Viking Overdress
Various versions of the Viking apron dress by Burgschneider trace back to a 10th-century find in Haithabu, present-day Denmark. The remaining fragments of the original find are preserved by the Schleswig-Holstein State Museums Foundation.
The apron dress in Nordic tradition
In northern Germania, the apron dress was often worn as a pinafore over an underdress or undertunic for women. This second layer over the undertunic became necessary due to the weather conditions, as the North experienced significantly longer cold periods.
Because of this, every helping hand in a household, clan, or tribal community was essential for securing necessities. Fashion took a backseat to practicality.
Whether Varangians, Rus, or Norwegians, the Viking dress worn by the female companions of the wild seafarers of the North shared the same fundamental characteristics.
Whether shieldmaiden or housewife, they all wore ankle-length undergarments with apron-like coverings to provide warmth.
To protect against the cold of the North, Viking women also wore a wrap coat or rectangular cloak.
