Medieval dress

Today, the term medieval dress is used for many garments worn, for example, at carnivals, themed parties, reenactments (medieval portrayals), and Live Action Role-Playing (LARP) scenes. You also see dresses in film and television that somehow look medieval, even though Lord of the Rings is currently showing...how does that fit? For beginners, it's even more confusing that somehow everything in medieval online shops is called a medieval dress, but which one is actually a real dress from the Middle Ages?

What occasions can I wear and buy a medieval dress for today?

A medieval dress can be worn for various occasions, whether it's for a medieval market, a festival, a knight's banquet, or a LARP convention. The right dress can make such a medieval event a very special moment. That's why you should think a little about what kind of dress you want to get.

If you're considering getting one, you should already know what the dress is needed for. Is it for visiting a medieval market, a medieval wedding, a themed party, or perhaps even for participating in the next medieval camp of a reenactment club? In most cases, I advise choosing something beautiful that suits the weather and season and enjoying the day/evening. However, if the costume is meant to be an elf's or even a medieval dress from a specific century, it gets a bit more complicated!

Basically, I recommend that everyone simply browse our medieval online shop a bit first and/or visit us for a fitting and consultation at our store in Magdeburg; it's worth it.

What medieval dresses are available today?

Not everything labeled "medieval" is medieval! Much of what is advertised or sold today as a medieval dress is not always a historically correct or authentic medieval dress. However, almost all of them are suitable for "immersing" yourself in the Middle Ages at a festival or event. Nowadays, there are many ready-to-wear medieval dresses and, of course, many fantasy dresses inspired by medieval clothing that deal thematically with elves, warriors, and sorceresses. The German manufacturer Burgschneider, whose products are also available in our store, is a good example of this with its wrap dress.

A medieval dress in LARP

In LARP (Live Action Role Play), authentic costume or garb is a big step for portraying one's character, essentially the visible calling card. This is exactly how it is with dresses in LARP.

Since one develops their character freely, one doesn't have to submit to the temporal and fashionable constraints of medieval reenactment, but can choose what they like and what suits their own character. Nevertheless, many medieval dresses are a good starting point for what the right dress might look like. If the character is a maid, one can, of course, simply get inspiration from the medieval counterpart or even use these dresses directly. Similarly, one can approach the topic of pirates or even as a noble lady. It's almost always worth looking beyond the obvious, so for those interested, let's turn to the history of the medieval dress.

Dresses in Antiquity

Women wore dresses already in Antiquity and long before; even then, they were an elementary component of female attire. The dress, worn in various colors, was still in an open form and draped with brooches and belts, but they were already recognizable as dresses. Among the Germans and Celts, the so-called peplos, a tube-shaped functional garment, was widespread among women, which, as with the Greeks and Romans, was already fastened with brooches at the shoulder and a belt at the hip. The brooches and belts served as jewelry and as fasteners. Wool was predominantly used as material, while among richer Greeks and Romans, garments were also made of Indian cotton or Chinese silk.

Dresses in the Early Middle Ages

In the Early Middle Ages, dresses fundamentally changed. Early medieval women wore a "särk," a foot-length simple underdress of linen directly on the body, and wool for outerwear. Finds in Birka and Haithabu, however, also show remnants of elaborately made variants that even consisted of silk, which was probably reserved for wealthier Viking women. The underdress was thus the basis of every female garment in the early Middle Ages and not just for Vikings and Germans.

Over this, a overdress was usually worn, which was mostly tube-shaped, or laced at the side, sometimes also cut open at the front and woven, reaching to the calf. The early medieval overdress was fastened with loops, straps, or brooches, with the elaborately designed brooches (shell brooches or also called tortoise brooches) simultaneously used as jewelry. High-quality embroideries and borders were also used as adornment for overdresses. Additionally, an apron was also used for everyday wear and then combined with the underdress to keep weather and dirt away from the body. The materials used were mostly wool, flax, or linen.

The dress in the Middle Ages

Until the 11th century of the Middle Ages, the early cuts changed little; an elaborately cut and sewn medieval dress was reserved for the wealthier upper class or nobility.
The common people wore functional clothing that was not figure-hugging, which for most women meant a combination of underdresses, overdresses, and aprons. In the summer, these simple medieval dresses were also sleeveless and made of linen, while in winter, variants with sleeves and made of warm wool were worn.

From the 12th century of the Middle Ages, the cut of many dresses became more elaborate and refined. The classic medieval dress got an A-line cut and lacing to emphasize the body more. The decorations also became more detailed and elaborate, with embroideries and gold borders. For materials, more unusual fabrics such as silk, brocade, and velvet were used for noble ladies who could, of course, afford them, and thus a striking dress quickly became a status symbol.