Sometimes certain items we sell are presented as Viking, Medieval, or Pirate. For some items, this is based on their actual history, for others on a specific character they're often 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 totally different looks, all using the same trousers, the Viking trousers Dublin.
Viking Trousers Dublin Look 1 - Bard
The first look we're showing you is perhaps the least expected character to link to viking trousers: a bard. With the right additional clothing, accessories, and props, though, almost anything is possible.
The trousers in this look are, of course, the Viking Trousers Dublin in brown. These trousers are wide around the upper thighs and taper towards the lower legs. This silhouette was also used in other time periods and appears frequently in various fantasy characters. This makes it a versatile item to have.
We've paired the trousers with a broken white shirt that has delicate ruffles around the neck and wrists. This type of shirt became common during the Renaissance and for some time afterward. They're generally associated with characters like nobility, pirates, but also bards!
You can find more of this type of shirt in our Renaissance clothing category.
Layered over the shirt, we added a woolen doublet. Adding a doublet is an easy way to make a character look a bit taller, more noble, and more refined. Bards were poets and musicians, so you can certainly dress them up a bit more.
You can find more doublets in the Renaissance clothing category.
As shoes, we gave our bard a pair of suede boots. These boots aren't overly luxurious, but they fit this look perfectly. While bards may have a higher status than peasants, they're still not nobility.
Over the doublet, our bard wears a simple leather belt with a nice large pouch. A purse is a necessity to keep your money and other valuables safe. These smaller accessories are a great way to really bring a character to life.
As a small nod to the bard's musical background, we've also added a bell to the belt.
A bard never knows when inspiration will strike. By having the bard carry a book and a quill, you can also showcase the poet and musician side of the character.
One of the best ways to really complete a bard look is by adding a musical instrument. We gave our bard a drum, but other musical instruments are also a wonderful option.
(A fun little touch to add to a bard look would be a hair clip. It's not necessary, but if you want something extra, a beret would suit the character well.
Look 2 - Pirate
The second look we've created with the Dublin trousers is a pirate look. Pirate outfits are always fun to create because you can go in many different directions. From pirate captain to simple pirate sailor. For this look, we've chosen a pirate captain look, but if you leave out the fancy jacket, the rest of the look would also be a great basis for a simpler pirate look.
The trousers in this look are again the Viking Trousers Dublin in brown. As mentioned in the bard look, these trousers have a silhouette that works with many looks. Pirate costumes often feature slightly loose-fitting trousers with tall boots worn over them. The wider top part of these trousers creates a similar effect.
The most common depiction of pirates shows them wearing shirts, often with billowing sleeves. For our pirate, we chose a shirt with some extra details on the sleeves. This gives the look a bit more attention if you decide to take the jacket off at some point.
We offer more pirate shirts in our pirate clothing category.
Over the shirt, we layer a vest, also called a doublet or gilet. In popular media, pirate looks are often based on clothing from the 17th and 18th centuries. In men's clothing of that time, a vest was part of most men's outfits, including sailors. The vest adds a pop of color to the look and again ensures the look still works if you decide to take the jacket off.
Another garment that was common in the 17th and 18th centuries was a type of jacket called the justaucorps. Eventually, this jacket was also introduced to the navy and found its way into pirate costumes. Such a jacket would be a luxury item, which is why they're often seen as a pirate captain's jacket rather than something a simple pirate would wear.
Tall leather boots were also considered a luxury item at that time. This is why tall boots are a great way to add status to a pirate captain's look. A sailor would probably have worn slip-on shoes instead. The leather boots we've chosen are folded down at the top to enhance the pirate feel.
To dress up this outfit a bit more, we've added a wide belt with a large, ornate buckle. As an extra detail, we've hung a coin purse from this belt.
In modern pirate films and series, pirates wear their swords on a belt that goes over the shoulder and across the chest. This is called a baldric. We've also used a baldric in this look, choosing one that again has a large, ornate buckle. Our pirate captain carries a slightly curved saber, as was customary on ships in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The one thing you mustn't forget in a pirate captain outfit is a hat. We decided to go with a leather tricorn, the style that nowadays is most associated with pirates.
You can find other hat options in our pirate headwear category.
Look 3 - Ranger
The third and final look we've created with the Dublin trousers is a Ranger look. Think of a loner character who lives in the forest and travels from place to place.
Because the Dublin trousers are as versatile as they are, they can basically be used for any fantasy character. For a Ranger who moves around a lot, it makes sense to wear trousers like the Dublin trousers.
A Ranger, who lives outside society and especially in the forest, wouldn't have the most well-maintained clothing. This is a detail we really wanted to show in this look. The tunic we chose has a muted green color and "unfinished" edges at the neck, hem, and sleeves. Perfect for a forest dweller.
Over the tunic, we've layered a robe-like jacket. Like the tunic, the jacket looks old and worn. Layering is a wonderful way to guide us toward a specific character.
Our Ranger is actually wearing the same boots as our bard, but they feel different here because the entire look is so different. Tall, comfortable boots fit perfectly with ranger looks.
To prevent the jacket from moving too much and getting caught, we've had our Ranger wear a belt over the jacket. We've added a pouch to this belt.
We've also added a pair of fingerless leather gloves. This would be a practical addition for a character like this and makes the look less basic.
A man who roams the land and usually lives in forests is most likely an experienced hunter. Otherwise, he'd have a bit of a problem. Our wanderer's favorite hunting weapon is a bow. A crossbow would be impractical in heavily 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.
You can find other bow and quiver options in our archery category. https://www.celticwebmerchant.com/nl/zwaard-kopen/boogschieten/
