Sometimes, certain items we sell are presented as being Viking, or Medieval, or Pirate. For some items this is based on their actual history, for some on one specific character they often are associated with. However, that doesn’t mean these items can’t be used for different looks or characters.
In this blog we want to show you three completely different looks, all using the same trousers, the Viking trousers Dublin.
Look 1 - Bard
The first look we’ll be showing you might be the least expected character to link to viking trousers, a bard. However, with the right other garments, accessories and props, almost everything is possible.
Of course, the trousers in this look are the Viking trousers Dublin in brown. These trousers are wide around the upper legs and more narrow around lower legs. This silhouette was also used in other time periods and is common in various fantasy characters. This makes it a versatile item to have.
Viking trousers Dublin, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-trousers-dublin-brown.html
These trousers are also available in other colours.
We’ve paired the trousers with an off-white shirt, which has slight ruffle details around the neck and wrists. These types of shirts became common in the Renaissance and for some time after that. They are generally associated with characters like noblemen, pirates, but also bards!
Pirate shirt Bastian, cream: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-shirt-bastian-cream.html
In our category Renaissance clothing you can find more of this type of shirt.
Layered over the shirt we have a wool doublet. Adding a doublet is an easy way to make a character look a bit more high status, noble and proper. Bards were poets and musicians, so you can definitely dress them up a bit more.
Doublet Columbus, red: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/doublet-columbus-red.html
You can find more doublets in the category Renaissance clothing.
For shoes we gave our bard a pair of suede boots. These boots aren’t too fancy, but this works really well for this look. After all, bards might be of a higher status than peasants, they still aren’t nobility.
Suede boots Rolf, dark brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/suede-boots-rolf-dark-brown.html
On top of the doublet, our bard wears a simple leather belt with a nicely sized pouch. A pouch is a necessity to keep your money and other valuables safe. These smaller accessories are a great way to make a character really come alive.
As a little nod to the bard’s musical background, we also added a bell to the belt.
Ring belt 90cm, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/ring-belt-190-cm-black.html
Kidney pouch Rutgher, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/kidney-pouch-rutgher-black.html
Hand-forged iron bell: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/hand-forged-iron-bell.html
A bard never knows when inspiration will hit. By having the bard carry a book and writing feather, you can lean into the poet and musician side of the character as well.
Leather diary Burgos, large: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/leather-diary-burgos-large.html
This book is also available in a smaller size. https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/leather-diary-burgos-small.html
Goose feathers, set of 10: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/goose-feathers-set-of-10.html
One of the best ways to really finish a bard look is by adding a musical instrument. We gave our bard a drum, but other musical instruments are also a wonderful option.
https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/reenactment/signal-horn/
(A fun little touch to add to a bard look could be a barrett. It’s not a necessity, but if you want to have a little something extra, a barret would suit the character well.
Beret Stefan, red: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/beret-stefan-red.html )
Look 2 - Pirate
The second look we’ve created with the Dublin trousers is a pirate look. Pirate outfits are always a lot of fun to create, because you can go in many different directions. From a pirate captain, to a simple pirate sailor. For this look we went with a pirate captain look, but if you leave out the fancy coat, the rest of the look would also be a great base for a more lowly pirate look.
Again, the trousers in this look are the Viking trousers Dublin in brown. As mentioned in the bard look, these trousers have a silhouette that can work for many looks. Pirate costumes often have slightly loose fitting trousers with high boots over them. The wider top part of these trousers will give a similar effect as that.
Viking trousers Dublin, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-trousers-dublin-brown.html
These trousers are also available in other colours.
The most common depiction of pirates generally shows them wearing shirts, often with poofy sleeves. For our pirate, we’ve chosen a shirt that has some extra details on the sleeves. That way, the look has a bit more going on should you decide to take off the coat at some point.
Duke shirt: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/duke-shirt-106625968.html
We offer more pirate-y shirts in our pirate clothing category.
Over the shirt we devides to add a vest, sometimes called a jerkin or waistcoat. In popular media, pirate looks are often based on 17th and 18th century clothing. In menswear during those times, a vest would be a part of most mens’ outfits, including sailors. The vest adds a pop of colour to look and, again, makes the look still work if you decide to take off the coat.
Pirate Vest Fletcher, blue: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-vest-fletcher-blue.html
Another garment that was common during the 17th and 18th century was a type of coat called the justaucorps. Eventually this coat also got introduced to the navy and found its way into pirate costumes. A coat like this would be a luxury item, so they are often seen as a pirate captain coat, not something a simple pirate would wear.
17th century Buccaneer coat, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/17th-century-buccaneer-coat-black.html
For other pirate vests and coats you can check out our pirate clothing.
High leather boots would also be considered a luxury item during those times. This is why high boots are a great way to add status to a pirate captain look. A sailor would most likely have worn slip on shoes instead. The leather boots we’ve picked are folded down at the top, to increase the pirate-y feel.
15th century boots, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/15th-century-boots-black.html
To dress up this outfit a bit more, we’ve added a wide belt with a large, decorated buckle. On this belt we hung a money pouch as an extra detail.
Pirate belt Nassau, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-belt-nassau-black.html
Leather pouch, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/leather-pouch.html
In modern pirate movies and series, pirates carry their swords on a belt that goes over the shoulder and across the chest. This is called a baldric. We used a baldric in this look as well, choosing one that again has a large, decorated buckle. Our pirate captain carries a slightly curved sable, as would be common practice on a ship during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Pirate baldric, black: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-baldric-black.html
Pirate sabre Blackbeard: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/pirate-sabre-blackbeard.html
Festival proof sabre alternative: Curved LARP sabre, 85cm: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/curved-larp-sabre-85-cm.html
The one thing you cannot forget in a pirate captain outfit is a hat. We decided to go for a leather tricorn, which is the model most associated with pirates nowadays.
Tricorn Blackbeard, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/tricorn-blackbeard-brown.html
You can find other hat options in our pirate headwear category.
Look 3 - Wanderer
The third and final look we’ve created using the Dublin trousers is a wanderer look. Think of a ranger type of character, who lives in the woods and moves from place to place.
With the Dublin trousers being as versatile as they are, they can basically be used for any fantasy character. A wanderer who is moving around a lot, it would make sense to wear trousers like the Dublin trousers.
Viking trousers Dublin, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-trousers-dublin-brown.html
These trousers are also available in other colours.
A wanderer, who lives outside of society and mostly in the woods, would not have the best cared for clothing. This is a detail we really wanted to show in this look. The tunic we chose has a muted green colour and “unfinished” edges on the neck, hem and sleeves. Perfect for a forest dwelling wanderer.
Medieval tunic Einfalp, green: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/medieval-tunic-einfalp-green.html
This tunic is available in different colours.
Another great, shabby tunic is the tunic Halfdan. https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/medieval-tunic-halfdan-brown.html
Over the tunic, we layered a robe-like coat. Like the tunic, the coat looks old and worn. Layering is a wonderful way to work our way to a specific character.
Viking cloak Loki, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/viking-cloak-loki-brown.html
A good alternative would be the robe Osgar. https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/medieval-robe-osgar-brown.html
Our wanderer actually wears the same boots as our bard, but they have a different feel here because the entire look is just so different. High, comfortable boots work perfectly in wanderer and ranger looks.
Suede boots Rolf, dark brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/suede-boots-rolf-dark-brown.html
To prevent the coat from moving around too much and getting stuck, we had our wanderer wear a belt over the coat. On this belt we added a pouch.
We also added a pair of fingerless leather gloves. This would be a practical addition for a character like this and makes the look a bit less basic.
Leather X-belt, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/leather-x-belt-brown.html
Leather belt bag Agostino, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/leather-belt-bag-agostino-brown.html
Fingerless gloves with laces, brown: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/fingerless-gloves-with-laces-brown.html
A man who wanders around the land and mostly lives in woods would most likely be a skilled hunter. Otherwise he would have a bit of a problem. The hunting weapon of choice for our wanderer is a bow. A longbow would be impractical in forested areas, so we used a recurve bow. He carries his arrows in a quiver on his back. The quiver can also be worn on a belt.
Recurve bow medium: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/epic-armoury-recurve-bow-medium.html
Quiver Robin Hood: https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/quiver-robin-hood-brown.html
You can find other options for a bow and quiver in our archery category. https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/en/buy-sword/archery/