It should be stressed at this point that we were making 'suggestions' not rules on Asatru costume.
Most participants were in favour of keeping as many elements of the Dark Age costume as possible.
We wanted to try and use natural fibres (in the old northlands these would be wool, linen and very small quanties of silk). Natural fibres suggest links to the earth and the goddesses connected with spinning (Frigg, Freyja, Horn and Holda). Equally natural is cotton which makes a good modern linen substitute.
We were all keen to use tablet woven braid on costume (and the womenfolk were even prepared to try and weave the stuff. This is the only part of clothing which is easy to make yourself from stratch- link to our ancestors crafts etc.
We were all in favour of wearing items that link us to our heathen ancestors. Men could wear a token knife. Women can wear keys, girdle hangers etc.
Dark Age style jewellery and amber necklaces got full votes. (The anglo-saxons wore amethyst and garnet).
A deep belt to 'dangle bits off' was considered a must. Costume accessories could include a knife (very traditional but only wear a blunt one in public!), a purse (for money, godfigures, runes, charms, flint and tinder), a fire-steel, a miniature whetstone, small shears, girdle hanger, keys, etc.
Arm rings, especially for priests who can wear an oath ring at public festivals could be considered.
No one felt it necessary to wear authentic underwear.
The decoration of clothing with embroidery or relief fabric paint was considered, and the use of religious symbolism in the designs. Relief leatherwork is also a good medium for such decorations.
The link between colours and deities was considered but we felt that beyond Odin = blue and Thor = red the rest is a bit fanciful, however here are some ideas:
Red - Thor Loki Jord Sif (Lapp source)
Yellow - Freyja Sif
Green - Vanir Jord Aegir Ran Idunna
Light Blue - Frigg Holda Horn (colour of flax flowers)
Dark Blue - Odin Aegir Ran
or:
Black for bark, white for flowers, red for berries, green for leaves
However the importance of folk costume is to feel good about yourself, so wear whatever colour you like best.
We considered it important to arriving at occasions clean and brushed with short nails.
Deep belt with strap ends, knife or blunt token knife, pouch, personal drinking horn, fire steel, religious symbol. Light linen or cotton shirt, either knee length or considerably higher. Heavy wool or linen over tunic in a strong plain colour. Drawstring trousers in natural fabric or leather (not jeans).
Modern alternative, leather or fabric waistcoat with embroidered or fabric paint decoration over collarless shirt. (Or bare chest?) Cloak with hood fastened with a strong cloak pin.
Jewellery - arm rings, talismans, pendants and beads.
Traditional shoes or boots (i.e not trainers)
The women were divided over whether the hair should be covered or not. A white linen or silk scarf can be worn and even knotted in the Viking style (see above). Otherwise leave hair lose or plaited. Alternatively hold back with braid or a metal band.
Wear the Norse style hanging gown over a white underdress but so the straps in place so that lighter brooches can be worn. Or adapt the dress to have a waist - use the pattern for a modern strapped dress but use a traditional natural fabric - this allows the use of a belt.
One suggestion was to wear a much shorter dress over leggings. Sheildmaidens need a mail shirt!
A long dark coloured skirt with a blouse and a hefty belt and several pounds of jewellery would also work well.
In summer just wear the underdress worn with jewellery and a belt. In winter - well it is easy to hide thermals under a long dress. A hanging gown is ideal for pregnant or overweight women - no waistline! A modern equivalent could be worn over a white shirt.
A pair of brooches in a traditional style holding up strings of beads and talismans is a clear link to heathen costume and can transform and otherwise ordinary dress. There are plenty of modern brooches made to tradition designs but do not expect them to hold up dresses and cloaks as the originals did, modern dress brooches will break quickly under such tension.
Getting Replicas: Approx cost of replicas (in UK) Tortoise brooches £80 pair, trefoil brooches £25 -£70, Anglo Saxon dress brooches £30- 40 pair, Imitation cloisonne brooches £45 each, Square Headed brooches £30 Ask Thorskegga for suppliers details.
Source of Linen and fine Wool Fabric Herts Fabrics, 11 Brickfield, Hatfield, Herts AL10 8TN. 01707 265815 Mail order - will send samples on request but quote colours and weight required. About £5 a yard.