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 doesn't mean they can't be used in different styles. In this blog, we'll show you 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 don't want to ignore this style, so the first outfit will be a Viking look.
Since the goal of this blog is to show different ways to style the Celtic tunic, we've naturally used the Celtic tunic in its most popular colour, black. This tunic has brocade details around the neckline and sleeves, so it already doesn't look too simple on its own.
This tunic is available in multiple colours.
Layering was essential for Vikings. They lived in colder climates, so they needed layers to stay warm. It was common to wear an underdress as the first layer. For this look, we've used a neutral underdress.
For the trousers, we chose a pair of linen trousers with wide legs. These trousers have a nice colour that pairs well with the black tunic. Wide-legged trousers 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 wrappings helped keep the lower leg warm and protected. They also form an excellent way to add an accent colour to your Viking look.
Our Viking wears leather shoes that reach to the ankle. These boots are made based on an original from the early Middle Ages and are thought to have been frequently worn by Vikings. We've 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 carry all sorts of objects, such as money, weapons, and other everyday items. Vikings were known for their beautiful metalwork, which was also used on their belts, especially by Vikings of higher status. We've added a belt to this look with beautiful metalwork on the buckle and belt end.
To dress up this look a bit, we've added a few different accessories to the belt. Our Viking carries a drinking horn with him, which is attached to the belt using a leather holder.
On his belt, our Viking also carries a dagger, called a seax. These daggers were usually worn at the back, so they could be easily drawn.
Vikings were great warriors, so of course we had to give our Viking a sword. The handle of this sword is skillfully wrapped in leather and features some simple engravings on the handle and the crossguard. It's not the simplest sword, but it's not the most ornately decorated either.
Look 2 - Elven ranger
The second look we've created with the Celtic tunic is an outfit of an elven ranger. The key to using a Viking tunic for a fantasy look is using the right accessories. Accessories and attributes can completely change a look.
The starting point for this look is once again the Celtic tunic in black. The brocade details on this tunic would actually look great in an elven look too.
This tunic is available in multiple colours.
Under the tunic, we've added an underdress with long sleeves in a broken white colour. This lightens up the look, even though the main tunic is black.
You can find many more tunics in our Viking tunic category.
The trousers we used in this look have a more narrow leg. We thought this would make more sense for an elven look than wide, puffy trousers. The trousers are brown in colour to shift the colour scheme to a more woodland atmosphere.
More trousers can be found in our medieval trousers category.
Our elven ranger wears a sensible but high-quality pair of suede boots. These boots have a fairly neutral appearance, so they're usable for a wide range of fantasy looks.
Because most elven rangers are depicted as archers, we've given our elven ranger a pair of arm guards. These add an extra layer to the sleeve portion of the look and add more brown tones.
You can see our full range of arm guards in the leather arm and leg armour category.
We decided to use a narrow belt with beautiful engraved details. Elves are an elegant fantasy race, so such details will strengthen 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 that's not too dark or too bright for this look. Green is often used in elven ranger costumes. Elven rangers are usually forest elves, so they often wear clothing in green and brown tones. The cloak also helps keep the overall look from being too dark.
Check out our fantasy clothing collection for more cloak options.
As mentioned earlier, our elven ranger is an archer. The archetype for elven rangers is that they use longbows. Longbows have a longer range, making them a perfect weapon for elves with superior vision. Our elven ranger carries a leather quiver to carry his arrows.
You can find other options for a bow and arrow 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 that's just as well-known as the elven ranger, the dwarf. Dwarves and elves are actually opposites in terms of appearance, so it might seem odd that we can create both with the same tunic. But again, it's all about the right combination of clothing and accessories.
The tunic we've used throughout this blog, the Celtic tunic in black, is very versatile, despite the fact that it's not the simplest. The brocade details can add a sense of elegance and wealth 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 colours.
This dwarf-like look is heavily based on layering. Under the main tunic, we've added an underdress in a greyish-blue colour. This colour scheme immediately gives a very different feel from what we did for the elven look. It's colder and can be associated with mountains, rocks, and steel.
You can find many more tunics in our Viking tunic category.
The trousers we used are wool trousers with slightly wider legs. They have a herringbone weave in grey and black, which prevents this dark look from appearing too flat. The wool fabric also helps 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 layering, we've given our dwarf a grey kaftan. These layers will come across as heavy and warm, which would make sense for a dwarf look. Dwarves live deep in the mountains, so it wouldn't be warm. The grey colour complements the underdress and trousers and makes the look slightly lighter.
This kaftan is available in different colours.
Over the kaftan we've added another layer, a fur collar. Fur details are a great addition to a dwarf look. Other ways to add fur to a dwarf look would be fur arm guards or fur leg guards.
A good way to add the feeling of armour without actually using armour is to use a very wide belt. The belt we chose has lots of details and overall has a rougher appearance. The brown colour nicely breaks up the black-grey colour scheme and helps integrate the brown undertones of the fur into the look.
If you actually want to use leather armour, check out our leather armour category.
Our dwarf wears a pair of relatively simple ankle boots. We've also added leg guards to this look, so there was no need for tall boots or shoes with more details.
The leg guards are another aspect of the layering we've focused on in this look. They provide a nice contrast with the wool trousers, but also contribute to the rougher appearance we want to achieve.
On the arms we've used a pair of arm guards. These arm guards look somewhat thicker, which is necessary when worn over a wool kaftan. We want them to stand out and give a warrior feel.
In our leather arm and leg armour category, you'll find other options for leg guards and arm guards.
Dwarves may be rough and tough beings, but they're also known for making beautiful steel items. To give a nod to this aspect of dwarf lore, we've given our dwarf a necklace with beautiful details.
Our dwarf is quite heavily armed. He wields an impressive axe, which is his primary weapon. An 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's not using.
