Even though we offer a wide range of products, some items are true fan favorites. These items are often labeled as being Viking, or Medieval, or Renaissance, based on their history. This doesn’t mean that they can’t be used in different looks, though. In this blog we will show three different outfits all using the same fan favorite item, the Celtic tunic, short sleeves.
Look 1 - Viking
The most common look the Celtic tunic is used for is a Viking look. We don’t want to ignore this way of styling the tunic, so the first look will be a Viking.
As the goal of this blog is to show different ways to style the Celtic tunic, the tunic we used obviously is the Celtic tunic in its most popular colour, black. This tunic has brocade details around the neckline and sleeves, so it already isn’t too basic looking on its own.
Celtic tunic, short sleeves, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/celtic-tunic-short-sleeves-black.html
This tunic is available in multiple colours.
Layering was key for Vikings. They lived in colder climates, so they needed layers to keep warm. It was standard practice to wear an undertunic as a first layer. We used a neutral undertunic for this look.
Undertunic Lofar, half-long sleeves: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/undertunic-lofar-half-long-sleeves.html
For trousers we decided to go with a pair of linen trousers with wide legs. These trousers have a nice colour to style with the black tunic. The wide legged trousers are seen in various depictions from the time and would have been one of the often worn types of trousers.
Linen Viking Trousers Odin, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/linen-viking-trousers-odin-brown.html
Vikings wore leg wrappings, called winnigas, over their trouser legs. These wrappings helped to keep the lower leg warm and protected. They are also a great way to add an accent colour to your viking look.
Leg wrappings Ubbe, yellow: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/leg-wrappings-ubbe-yellow.html
These leg wrappings are available in different colours.
Our viking is wearing leather shoes that are ankle height. These boots are made after an original from the early middle ages and are believed to be commonly worn by Vikings. We picked the black version of these boots to match the tunic.
Viking shoes Jorvik with rubber sole, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/viking-shoes-jorvik-with-rubber-sole-black.html
A belt is a must have for any Viking look. Belts are practical items used to keep all kinds of items on you, like money, weapons and other items for daily use. Vikings were known to have beautiful metal work, which was also used on their belts. Especially by the Vikings of a higher status. We added a belt to this look with beautiful hardware as buckle and belt end.
Viking belt Borre style: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/viking-belt-borre-style.html
To dress up this look a bit more, we added a few different accessories to the belt. Our Viking carries a drinking horn on him, which is attached to the belt using a leather holder.
Drinking horn, several sizes: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/drinking-horn-several-sizes.html
Drinking horn holder Argast, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/drinking-horn-holder-argast-brown-m.html
On his belt, our Viking also wears a dagger, called a seax. These daggers were typically carried on the back, from where they could be easily drawn.
Viking seax with leather grip: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/viking-seax-with-leather-grip.html
Festival proof option:
LARP Scramaseax: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/larp-scramaseax.html
Vikings were great fighters so, of course, we did also have to give our Viking a sword. The handle of this sword is craftily wrapped in leather and has some simple engravings on the handle and crossguard. It’s not the most basic sword, but also not the most richly decorated.
Viking sword Godegisel, battle ready: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/viking-sword-godegisel-battle-ready.html
Festival proof option:
LARP sword Viking 95cm: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/larp-sword-viking-95-cm.html
Look 2 - Elven ranger
The second look we’ve made using the Celtic tunic is an elven ranger look. The key with using a Viking tunic for a fantasy look is using the right accessories. Accessories and props can change a look completely.
The starting point of this look is again the Celtic tunic in black. The brocade details on this tunic would actually look great in an elven look as well.
Celtic tunic, short sleeves, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/celtic-tunic-short-sleeves-black.html
This tunic is available in multiple colours.
Underneath the tunic we added an undertunic with long sleeves in an off-white colour. This lightens up the look even though the main tunic is black.
Linen Viking tunic Ragnar, natural: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/linen-viking-tunic-ragnar-natural.html
You can find many more tunics in our viking tunic category.
The trousers we used in this look have a more narrow leg. We felt like that would make more sense for an elven look than wide, poofy trousers. The trousers are in a brown colour to move the colour scheme to a more forest-y vibe.
Trousers Kergon, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/trousers-kergon-brown.html
More trousers can be found in our medieval trousers category.
Our elven ranger wears a sensible, yet good quality pair of suede boots. These boots are quite neutral in appearance, so they are usable for a wide variety of fantasy looks.
Suede boots Rolf, dark brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/suede-boots-rolf-dark-brown.html
Because most elven rangers are depicted as archers, we gave our elven ranger a pair of vambraces. These add another layer to the sleeve part of the look and add in more brown tones.
Vambraces Simon, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/vambraces-simon-brown.html
You can see our full offer of vambraces in the leather arm & leg armour category.
We decided to use a narrow belt which has beautiful engraved details. The elves are an elegant race of fantasy species, so such details will heighten the elvish feel.
Celtic belt Fionn, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/celtic-belt-fionn-brown.html
Cloaks just immediately scream “fantasy character”. By adding the right cloak to an outfit, you can add a touch of drama and fantasy with very little effort. We used a green cloak, which is not too dark or bright, for this look. Green is often used in elven ranger costumes. Elven rangers are usually wood elves, so they often wear clothing in greens and browns. The cloak also helps in making the total look not too dark.
Medieval cloak Terrowin, green: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/medieval-cloak-terrowin-green.html
Check out our fantasy clothing collection for more cloak options.
As already mentioned before, our elven ranger is an archer. The archetype for elven rangers is that they use longbows. Longbows have a longer range, so they are a perfect weapon for elves who have superior eyesight. Our elven ranger wears a leather quiver to carry his arrows on him.
Marksman hand-bow, 58” (147cm) dark brown 40 lbs: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/marksman-hand-bow-58-147-cm-dark-brown-40-lbs.html
Quiver Robin Hood, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/quiver-robin-hood-brown.html
You can find other options for a bow and quiver in our archery category.
Of course, the best way to show that a character is an elf is by wearing elven ears. The pointed ears are ingrained in the portrayal of elves, so you really cannot go without.
Elven ears wood elf: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/elven-ears-wood-elf.html
Look 3 - Dwarf
Our third look in this blog is a fantasy character just as well known as the elven ranger, the dwarf. Dwarfs and elves are basically opposites in terms of appearance, so it might seem strange that we can make both using the same tunic. But again, it’s all about the right combination of garments and accessories.
The tunic we’ve been using during this blog, the Celtic tunic in black, is very versatile, despite the fact that it’s not the most basic. The brocade details can add a feeling of elegance and richness when the rest of the outfit is styled to enhance that. They can also add to the powerful aura of a dwarven look.
Celtic tunic, short sleeves, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/celtic-tunic-short-sleeves-black.html
This tunic is available in multiple colours.
This dwarven look relies heavily on layering. Underneath the main tunic, we added an undertunic in a grey-blue colour. This colour scheme will immediately give a very different vibe than what we did for the elven look. It’s more cold and can be associated with mountains, rocks and steel.
Viking tunic linen Halvar, blue-grey: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/viking-tunic-linen-halvar-blue-grey.html
You can find many more tunics in our viking tunic category.
The trousers we’ve used are a woolen trouser with slightly wider legs. They have a herringbone weave in grey and black which will prevent this darker look from looking too flat. The woolen fabric also helps to create an interesting mix of textures as well as a heavier, warmer looking look.
Viking trousers herringbone motif Ivar, black-grey: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/viking-trousers-herringbone-motif-ivar-black-grey.html
We have more trousers available in our viking trousers category.
To continue with the layering, we gave our dwarf a grey kaftan. This layering will come across as heavy and warm, which would make sense for a dwarven look. Dwarves live deep in the mountains, so it wouldn’t be warm. The gray colour ties in with the undertunic and trousers and lightens the look slightly.
Viking caftan Loki (grey): https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/viking-caftan-loki-grey.html
This kaftan is available in a variety of colours.
Over the coat we added another layer, a fur collar. Fur details are a great addition to a dwarven look. Other ways to add fur to a dwarven look could be fur vambraces or fur greaves.
Fur collar Jon: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/fur-collar-jon.html
Or alternatively, Fur vambrace Floki: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/fur-vambrace-floki.html
A good way of adding the feeling of armour, without actually using armour, is by using a very wide belt. The belt we chose has a lot of details and overall a more rough feel to it. The brown colour breaks up the black and grey colour scheme nicely and helps to blend the brown undertones of the fur into the look.
Waist belt Celtic knots, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/waist-belt-celtic-knots-brown.html
If you want to use actual leather armour, check our leather armour category.
Our dwarf is wearing a pair of relatively simple ankle boots. We also added greaves to this look, so there was no need for high boots or shoes with more details.
The greaves are another aspect of the layering we’ve been focussing on in this look. They give a nice contrast with the wool trousers, but they also add to the rougher look we’re going for.
Viking shoes Jorvik with rubber sole: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/viking-shoes-jorvik-with-rubber-sole-black.html
Greaves Squire, black, pair: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/greaves-squire-black-pair.html
On the arms we used a pair of vambraces. These vambraces look a bit thicker, which is needed when they are worn over a wool kaftan. We want them to stand out and feel warrior-like.
Pair of vambraces Fighter, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/pair-of-vambraces-fighter-black.html
In our leather arm & leg armour category you can find other options for greaves and vambraces.
Dwarves may be rough and tough creatures, but they are also well known for making beautiful items from steel. To add a nod to this part of dwarven lore, we gave our dwarf a necklace with wonderful details.
Skane Thor’s hammer with necklace: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/skane-thors-hammer-with-necklace.html
Our dwarf is quite heavily armed. He wields an impressive axe, which is his primary weapon. An axe is not always the most practical weapon though, so he also carries a sword. This sword’s handle is relatively angular, to suit the stocky dwarf better.
He has a weapon holder on his belt, so he has a place to keep the weapon he isn’t using.
Viking double axe: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/viking-double-axe.html
Germanic spatha: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/germanic-spatha.html
Authenthic axe holder for belt: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/authentic-axe-holder-for-belt.html
Festival proof options could be:
LARP long Danish axe: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/larp-long-danish-axe.html
Larp Ready For Battle Sword Knight: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/larp-ready-for-battle-sword-knight.html