Carnival medieval costume for men and women carnival costume
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Whether as a fearless knight, a Nordic Viking or an elegant lady of the castle – a medieval costume is one of the most timeless choices for Carnival. Here you’ll find tunics, dresses, hats, shoes and accessories made from genuine natural fibres, which aren’t just perfect for a night out, but will also look great at any medieval festival or market afterwards.
Which medieval roles are suitable for Carnival?
The Middle Ages offer a remarkably wide range of costume options – far more than just the classic knight in chainmail. Depending on the role you choose, you’ll need different outfits:
Knights & Mercenaries
A tunic or tabard over a gambeson, paired with a leather belt and sturdy boots. If you want to go the extra mile, add a tabard in the colours of your fictional house. For specialised knight outfits, it’s worth taking a look at the knight carnival costume category.
Vikings & Norsemen
Wool tunic, Thor’s trousers, a wide leather belt and a coarse wool cloak. A beard accessory and a brooch on the cloak complete the look instantly. You’ll find specialised sets in the Viking fancy dress costume category.
Castle Lady & Noblewoman
Long medieval dress in muted colours, bodice over the top, veil or headdress. A cloak completes the courtly look. You can find the full selection of women’s costumes under Medieval Clothing for Women.
Pilgrim & Travelling Merchant
Simple tunic in natural colours, coarse woollen belt, felt hat and a shoulder bag or pouch. The characteristic felt pilgrim’s hat makes the role instantly recognisable.
Monks & Clergy
A simple brown or grey habit, a cord as a belt, and possibly a cross pendant. Minimalist, yet instantly recognisable. Additional costumes can be found in the monk fancy dress category.
Travelling Minstrels & Court Jester
Colourfully striped or two-tone tunics, eye-catching headwear, bells as accessories. Vibrant colour combinations such as red and yellow or blue and green are typical of this character.
Complete outfits or individual pieces? How to put together your carnival costume
You don’t necessarily have to buy a complete costume set – most authentic medieval looks can be put together in a modular way. Individual items such as tunics, trousers, belts, hats and shoes can be freely combined, giving you maximum flexibility in terms of budget and style.
For an instantly recognisable medieval look, a tunic + belt + felt hat will do the trick. The handmade medieval felt hat, from approx. €19, is the piece that makes the costume immediately recognisable. Add a simple cotton or linen tunic and a narrow leather belt – and your basic outfit is complete.
Complete the basic set with matching medieval trousers or Thorsberg trousers, a woollen cloak and sturdy shoes. At this level, the look also appears authentic at medieval markets and no longer looks solely like a carnival costume.
Wool tunic or wool dress, London-style leather shoes, a belt with metal fittings and a lined cloak. This combination is so suitable for everyday wear that it can also be worn at festivals and re-enactment events after the carnival season – the best value for money in the long run.
Medieval costumes for women and men: what distinguishes the looks?
- Long medieval dress in wool or linen as a base
- A bodice over a blouse or dress as a characteristic element
- Medieval skirt combined with a linen blouse
- Veiled hoods, bonnets or berets as headwear
- Castle lady look with a cape and belt with a pouch
- Full selection under Medieval Costumes for Women
- Tunic over trousers as a classic basic combination
- Doublet or gambeson for the warrior look
- Thorsberg trousers as an authentic Viking alternative
- Tunic for knight and mercenary characters
- Felt hat or beret as a quick distinguishing feature
- Full selection under Medieval Costumes for Men
Many items are unisex: capes and cloaks, felt hats, belts and shoes suit both women and men. If you’d like to explore the range further, you’ll find the full selection of women’s attire under Medieval Clothing for Women and men’s clothing under Medieval Clothing for Men.
Hats, shoes and accessories: the finishing touch for your carnival costume
Accessories are often the most affordable way to start a medieval costume – and at the same time the items that define the look most strongly. A handmade felt hat or beret instantly transforms a simple tunic into a recognisable medieval figure. The pilgrim hats in the range are supplied unshaped and can be moulded to your own preference, making them particularly versatile. This eye-catcher is available from around €19.
When it comes to shoes, it’s worth taking a look at the London-style medieval shoes made from genuine leather with a nailed sole. They are based on actual archaeological finds from London and look far more authentic than modern trainers or boots – a detail that makes all the difference between a ‘dressed-up’ and a ‘costumed’ look for a carnival outfit. The shoes are available in natural brown and can be hand-dyed on request.
Belts, leather bags and jewellery complete the look. For those on a tight budget: individual medieval accessories are available from around €13 and can easily be combined with existing clothing.
Budget guide: How much does a good medieval carnival costume cost?
Individual items such as a felt hat (from around €19), a simple leather belt or a woollen pouch. When added to your own neutral clothing, these create an instantly recognisable medieval look with minimal effort.
A linen or cotton tunic combined with a belt and hat. Most of the complete outfits in the range fall within this price bracket. Sufficient for a night at the carnival, but already practical enough for everyday wear at the next medieval market.
Wool tunic or wool dress, leather shoes, complete sets. Those who invest here are buying items made from genuine natural fibres that will last for many seasons. A wool dress or wool tunic is far more comfortable to wear on long carnival evenings than synthetics and can be worn again at medieval markets, re-enactment events or school fairs.
Materials: Why wool and linen make all the difference in a costume
| Material | Suitability | Special feature |
|---|---|---|
| Wool | Historical | Breathable, temperature-regulating, keeps you comfortably warm even on long evenings without overheating |
| Linen | Historical | Lightweight and breathable, ideal as an undershirt or tunic in the transitional season; soft against the skin |
| Leather | Historical | For belts, bags and shoes; durable, develops a beautiful patina over time |
| Polyester blend | Cheap costume | Inexpensive to produce, but uncomfortable against the skin during long evenings; does not last beyond the carnival season |
Our own brand, Vehi Mercatus, works exclusively with natural fibres – a conscious decision, not a matter of course. The fabrics are manufactured in weaving mills to our own specifications, ensuring the quality and consistency of the fabrics. Anyone who has ever worn a woollen tunic on a long carnival evening will immediately notice the difference compared to a disposable synthetic costume: no static, no unpleasant smell of sweat, and significantly more comfortable when moving.
From a last-minute carnival costume to an outfit you can wear at the next medieval market – here you’ll find tunics, dresses, hats and shoes to suit every budget. Browse the selection now and put together your own personal medieval costume.
Frequently asked questions
The bare minimum for a recognisable medieval look is a simple tunic, a leather belt and a felt hat. These three items together cost from around 50 euros and are perfectly adequate for Carnival. If you want to go the extra mile, add matching trousers, a cloak and shoes.
Yes, that is one of the biggest advantages over disposable synthetic carnival costumes. Tunics, dresses, hats and shoes made from natural fibres can be worn at medieval markets, re-enactment events and LARP gatherings just as easily as at carnival. So, if you invest a little more, you’re buying a garment that will bring you joy for many years to come.
There are separate categories of medieval clothing for girls and boys. Tunics, small hats and simple belts are also available in children’s sizes. As children grow quickly, it is advisable to buy something a little larger or to opt for sturdy natural-fibre items that will still fit even after a growth spurt.
Cheap carnival costumes are usually made from polyester blends, which feel uncomfortable against the skin during long evenings, build up static and smell of sweat. Medieval clothing made from wool or linen is breathable, temperature-regulating and lasts significantly longer. What’s more, natural-fibre costumes look more authentic and can be worn again after carnival.
Popular options for women include a medieval dress with a bodice (castle lady look), a skirt with a linen blouse, or a simple tunic with a belt and felt hat (mercenary or pilgrim). For Viking characters, there are special Viking dresses. All women’s costumes are grouped together in the Medieval Costumes for Women category.