To viking or not to viking, that is the question

[liadethornegge]

Next summer, Drachenwald Coronation will be held by the neighbouring shire. They've started advertising it now, and it is very well done. Sir Cormac knows how to whet an apetite, however...

However, the event is Viking themed. As in site is a viking village with longhouse, the ceremonies will no doubt be viking in theme and the food no doubt will be viking inspired, served in aforementioned viking longhouse that seats 200.

This is all cool, themed events are cool in general and I know Cormac and crew will put together an awesome event, however...

However, I am not in the least interested in dressing like a viking. The teaser ad we had last week was very good. Very good indeed, and one almost wants to do it, but then again - no I don't.

Oh, I know there's no mandate to comply with the theme, but no doubt many, many will. I just feel I don't have suitably bling-y accessories to be a viking, nor do I want to invest in them (do you know how much a nice pair of tortoise brooches cost?!?!?). And I don't feel pretty in viking clothing.

Bah.

Comments

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

comfortable-schmomfortable! I want to be a pretty pretty princess. And the jewelery is expensive, and not really to my tastes if I'm honest.

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

maybe stick with the time period and not the region? The Vikings are known to have raided as far south as Italy. You could do any region that they were known to have contact with if you want to go that way...

[my-stitching.livejournal.com]

I don't particularly like Viking either, but I have a Viking kit from being in a wedding. The apron is not the wrap kind, which I think would be a bit too chilly. It is basically a shaped tube dress (skirt is slightly a-line) and it is very comfortable and flattering. It has hand woven trim and finger loop braids to hold it up. I wear it over a long t-tunic. For something that you wouldn't do often, you wouldn't have to go to that much trouble. Just make a long t-tunic with a simple apron over it.

Brooches don't have to be too expensive. Here are a pair for $50. But as this isn't your period, you could just get some large metal buttons and string some beads to hang between them. I think it would look fine and you would feel in the spirit of the event. :)

[my-stitching.livejournal.com]

Oops forgot the link
http://www.oddsnsods.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59&products_id=34

[ragnvaeig.livejournal.com]

My brooches came from Raymond's Quiet Press (http://www.quietpress.com) for US$35. And if his international shipping is too expensive for you, I'm always happy to serve as a domestic receiver and send it off to you for cost.

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Well, that's a bit more affordable than $300, but they're not as nice as the expensive ones.

And the thing about coronation is it's a ceremonial event wherever and however it's held. I want to look pretty, and just something quickly thrown together for only one event? That sounds like a costume to me, not clothes, and I'm not big on costumes.

I don't know. Maybe I'll succumb and do one proper viking outfit, because the theme is likely to come back - we're in Sweden after all, and I could make something all enveloping, closed-necked and wool.

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Those were kind of nice brooches, and fairly affordable. Still ...

Long time til then. Further pondering needed.

[sharikkamur.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. I feel that I really ought to do Viking because I'm here in Iceland but I'd really rather do Saxon. Or Andalucian. Or Spanish court garb. Or 'bethan. Particularly since I changed persona once I started fencing and realised how much fun late period was.

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my loose plan for future sewing was to make more items for my 1400 persona... I'm fairly well-stocked as a late 16th Century girl. I can be warm, cool, relaxed and fancy. But for the 15th C I don't have as many options.

A viking outfit was nowhere in that plan.

[pogbody.livejournal.com]

I had to do this once. When Peregrine was King, I was an attendant at the Coronation and had to borrow the entire outfit as I was too new to really know what I was doing.

I sympathise with the not-wanting-to-invest-in-garb-I-will-only-wear-once. I would be tempted to see if there was something of a similar period that appeals to you more, or else borrow an outfit from someone who isn't going to the event.....

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Herjolfsnes was a Viking establishment. And there's nothing in this world prettier than a "ten gore" Herjolfsness dress. :-D

[frualeydis.livejournal.com]

I made viking clothing for when Nordrike had a viking king and queen, since I was in their retinue and also can easily become enthusiastic about any kind of garb. If I was to go to the coronation I would still make something new though, since I like new. I would make something less common than the apron dress and tortoise brooches, there are plenty of graves without them, or I could wear something from my persona's original homeland, i.e. Flanders. I also saw some lovely germanic iron age costumes at the NESAT conference who tempted me.

/Eva

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Borrowing might be an option... But it's going to be a well-visited event I'm sure. Central Nordmark, Nordmark pair stepping down. Well, you know Marcus is a well-liked guy, loads of people will come.

Hrm...

[cristina-stolte.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with you Lia. I really want to go to the event but it will be without the viking garb. I wouldn't want to do something half hearted and right now I just want to focus on the late 14th century - early 15th.

Char has a good idea though - I'm already planning to make a Herjolfsnäs dress. :)

I guess it is, as always, a question about time and money.

[liadethornegge.livejournal.com]

Well, Herjolfsnäs is a possibility, true. You will post about it, when you do it, right? :)

[stolte.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

That's the plan! :)

[aeddie.livejournal.com]

Stay strong Sister. Our current King and Queen in Caid are doing 9th Century Danish. I went to Coronation in my trusty 16th century English clothes. And I'm on court as one of the guards.

For their stepping down I'm planning on making some 16th century Danish. Even though pluderhosen are the ugliest pants ever to be designed.

[the-celestia.livejournal.com]

(makes plan to attend their stepping down just for the primary purpose of seeing Aeddie in pluderhosen)

t_C

[kitlizzy.livejournal.com]

I am so glad I am not the only one who feels a gigantic MEH towards viking. Thank you. :)

[zarhooie.livejournal.com]

Going viking is good for the soul once in a while, not in the least because when you've got outside events and it's bloody FREEZING out, throwing on three layers of wool is probably the smartest thing you can do. :)

I'd contact your Friendly Neighborhood Viking and see if they have anything that'd fit you so you don't have to make your own.

[niamh-gisburne.livejournal.com]

If they haven't changed the place too much since I worked there, it's not entirely viking. Medieval clothes will do just fine and will not look out of place. (Although, 16th century garments might look a little off!)

Oh, and... I have about 5 pounds of handmade, typical "viking" glass beads if you want some? (Different colours, gold stripes, etc.) I'm not likely to use them all anyway, and I'm too lazy to sell them. Just bought them a few years back because they are gorgeous and were on sale.

If I have time and money to add some Anglo-Saxon or Norman clothes to my wardrobe before the event you can borrow them if you want to, so you won't have to spend money on clothes you won't wear after the event.