Mittelalter Shop Vehi Mercatus

viking and medieval belts

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Medieval belts from Vikings to Renaissance

A stylish garment is only complete with a medieval belt. We offer numerous widths, colors and models for reenactment, larp or the medieval market visit. Our assortment ranges from Viking belts to the wide Renaissance belts of the early modern period. Since the clothes were cut differently than today, buttons were largely unknown and stretch fabrics were still far away, leather belts were very practical utensils to tame the wide cut clothes around the body and also to attach things of daily use to it.

What material were medieval belts made of?

Belts were usually made of leather, because it was available, tear-resistant and easy to work with. However, especially in the field of ladies, there were also textile belts. At that time, there were essentially linen and wool, which came into question as materials. However, linen is incomparably more tear-resistant than wool.

What color were medieval belts?

The question divides textile from leather belts. With textiles there are other dyeing possibilities than for leather. Leather belts will have been mostly brown and only late had other shades. This is due to the fact that the leather in connection with the vegetable tanning already has a brownish beige hue. From Cordoba also red dyed leather came to Europe. Black dyeing was discovered very late and is therefore more suitable for late medieval reenactment. For Larp and medieval market, however, is allowed what pleases.

How wide were belts in the Middle Ages?

Very wide belts as often shown in movies and series look great, but did not correspond to the reality of life in the Middle Ages. Leather was much too valuable to waste it in such a way. It is true that the belt fashion also differs depending on the considered era and class affiliation. However, as a rule of thumb, you can rather reach for narrow belts and that is usually the right choice. For ladies we like to recommend 15mm and for men 20mm belts for civilian representations. But again, for Larp or medieval market suitable representations: Does the wide belt look good to you, it fits you and your character and you feel good with it? Then this is exactly the right belt for you!