Stop it! *giggle* Stop right now, young ladies!!

Y'all are an evil influence.

You know I don't do early period. But you're beginning to make me develop an "eye" for TSCA wrongness in Viking dresses around here. And My! Isn't there a LOT of it?

This is a Very Bad Thing, given how "trendy" Viking stuff is here - Due largely, I suppose, to the fact that we're in the midst of some Persona Doldrums. Or - 5 of the last 7 reigns have been Viking, and of the other two one was "Visigoth" and the other was... just basically silly.

So now I'm getting thoroughly and completely bored with it - and likely a little catty, too. And you all keep pointing out all the finer details that everybody gets wrong It can't help but sink in, after a little while. (Though I thought the rant on the Knowne World Handbook's Viking garb article was really going to do me in).

Bad. Bad friends.


*giggle*

Femke's Completely Unscientific Reasons for Viking Supremacy

Yeah.... That's not the only reason. Calontir is REALLY heavy on the Early period stuff.. the whole Kingdom has an Early Period persona - a factor they have used for years to avoid allowing fencing.

I'll give you my theoretical list of factors:

1. Peer Pressure - whether because lots of Royalty choose it, or because "everybody else" is doing it... Viking begets Viking. There are a lot of local groups that have "group personas" as well - and the vast majority of those are Viking/Early. I think it's a bad idea, and likely to adversely affect recruiting. But that's just me. Why do so many Royals choose it? Fast forward down to #4 and add that the Stick Jock variety of SCAdian (And I'm married to one) is more likely to be this type. Because we all assume it's pretty easy, its also often the first culture that newbies get introduced to - with the caveat that they can DO this. Nobody tells a brand new SCAdian, "Oh, just make yourself a corset, farthingale, petticoats, gown, tie-on sleeves, silk stockings, and come to our event next month!"

2. It's easy. It doesn't take a lot of sewing skill to put together something that looks reasonably viking. It takes even less fitting ability. And... it's much more likely that you can borrow someone's garb and not look like you're wearing someone else's clothing - whereas it's pretty darned hard to wear someone else's GFD. There is also a lot of available info on SCAdian recreations (I'm saying nothing here about actual GOOD reconstructions). Because Viking garb construction is relatively uncomplicated, there are a lot of sites available that give specific instructions about how to make them - with measurements. It's a lot easier to make an outfit based on a formula and drawing of rectangular pieces than it is even to make a GFD based on the Cote Simple instructions.

3. It's cheap. Early period stuff doesn't requires a lot of fabric, and relatively inexpensive fabric choices will look OK. Now, a good Viking necklace requires some knowledge and expense to assemble, and good turtle brooches can likewise be pricey. You don't see really nice versions of either very often. Yes, you can make a budget Burgundian. But it's a lot harder to fake silk brocade than it is to find plain weaves of linen and wool for super cheap.

4. Men like pants. A LOT of women pick their own garb based on what their Man wants. (Especially if they're not married or haven't been married long). They feel as a couple they must "match". And men - like pants. It takes someone confident in his masculinity to do a short cote, braies, and chausses. Or pumpkin pants. They prefer something that either involves Real Pants... or has a tunic long enough that they can wear pants under the tunic and leg wraps without anyone being able to tell.

5. Its the Scadian equivalent of jeans and a T-shirt. It seems casual. Comfortable. Something that you can wear whatever you're doing. It's easy to camp in. No elaborate hairstyles, footwear, or garments involved. I only really roll my eyes when people try to "bling it up" as Court wear. With appliques, embroidery, etc entirely inappropriate to the garment. Though y'all have now upped my Gack-O-Meter with the conversations about What People Do Wrong.

6. Romance of the Viking - I think this (and a high Scandinavian descendent rate) is part of the explanation of why they're Oh-So-Popular in the U.S. Midwest. Something about Viking Raiders strikes a chord with the Norwegians, Swedes, and Danes who still live there. And resonates with the local history of Pioneer life. Cattle rustling/Coastline Raiding - what's the diff?