Mix & Match: dress Aelswith

Regularly, certain products we offer are presented as Viking, Medieval, or Pirate. In some cases, this is based on the actual history of the items, while with other products, it may stem from association with a specific character. Nevertheless, this does not mean that these articles are not suitable for various looks or characters.

In this blog, we showcase three different ways to style the red early medieval dress Aelswith.

Look 1 - Archer

The first look we've put together with this dress is a feminine archer. Think of Princess Merida, for example, or if Lady Marian from Robin Hood were to pick up a bow herself.

The focal point of this outfit is, of course, the red Aelswith dress that takes center stage in this blog. This dress is a great foundational piece with subtle detailing in the form of embroidery along the neckline, sleeves, and hem.

Early Medieval dress Aelswith, red: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/early-medieval-dress-aelswith-red.html

This dress is also available in the colour natural. 

Over the red dress, our archer wears a brown, sleeveless tunic. Its shape gives it a higher fantasy appeal, making it very suitable for elf costumes and for characters inspired by Robin Hood.

Tuniek Laylin, bruin: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/tunic-laylin-brown.html 

In our category Fantasy tunics you can find more options.

The shoes we've given our archer are leather ankle boots. These boots enhance the feeling that this lady belongs in a Medieval setting.

Medieval poulaines (1200-1400): https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/medieval-poulaines-1200-1400.html

When shooting a bow, there's a chance that the string might hit your forearm, which can be quite painful. To protect against this, archers also wear forearm guards. These leather guards absorb the impact of the bowstring.

Vambraces Simon, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/vambraces-simon-brown.html

For more vambraces, look in our category Leather arm and leg armor. 

To also protect the fingers from the cutting action of the string, many archers wear a special glove on the hand they use to draw the bow. Our archer also wears such a glove.

Archer glove Robin, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/archer-glove-robin-brown.html

You can find other options in our Bracers, nocks, gloves & accessories category. 

Over the dress and tunic, our archer wears a leather belt. This belt accentuates the waist for a nice silhouette. Additionally, the belt can be used to hang other accessories. In this ensemble, we've given our archer a knife to hang from the belt.

Ring belt 160cm, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/ring-belt-160-cm-brown.html

Hand forged Viking knife Reykjavik: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/hand-forged-viking-knife-reykjavik.html

A festival-appropriate alternative could be:

LARP cutthroat knife with holder, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/larp-cutthroat-knife-with-holder-brown.html

Of course, we can't call this character an archer without giving her a bow and quiver with arrows. The bow she uses is a recurve bow, suitable for both standing use and for shooting from horseback. The quiver is a leather one with a laced detail.

Recurve bow Squire 96cm: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/epic-armoury-hun-bow.html

Dark brown quiver: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/dark-brown-quiver.html

You can find more bows in our Traditional & modern recurve bows category. 

Look 2 - Valkyrie

For the second look with the Aelswith dress, we've chosen to create a Valkyrie outfit. Valkyries are mythological female warriors from Norse mythology. They are often depicted in dresses, combined with beautiful armor, and riding winged horses.

The basis for this look is again the red Aelswith dress. There isn't a specific color associated with Valkyries, so you're free to use any color you like. We've chosen red because it signifies "danger."

Early Medieval dress Aelswith, red: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/early-medieval-dress-aelswith-red.html

This dress is also available in the colour natural.

Since Valkyries originate from Norse mythology, we've chosen to give our Valkyrie Viking shoes.

Viking shoes Jorvik with rubber sole, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/viking-shoes-jorvik-with-rubber-sole-black.html 

To make our Valkyrie look like the warrior goddess she is, she wears a feminine, fantasy-inspired armor. This armor consists of a breastplate, a gorget, and shoulder armor. The breastplate and gorget are elegant, but the accompanying shoulder armor pieces are larger for an impressive silhouette.

Chest armor Lena: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/chest-armor-lena.html

Armour collar Lena: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/armour-collar-lena.html

Shoulder armor Lena: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/shoulder-armor-lena.html 

You can find more options in our category LARP & fantasy plate armor.

We've paired the steel armor with a wide leather belt. The belt features engraved details, giving it a luxurious appearance while still maintaining a rugged feel.

Celtic belt Ruari, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/celtic-belt-ruari-light-brown-copy.html

We have more broad belts in our Fantasy belts category. 

An element often depicted in images of Valkyries is impressive winged helmets. Some of these helmets also partially cover the face. Unfortunately, we don't have winged helmets, but we do have a dramatically looking, face-covering helmet.

Italo-corinthian helmet: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/deepeeka-italo-corinthian-helmet.html

Our Valkyrie wields a lavishly decorated sword in the style of Viking swords. With engravings on the blade and an extremely detailed grip, this sword is fit for a goddess.

Viking Dybek sword deluxe: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/viking-dybek-sword-deluxe.html

A festival-appropriate option could be:

LARP Stronghold Jarl sword: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/larp-stronghold-jarl-sword.html 

To complete this look, we've given our Valkyrie a signal horn. Just imagine—a group of warrior goddesses, descending from the sky on their flying horses, announcing their arrival with the sound of a signal horn...

That must be truly impressive.

Early Medieval signal horn: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/early-medieval-signal-horn.html

Look 3 - Tavern maiden

The third look we've created with the red Aelswith dress is a tavern maiden outfit. The tavern maiden is a common figure in fantasy stories, sometimes appearing as a background character and sometimes playing a larger role. It's a playful look that allows for a lot of creativity with accessories.

The red Aelswith dress remains the foundation for this look as well. It's a versatile dress that, with its embroidery, adds a bit more interest than a plain basic dress.

Early Medieval dress Aelswith, red: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/early-medieval-dress-aelswith-red.html

This dress is also available in the colour natural.

To give the dress a completely different vibe, in this ensemble, we've paired it with a Medieval surcoat. This surcoat features lacing on the sides, allowing for a flattering fit. The lacing detail adds a nice touch that complements the tavern maiden look.

Medieval surcot Uma, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/medieval-surcot-uma-brown.html

You can find other options in our category Medieval surcoats.

The shoes we've given our tavern maiden are low shoes with a strap over the instep. These shoes have a more feminine appearance compared to the ankle boots used in the other looks.

Norman poulaines with buckle: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/norman-poulaines-with-buckle.html

Our tavern maiden wears an apron over her clothing. She's busy all day with food and drinks, so having an apron to protect her clothes and wipe her hands on is essential. A fun way to style an apron is by pulling up one corner and tucking it under the waistband of the apron. This way, you reveal a bit more of the clothing underneath, giving it a playful look.

Apron Alianor, natural: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/apron-alianor-natural.html

In our category Medieval skirts you can find more options.

Our tavern maiden also wears a cloth over her hair. This keeps her hair out of the way while she's working hard in the tavern.

Medieval headscarf: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/medieval-headscarf.html 

The next component of this outfit is a belt. Our tavern maiden wears a narrow, simple belt. She's not wealthy or of high status, so a richly decorated belt wouldn't suit the character.

14th-15th century belt Beaufort, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/14th-15th-century-belt-beaufort-black.html

To further accessorize this tavern maiden, we've given her a set of keys. These keys grant her access to places like the cellar and other areas where guests are not allowed.

Historical keys: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/historical-keys.html

Beer and mead will flow abundantly in a tavern, so our tavern maiden often walks around with a tankard in her hands. By adding a tankard to the outfit, her role or background becomes even clearer. To avoid carrying the tankard all the time, you can hang it on your belt with a special holder.

Wooden tankard: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/wooden-tankard.html

Leather beer mug holder: https://www.celticwebmerchant.co.uk/leather-beer-mug-holder-black.html