Medieval hair jewellery and medieval beard beads
Medieval hair accessories range from simple leather headbands to ornate hair spirals and beard beads featuring Celtic or Viking motifs — accessories that, then as now, are the finishing touch to any hairstyle or outfit. Whether you want to finish off your Viking outfit with an authentic beard bead or crown a medieval dress with a leather tiara: hair accessories are the detail that transforms a costume into a full ensemble.
Hair ornaments in the Middle Ages: what was worn and why
In the Middle Ages, hair jewellery was far more than mere decoration — it was a social marker indicating status, origin and marital status. Women wore ribbons, clips, hairpins and wreaths to tame their often long hair whilst also adorning it. The materials used revealed a great deal about social standing: whilst wealthy ladies could afford gilded pins, silk ribbons and gemstone settings, the common people had to make do with braided wool or linen ribbons and simple bone or bronze pins.
Body adornment also played a role for men — though the focus shifted to the beard. In the Viking Age and among the Celts, a well-groomed, adorned beard was regarded as a sign of strength and dignity. Beards were adorned with beads made of gold, silver, glass, bone or clay, which were woven into the hair and emphasised the wearer’s status. The more elaborate and precious the material, the higher the social standing, as a rule.
How did people wear their hair in the Middle Ages?
Hairstyles in the Middle Ages varied greatly depending on the era, region and social class. Women generally wore their hair long, often braided or pinned up — loose hair was reserved for young, unmarried women. Married women covered their hair for reasons of modesty with a veil, a bonnet or a gebende, a characteristic headband with linen flaps extending down the sides of the face. These head coverings were typical of medieval headwear and were often fastened with hairpins or gebende pins.
Men wore their hair shorter or shoulder-length, depending on the era and cultural group. In the Early Middle Ages, particularly among the Germanic tribes and the Franks, long, well-groomed hair was regarded as a sign of masculinity and nobility. Among the Vikings and Celts, the beard held particular cultural significance: it served as a distinguishing mark, a status symbol and a canvas for personal adornment all at once. Hair beads, beard beads and braided patterns made the beard the individual trademark of a warrior or tribal leader.
Materials: bronze, zamak, leather and more
| Material | Suitability | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Historical | Beard and hair beads, durable and suitable for patina |
| Zamak (silver-plated) | LARP | Hair and beard beads with a silver or brass finish |
| Zamak (brass-plated) | LARP | More affordable alternative with a warm golden tone |
| Leather (natural brown) | Historical | Headbands and tiaras, robust and dimensionally stable |
| Leather (hand-dyed) | Historical | Antique-look variants in brown, green, reddish-brown |
Bronze is the classic material for historically inspired beard beads and hair beads — it is durable, develops a beautiful patina over time and corresponds to the archaeological evidence of many medieval finds. Zamak, a zinc alloy, offers a more affordable alternative: coated in silver or brass, it is well suited for LARP costumes and the occasional visit to a market. Leather headbands and leather tiaras from the range are made from sturdy cowhide — some pieces are hand-dyed, giving them a distinctive antique look. For care: store leather jewellery in a dry place and treat it occasionally with a suitable leather conditioner to keep the material supple.
Beard beads: history, function and modern use
Beard beads have a long history, stretching from the Viking Age through Celtic culture to the Renaissance. Archaeological finds show that Norse warriors wove beads into their beards and hair — often featuring symbolic motifs: The Walknut as a sign of connection to Odin, the father of the gods; intertwined knot patterns as a symbol of infinity and strength; animal heads as a sign of connection to nature or to the wearer’s totem animal. Celtic braiding patterns were found on beard jewellery as well as on weapons and ornaments.
In addition to their aesthetic value, beard beads also served a practical purpose: woven-in beads lend structure to the beard through their weight, prevent matting and keep individual strands in shape. Anyone who wears a longer beard is familiar with the problem of loose, stray strands — a well-positioned bead provides a quick remedy here. Today, Viking beard beads and hair accessories are not only hugely popular with LARP players and visitors to medieval markets, but also as everyday accessories for bearded men with a flair for Nordic style.
Hair accessories for medieval markets, LARP and re-enactment
For a Viking outfit, we recommend beard beads and hair beads featuring bronze motifs such as walnut, runes or animal heads. For a Celtic outfit, hair beads with braided patterns and simple leather headbands are an excellent choice. For a High Medieval ladies’ costume, leather tiaras and silver-plated hair spirals are the first choice — they complement a medieval ladies’ outfit without being over the top. Renaissance outfits go well with finer beard beads and more elaborate hair clips.
Hair accessories look best when paired with matching accessories. A medieval brooch on the cloak, a medieval necklace around the neck and a matching belt combine to create a harmonious overall outfit. Make sure the metals harmonise: bronze hair beads go well with bronze-coloured brooches and buckles, whilst silver-plated hair spirals complement silver-coloured pendants.
The leather headband is the simplest way to get started with medieval hair accessories: it goes with almost any outfit, sits securely and can be put on in seconds. For those with beards, one or two beard beads in bronze or zamak offer the quickest upgrade for an existing Viking or Celtic outfit — with minimal effort but a noticeable effect.
In LARP, comfort is paramount: hair accessories should stay securely in place even during movement and combat sequences. Leather headbands with buckle fastenings can be individually adjusted, whilst hair spirals wrap flexibly around individual strands. Those wishing to fully enhance their LARP outfit will find a versatile combination in the interplay of headband, beads and matching medieval earrings.
An overview of hair accessory types: from hair spirals to tiaras
Leather headbands & tiaras
The leather headband is the most versatile hair accessory in the range — available in brown, green and reddish-brown, it sits securely and goes with almost any costume. The leather tiara variants offer a more decorative look thanks to their shaped upper edge, which is also suitable for female characters in the High Middle Ages or for fantasy costumes.
Hair spirals & curl beads
Silver-plated hair spirals can be wrapped around individual strands or curls, offering maximum flexibility. They require no tools, hold securely and are easy to remove. Ideal for ladies’ hairstyles in medieval and Renaissance styles, as well as for LARP elf or fairy outfits.
Beard beads & hair beads
Beard and hair beads made of bronze or zamak form the historical core of our range. Celtic braided patterns, Viking animal head motifs and knot designs make every bead a unique piece with real character. Whether in the beard, in the hair or as a curl bead — these pieces are quick to put in and make an instant impact.
Whether you want to complete your Viking costume with a beard bead, enhance your LARP outfit with a leather headband, or simply look for historically inspired hair accessories for everyday wear — browse through our range and find the perfect piece for your style.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the Middle Ages, hairpins, clips, ribbons and wreaths were common among women, whilst men mainly wore beard beads and hair beads. Brooches, rings, necklaces and bracelets complemented the body jewellery. The materials used — gold, silver, bronze, bone or glass — revealed the wearer’s social status.
Women usually wore their hair long, braided or pinned up. Married women covered it with a veil, a bonnet or a headdress. Among the Vikings and Celts, both hair and beard ornaments had an important cultural function as symbols of identity and status. Depending on the era, men wore their hair shoulder-length or shorter.
Hair ornament is a collective term for all accessories worn in or on the hair: hairpins, hair clips, hair bands, hair spirals, diadems, tiaras, hair beads and curl beads. In a medieval context, the term ‘headwear’ is also used to refer to headbands or wreaths. Beard beads are a specific type of hair accessory for the beard.
Married women often covered their hair with a veil, a linen bonnet or the so-called ‘Gebende’ — a headband with side flaps. In higher society, ornate bonnets and wreaths made of flowers or metal were common. In the Middle Ages, wearing one’s hair loose was reserved for unmarried young women.
Historical beard beads were made from metals such as gold, silver and bronze, as well as glass, bone, clay and wood. In today’s range, bronze (durable, capable of developing a patina, historically authentic) and zamak (a zinc alloy, coated in silver or brass) dominate. Bronze beard beads develop a natural patina over time, which gives them a particularly authentic character.