Viking Clothes

Viking clothes were generally thick and draped in nature for both men and women. Clothing of Scandinavia was meant to protect inhabitants from the harsh winter weather. Shoes and articles of clothing were made of leather and sheepskin. The men went off to wage war and seize booty while the women stayed behind and tended to house chores while raising the children. Both men and women wore their hair long and often braided and pleated the hair. Viking clothes for women included an under dress with an overlapping apron called a hangaroc with a decorative trim at the bottom. The hangaroc was fastened tight with a belt and came with an attached pouch for collecting things. The hangarac was tightened with brooches at each side of the shoulders with decorative beads connecting them. Women also wore headscarves to keep their hair out of the way while doing chores.

Men generally wore a simple leather tunic with an attached knife and pouch. Hair was long and pleated with the side of the hair being braided sometimes. If the beard was long enough that would be braided as well. Men wore tights with boots made of sheepskin. When travelling around Europe they would carry in the arsenal axes, spears and swords for main weaponry. Protective gear included chainmail, leather tunics, shields and helmets. Such an arsenal of deadly weaponry and deadly fighting prowess made Viking warriors feared throughout the rest of Europe. To the rest of Europe, they were called Northmen and towns were often helpless when a Viking fleet hit the shores ready for battle and attainment of booty.