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Although we offer a wide range of products, there are some items that are true favorites among fans. These items are often labeled as Viking, Medieval, or Renaissance, based on their history. However, this does not mean they cannot be used in different styles. In this blog, we will show three different outfits, all featuring the same fan-favorite item: the Celtic tunic with short sleeves.
Celtic tunic Look 1 - Viking
The most common way the Celtic tunic is worn is in a Viking look. We do not want to overlook this style, so the first appearance will be a Viking look.
Since the purpose of this blog is to show different ways to style the Celtic tunic, we have of course used the Celtic tunic in its most popular colour, black. This tunic has brocade details around the neckline and sleeves, so it does not look too simple on its own.
This tunic is available in multiple colors.
Layers were essential for Vikings. They lived in colder climates, so they needed layers to stay warm. It was common to wear an undergarment as the first layer. For this look, we used a neutral undergarment.
For the trousers, we chose a pair of linen trousers with wide legs. These trousers have a nice colour that matches well with the black tunic. Trousers with wide legs are seen in various images from that time and would have been one of the commonly worn types of trousers.
Vikings wore leg wrappings, called winnigas, over their trouser legs. These leg wraps helped to keep the lower leg warm and protected. They also provide an excellent way to add an accent color to your Viking look.
Our Viking wears leather shoes that reach the ankle. These boots are made after an original from the early Middle Ages and are believed to have been frequently worn by Vikings. We have chosen the black version of these boots to match the tunic.
A belt is a must for any Viking look. Belts are practical items used to hold various objects with you, such as money, weapons, and other items for daily use. Vikings were known for their beautiful metalwork, which was also used on their belts, especially by higher-status Vikings. We have added a belt to this look with beautiful metalwork as buckle and belt end.
To enhance this look a bit more, we have added a few different accessories to the belt. Our Viking carries a drinking horn, which is attached to the belt using a leather holder.
At his belt, our Viking also wears a dagger, called a seax. These daggers were usually worn at the back so they could be easily drawn.
Vikings were formidable warriors, so of course we had to give our Viking a sword. The handle of this sword is expertly wrapped with leather and features some simple engravings on the handle and crossguard. It is not the simplest sword, but also not the most lavishly decorated.
Look 2 - Elven ranger
The second look we created with the Celtic tunic is the look of an elven ranger. The key to using a Viking-tunic for a fantasy look is the use of the right accessories. Accessories and attributes can completely change a look.
The starting point for this look is again the Celtic tunic in the black. The brocade details on this tunic would actually also look great in an elven look.
This tunic is available in multiple colors.
Under the tunic, we have added an undergarment with long sleeves in an off-white colour. This lightens the look, even if the main tunic is black.
You can find many more tunics in our category of Viking tunics.
The trousers we used in this look has a narrower leg. We thought this would be more logical for an elven look than wide, poofy trousers. The trousers is brown from colour to shift the color scheme to a more forest-like atmosphere.
More trousers can be found in our category of medieval trousers.
Our elven ranger wears a sensible, yet high-quality pair of suede boots. These boots have a fairly neutral appearance, making them usable for a wide range of fantasy-looks.
Because most elven rangers are depicted as archers, we have given our elven ranger a pair of vambraces . These add an extra layer to the sleeve part of the look and add more brown tones.
You can see our full range of vambraces in the category leather arm and leg armor.
We have decided to use a narrow belt with beautiful engraved details. Elves are an elegant fantasy race, so such details will enhance the elven feel.
Cloaks immediately evoke "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 neither too dark nor too bright, for this look. Green is often used in costumes of elven rangers. Elven rangers are usually wood elves, so they often wear clothing in green and brown tones. The cloak also helps to avoid making the overall look too dark.
Check out our fantasy clothing collection for more options regarding cloaks.
As mentioned earlier, 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 with superior vision. Our elven ranger wears a leather quiver to carry his arrows.
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 elf ears. The pointed ears are inherent to the depiction of elves, so you really can't do without them.
Look 3 - Dwarf
Our third look in this blog is a fantasy character as well-known as the elven ranger, the dwarf. Dwarves and elves are in fact opposites in appearance, so it may seem strange that we can create both with the same tunic. But again, it's all about the right combination of garments and accessories.
The tunic we have used during this blog, the Celtic tunic in the black, is very versatile, despite not being the simplest. The brocade details can add a sense of elegance and richness when the rest of the outfit is styled to enhance that. They can also contribute to the powerful appearance of a dwarf look.
This tunic is available in multiple colors.
This dwarven-like look is heavily based on layering. Under the main tunic, we have added an underdress in a gray-blue colour. This color scheme immediately gives a very different atmosphere than what we did for the elven look. It is colder and can be associated with mountains, rocks, and steel.
You can find many more tunics in our Viking tunics category.
The trousers we have used is a woolen trousers with slightly wider legs. They have a herringbone weave in gray and black, which prevents this dark look from appearing too flat. The woolen fabric also helps to create an interesting mix of textures, as well as a heavier, warmer appearance.
We have more trousers available in our Viking trousers category.
To continue with the layers, we have given our dwarf a gray caftan. These layers will appear heavy and warm, which would be logical for a dwarf look. Dwarves live deep in the mountains, so it wouldn't be warm. The gray colour matches the undergarment and the trousers, making the look slightly lighter.
This caftan is available in various colors.
We have added another layer to the cloak, a fur collar. Fur details are a great addition to a dwarf look. Other ways to add fur to a dwarf look could be fur vambraces or fur greaves.
A good way to add the feeling of armor without actually using armor is by using a very broad belt. The belt we have chosen has many details and generally a rougher appearance. The brown colour nicely breaks the black-gray color scheme and helps integrate the brown undertones of the fur into the look.
If you actually want to use leather armor, check out our category leather armors.
Our dwarf wears a pair of relatively simple ankle boots. We have 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 focused on in this look. They provide a nice contrast with the woolen trousers, but also contribute to the rougher appearance we want to achieve.
On the arms, we used a pair of vambraces. These vambraces appear somewhat thicker, which is necessary when worn over a woolen caftan. We want them to stand out and give a warrior feel.
In our category leather arm and leg armor you will find other options for greaves and vambraces.
Dwarves may be rugged and tough creatures, but they are also known for crafting beautiful items from steel. To give a nod to this aspect of dwarf lore, we have given our dwarf a necklace with exquisite details.
Our dwarf is quite heavily armed. He wields an impressive axe, which is his primary weapon. A axe is not always the most practical weapon, so he also carries a sword. The handle of this sword is relatively angular, to better suit the stocky dwarf.
He has a weapon holder on his belt, so he has a place to store the weapon he is not using.
