove that culturally perceived line as much as possible in my wardrobe. Mostly just cuz I like bits of everything!

[@nicolegemmill6154]

As for a blend of genders, we do have archeological examples from the Viking world. I know of a burial of someone with Klinefelter's Syndrome, Germanic iron age I think, clearly loved by their community. Buried with farmer's tools, spinning gear, and a turtle brooch dress. There's the Oseburg ship burial of a very wealthy, very respected magician. They had a hormonal condition that would've masculinized their appearance later in life. Their stuff is covered in art that uses shape shifting motifs. There's also the Birka warrior, if you're looking for warrior androgyny.

[@joakescarnival8303]

@@nicolegemmill6154 those sound amazing! I would love to see some of that shape-shifting motif, I'll try and look into it for sure! And while my original post had more to do with wanting to see recreations done blending the clothes, the historical references of respected non-binary concepts is always wanted and appreciated! Thank you!

[@loonylucy2575]

Thanks!

[@OpusElenae]

thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@canucknancy4257]

Such a well done description of a basic viking wardrobe. It makes sense to have pieces that you can mix and match to make different looks. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you so much for showing up! 💜

[@HosCreates]

I personally as a tomboy I like some poofy harem like Rus pants and tunic shirts belted. Im suprised you didnt talk about nalbound socks as they were very popular before the invention of knitting.

[@Rozewolf]

Lovely. I have enjoyed your wardrobe series. As my persona in the SCA is 950's Varangian, this is my wardrobe. :) I've made a number of the haerbraker breeches for my husband and for others. He finds them most useful. :) Trying to interpret garb from carvings, extant finds, and jewelry is a real challenge. There are days we all stretch that Creative bit in the SCA. :)

[@OpusElenae]

Right? When all you have is preserved fragments, highly stylized images, and vague (and often hyperbolic) primary descriptions, what wise can you do?

[@Rozewolf]

@@OpusElenae All you can do is "punt". ie, do the best you can. What I find interesting with my 'era' is the appearance of the Rus clothing that became the folkloric costumes, the Sarafan. It looks like it is the great-grandchild of the apron dress in so many ways. Meanwhile, we continue to take part in a huge experiential archaeological experiment.

[@rachelboersma-plug9482]

I started watching your channel at your Co-Covid capsule wardrobe video. Looking forward to this year's offering. Will be dipping in an out of CoSy all weekend as I attempt to finish my kids' Book Week costumes.

[@OpusElenae]

Happy one year croissant-a-versary!

[@Chibihugs]

@@OpusElenae Happy anniversary!

[@SnappyDragon]

How does Bran feel about his demotion from "production assistant" to "miscellaneous accessory"? 🤣

[@OpusElenae]

He was VERY CONCERNED that he got FaceTime in the video. “How will they get me treats if they DONT REMEMBER I EXIST”

[@laulutar]

@@OpusElenae I think that's a relevant concern on his part. Luckily he's so cute (from what we can see), so I doubt he's at any real risk of being forgotten, though 😁

[@chickenleg002]

Short sleeves on an overdress can be seen on the Ravenna mosaics. But they are on a feminine silhouette. I don’t make masculine style clothes, so it is harder for me to recall.

[@OpusElenae]

Thanks!

[@Cxizent]

Such a great idea for min/maxing a wardrobe, and it always strikes me how few extant examples of *anything* there are from this time period. I really do need to make one of those side-fasting cloaks, what a look!

[@OpusElenae]

You’d look so good in one!

[@LauraIngallsGunn]

I haven't yet dipped my toe into the magical waters of Viking costuming so I really love the idea of a capsule wardrobe. Thank you so much!

[@OpusElenae]

So much of it can be used for other, later medieval periods as well!

[@MiahGrace]

well, now I'm all blushy and flustered! lol you're welcome!

[@OpusElenae]

You have been working your ass off and deserve a little recognition!

[@a.p.raymond8288]

Love it! Excellent rundown that I will definitely be keeping in mind. Also the feminine shawl weirdly looks like a Turkish cotton bath towel I have, same color and striping and fringe. I caught PA Bran in one of the photos. I'm glad he wasn't left out.

[@OpusElenae]

It, uh, is actually a bath towel. But fringed diamond twill mayerial is definitely historically adequate.

[@rd6203]

💜💜💜 This is the video equivalent of a good set of foundation garments! Thank you!

[@autumn7143]

I love this!!! Thank you for diving in deeper. I see pictures, and hear about capsule wardrobes, but I honestly have never seen it practically done.

[@OpusElenae]

I’m glad i could be helpful!

[@lilykatmoon4508]

Oh wow! I’m in SE Texas! I made a kirtle out of a light weight wool that is comfortable enough in the low 80s, but I’m definitely going to focus on linen more in the future!

[@kitdubhran2968]

Have been looking forward to this for days!

[@StitchinAddiction]

So I've never been interested in Viking historical clothing until I watched this video. I'm not sure how you convinced me it, but now I want to make my own Viking capsule wardrobe! Thank you!

[@OpusElenae]

MWA HA HA HA HA!

[@bonelace111]

Felt appropriate to be working on something that could be appropriate as a viking underdress while watching this. Thanks for yet another great and helpful video!

[@OpusElenae]

I loved seeing what you were working on in the chat yesterday!

[@bonelace111]

@@OpusElenae Ahh, thank you! I will be viking-bounding ready soon, I hope (I just washed the material for a very ahistorical apron dress I can wear on it's own as a sundress or layered up with that piece for practicality/the proper look)

[@Chibihugs]

This is so helpful and a great jumping off point to plan a viking look or two. I can feel the ideas bubbling up

[@OpusElenae]

I’m so glad to have inspired!

[@accessoryqueen1]

I would wear that coat anywhere! ❤️

[@OpusElenae]

It’s my late fall coat!

[@IDoDeclareify]

Loved this so much! Haha I’m always inspired to pull back out my garb to rework it!!

[@jwlundgren]

Very interesting. I am SCA and my new parnter is Viking. I am transitioning my wardrobe in that direction. In real life, I am also a peasant and have to add pieces slowly.

[@lesleyharris525]

Hi,thanks for giving the time for your cosy panels in UK time.see you at 7pm.💖

[@medievalcontent6193]

An absolutely wonderful video. Well presented and love the examples and information, everyone doing reenactment should favorite this on their medieval history lists. Well done.

[@OpusElenae]

Why thank you!

[@kzisnbkosplay3346]

Such a great way to plan making for events! I tend to pack a mix of periods, but maybe it would be better to pick a period for each event.

[@OpusElenae]

One of the reasons I like medieval is that a lot of these dresses can be accessorized in such a way as to be a reasonable attempt from 500-1500.

[@kzisnbkosplay3346]

@@OpusElenae So versatile, and yet so varied.

[@rachelboersma-plug9482]

@@OpusElenae The mighty gores & gussets tunic/dress will take you from the 600s to the 1800s (admittedly for the last few centuries it's strictly a feminine undergarment, but still). What other garment has stayed essentially the same for 1200 years or more? And they're still so practical. One of my kids pretty much lives in his.

[@lajoyous1568]

This was so informative. I really love the look of the apron dresses, although they are a bit early for my usual gatherings. I may be late on Sunday... there is a live and in person event scheduled in town for people who spin and or use drop spindles. I'm afraid that if it isn't well attended it will be the last of them.

[@OpusElenae]

I’m going to keep the panel up so don’t worry about missing it; you can still watch later even if not live. Fiber arts are important!

[@lajoyous1568]

@@OpusElenae Thank you 😁

[@laulutar]

As usual, this was very enjoyable and informative 👍😊

[@LisaJedi]

Wonderful!! Thanks so much!!!

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you too!

[@camib2864]

That was so awesome, thank you!

[@susanrobertson984]

Aaahhh CoSy is this weekend?? Well that changes everything. I thought it was next weekend somehow!!

[@OpusElenae]

It is! There’s still two more days of videos and panels though!

[@CathleendeOntiveros]

❤️ I am new here, and love all of your videos!!

[@bethchatham9024]

Thanks, good information!

[@Lady_Nilin]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you for watching it!

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

I really enjoyed this video. I find myself drawn to the Viking aesthetic. I'm thinking of doing some history bounding outfits that include an apron dress. Now I am thinking that a coat like yours would also be great to have.

[@OpusElenae]

It’s so comfortable!

[@sarahmichaud7700]

I’ve always heard it as “ puh TEEs” but that’s from when I lived in Newfoundland and Labrador. So god knows if it’s the right pronunciation.

[@OpusElenae]

It makes sense to me, I've just never heard it said out loud and didn't think to look it up first. Oops!

[@rachelboersma-plug9482]

Australians say puh-teez with both syllables equally stressed.

[@OpusElenae]

I love hearing all the different regional pronunciations!

[@riftlee]

There has to have been some sort of undergarment worn by those with uteruses, even if only sometimes. Clothing was so costly and precious, I can't imagine they would just free-bleed through their outer garments and not have some way of keeping a rag in place.

[@OpusElenae]

There are many theories about how periods were handled, from sea sponge tampons to moss pads to diapered cloth aprons.

[@FennecTheRabbit]

This was very interesting. What about things like the Herjolfsnes garments? I have a couple books about that find and iirc (too lazy to get up and actually retrieve the books) there were some short sleeved garments in that find though I think those are very much tail end of the Viking age.

[@OpusElenae]

That is true, there are a couple of shorter sleeved gowns at Herjolfsnes. I've seen dates for those garments everywhere from 1200 to 1430 (even Medieval Garments Reconstructed says the garments are "800 years old") which would put them outside the range I outlined in the beginning. You could absolutely make a case for that style using those finds though; the dissemination of clothing styles was a lot slower then and it is today. Good catch!

[@juliebarrett943]

Sources for Viking boots/shoes?

[@OpusElenae]

These ones came from Boots by Bohemond!

[@nanimara2]

Did I get it right that if I, as a female would like to go for the apron look I should be wearing three dresses at the same time? Like one underdress like the white shorter one you showed first, than another long possibly colored one and then the apron dress on top? Or is it normally just two dresses with a long underdress no matter what colour and then the apron? (realisticly both options seem possible) but which of these would you consider more accurate? Pretty cool and informative video though :) I just found your channel and will definately keep watching. Greetings from Germany ;)

[@OpusElenae]

Croeso, welcome! It would be three layers: one smock, one long-sleeved dress, one apron dress.

[@nanimara2]

Nice thanks for your answer :) now I can get my sewing journey started :D

[@OpusElenae]

@@nanimara2 I can’t wait to see it!

[@liadanducky]

Omg lol I never thought about it but it’s exactly like geranimals!

[@druidriley3163]

I've watched several Viking women attire videos, based on historical finds and I can find none that indicate that another short dress was worn under the underdress. Nor any indications that a structured coat was historical. Did I miss the references for evidence of these items of clothing?

[@OpusElenae]

There is potential evidence from grave 987 at Birka and a couple graves at Haibathu note different color linens (outer serk or undergarment debatable). Paired with manuscript evidence from contemporary insular and continental cultures, I personally hypothesize a linen undergarment to help keep outer clothing cleaner.

[@OpusElenae]

The coat is conjectural as well, but based on some evidence which you can see in the video on the making of that garment.

[@1Bibliotech]

Pocketses!

[@OpusElenae]

We’re getting so close! Only about 60 people to go!

[@LixiaWinter]

May you give a link to your friend channel, I didn't get his name correctly 🥺

[@OpusElenae]

It’s in the cards, but I’ll make sure it’s in the description: he’s Hrafn, his channel is The Raven’s Table.

[@LixiaWinter]

For some reason cards didn't work on my tablet, so thank you so so much for doing it🧡

[@OpusElenae]

No worries! I know some people don’t love cards anyway because they don’t want to click away in the middle of the video. He did say that his new video isn’t going up til tomorrow but he’s still got a bunch of games up there already.

[@ragnkja]

Women who were the mistress of their household would have worn a belt to hang their keys from, as the keys were a symbol of their status.

[@OpusElenae]

That is a point! I’ve seen lots of people say it was only the brooches that things were suspended from but that doesn’t track for places that didn’t wear apron dresses.

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

This is a great video. Very nicely done. To sate your curiosity, I am drinking water. Probably with a splash of gin (Home made vegetable juice before that)

[@OpusElenae]

Ooo yum. Have you heard of a red snapper? It’s like a Bloody Mary but with gin. They’re so good and your comment made me think of them.

[@bonelace111]

@@OpusElenae I had a moment of excitement for knowing what a red snapper is - then realised that's not what you were talking about. My version is a quite toothy but very tasty reef fish from Queensland, Australia.

[@OpusElenae]

@@bonelace111 I would like to have both of them at once! It sounds like a delicious meal.

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

@@OpusElenae I have not heard of that. I have, however, put a splash of gin in hot milk tea. It's very interesting. Especially Lapsang Soushong

[@josefinebrannlund7297]

👗

[@OpusElenae]

💜

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Hello again. Still working on water🙄

[@OpusElenae]

Keep it up!

[@charischannah]

Are you conjecturing what I'm conjecturing, Pinky?

[@OpusElenae]

HOW TO TAKE OVER THE KNOWN WORLD!