How To Wear a Medieval Cloak 

I’ve never felt more dejected than when I realized I was one of “the cloakless of the world”

My inner linguist definitely understands the joy linked to being able to say "I've read the original, and a few different translations to boot, so how hard do you want me to school you?" :D

Cloaks and hoods need to be reintroduced into modern streetwear. It's so comfy and useful

"Miss the ferry and have to sleep in your Viking Car" . . . I bet this has *never, ever* happened to you. Not once.

I've been saying we should bring back cloaks for years, I'm so glad everyone here seems to agree haha. I think one of my favorite advantages is that they're so damned easy to clean, whereas a coat is a whole ordeal. Fantastic work, as always

How to wear a cloak: 1-put it over your shoulders 2-pin it 3-enjoy how amazing you look

Even as small children, we wrap towels and blankets around ourselves to simulate princess dresses, togas, and super hero capes. Clearly, this is part of our DNA. #bringbackcloaks

Penannular brooches, the safely pin or the ancient world! You are always a treat!

So, I'm voting blanket cloaks for post-pandemic fashion. We should all be cosy and comfortable under our fabric defenses. Definitely want to swoop about my flat in a cloak today given it snowed this morning, the cheek of the weather to snow in April!

Here's been my day: Came across someone mentioning your channel on tumblr. Heard you mention tablet-woven trim in this video. Thought 'what's that? sounds neat'. Spent 7 hours figuring out tablet weaving and setting up a diy loom while watching through a third of your video catalog. Now I'm learning how to tablet weave! Doubt I'll live up to the legendary Barbara on the first try, but who knows?

I spent this past winter just wearing shawls. I wore my modern winter coat just once to dig my car out of the snow. I was so much warmer layering up and pinning some wool shawls over a couple layers of cardigans

So, to summarize: Step 1: Do the Cloakey-Fokey. Step 2: Turn yourself around. And that, good sir, is what it is all about.

I agree. Cloaks and capes should come back. I'm nearing the end of the American Duchess cape and I can't wait to rock it.

I miss my wool cloak. I only had for a few months when I let a young lady who wasn't feeling well borrow it at an event. The next day she ended up having to leave the event and to go to the hospital and I never saw her, or my cloak again.

The sheer number of woolen bed sheets that are worn as cloaks with the broaches holding them up that I see at events here in the Pacific Northwest of the USA is amazing. Such useful things! And like, $3 at the thrift shop! Cloaks are easy!

charity shops are never to be missed! So often have found legitimate wool blankets discarded into the charity system. You can also look online for used military blankets, wool and cheaper than new, and for most people-we weren't the rich folk, so tears and such lead to a certain level of verisimilitude.

Definetly a member of the bring back cloaks brigade, they’re just better, try swishing a raincoat with elf-like grace, can’t be done.

My dad just dropped off a green wool blanket (marked in sharpie on one side USMC) sooooo now I think I know what I'm gunna do with that! Right after I give it a gentle cleaning. I'm not sure where he found it, but it has a stench and it a bit gritty. I need to make/get me a brooch

Thank you so much for this! Having never seen one of those brooches in person, and having the spatial sense of a bag of bricks, I could never figure out how they worked. Now that I see the pin moves around the ring, they make complete sense. Also, thanks for choosing such a great charity to run for. Donation is on the way!

Oh my!! Just the thumbnail had me laughing so hard! 😆 Always top notch! ✨👌🏻✨

Every adventurer should have a cloak (even if the only quest you go on is to find apples at the local grocery). Thanks for the tips and best of luck with your new fundraising goal. It was going like gangbusters already today. Take care.

I never even knew that penannular brooches were a THING, that's so cool! Such a simple concept and construction too, for such FUNCTION.

*CLOAKS ARE AMAZING* I bought a "Loden Cloak" at a second-hand shop for a laugh. Just to mess about in. IT IS MY GO TO OUTERWEAR..!!! I now have three. They are super warm, super quick to put on, waterproof, quiet, comfortable - there is a reason they were popular for 1000 years.

Research suggestion: The connection between the Viking cloak and the Security blanket. (I don't know what a security blanket is called in the UK. It is a blanket which a child requires in order to feel secure/sleep. I have known college students who had their childhood security blankets incorporated into quilts to make it possible to keep the 'blankie' and not take guff from peers.)

American fact (since you used miles) - Runs are one of those rare thing where it is common in the states to use kilometers. (Specifically 5k and 10k runs being common)

I am cloakless.... but not for long *eyes pile of green fabric in the corner* Another great video and I wish you and your ankles all the best on your charity dodah ;)

You forgot the very important step with a square cloak! When you stop what you are doing and pretend to be a superhero for a couple of seconds. Or, is that just me? Well, you should, because you, good sir, is a real hero to support Stonewall. 💗🧡💛💚💙💜

Way to support Stonewall! Excellent work and lots of luck to you! Also I really appreciate the broach tutorial.

i make little sterling silver penannular brooches just like your little one (its pretty much THE basic functional shape) for use as shawl pins. for that, they have blunt pins....for fabric the pin needs to be sharpened more. I will NEVER cease to wonder at the ingenious, simple yet sophisticated design of penannular brooches.....so simple at face value, so bloody clever!

I am on the bring cloaks back train. Any piece of clothing that can double as a blanket is good on my book. :)

i've always wanted to skip through the woods like a little elf!

I love how you made cloak wearing simple and straightforward. I always thought it was much more complicated. Thank you!!!!!

Another way to create a hood in your cloak for later is to layer the fabric like shown, but layering it to the outside (if that makes sense). The extra flap then becomes your hood.

Jimmie have you ever had problems with the brooch ripping or damaging the fabric? It seems like a 6x6 piece of wool fabric would be fairly heavy. I imagine a slightly felted fabric would resist damage from the pins better. Also, tarnished metals will wipe off on the fabric. Do you know which type of metals would be less likely to do so? (maybe it’s best to pick a dark fabric!) 😃

@06:55 we call it a 5K here in the states too. It is one of the few dirty metric measurements we commonly know.

Yes, a multi purpose garment tutorial!!!

I love my dragon-head pin from Hedeby, though a cloak of any sort is a challenge when you have to use crutches as I do (cue me parking myself by the fire for the entirety of an event). I always heard that the “bedroll” cloak is an interpretation based on various types of pin being found in graves round about the hip, unfortunately I don’t have a source, it was frowned upon by my group so I just never did it. A coat seems more likely though.

I love seeing bits of Edinburgh in these videos. I have family there and go quite often, but obviously the pandemic's put a stop to that. Such a beautiful city, and the Hermitage of Braid is such a lovely little spot. My girlfriend used to go to illegal raves at the quarry there years ago.

Pile weaving sounds like thrumming. A knitting technique where you weave in roving as you knit. Can also be done with nahlbinding I am pretty sure. Thank you for another lovely video.

If I lived in a climate that called for a cloak, I would 100% wear one! Yours is a great color and really does look comfy!

But....you can't have a viking car, it has a horn!

Another reason to learn more weaving! Seems like a great use of spring shearing Icelandic wool - the tog seems tailor made for pile weaving.

You know...I didn't know I needed this video. But this was 100% the highlight of my day. Thank you for making it! I have what I refer to as a "blanket cape" that is really a rectangular cloak and it is my FAVORITE

Helloo, I just wanted to say thanks for all the info/content!

Cloaks are vastly superior to coats. Let's bring em back into fashion!

I truly enjoy it when you do these videos! It's one thing to see pictures but to actually see the garments worn in real life is very cool! I can appreciate the work that goes into making these videos. Thank you so much.

Random Cloak Day! Yay! But...perhaps the bedroll look was the medieval version of wearing your jacket tied around your waist by the sleeves? *grin*

I wonder if pinning the cloak on the shoulder is a comfort thing. Having worn more modern (mid-19th Century style) cloaks with a centre front fastening, they have a habit of pulling back and trying to choke you, just with the weight of fabric, that wouldn't really be an issue with a shoulder pin.

Yooo what is the chance?! I’m doing embroidery on my first ever cloak! (I’m gonna show you Jim on Instagram :) ) and I have been wondering how to wear the perfect wayyy! Thank you ! You really can read my mind! Splendid video idea!

your content owns. I have adhd and the way that you format/edit your videos makes it really easy for me to focus on, whereas most history content can be long and boring. Thank you for making it more accessible!

‘Careful, you have bad ankles!’😂 I can relate! And cloaks definitely need to come back into fashion. I have a green wool one that I made as one of my first attempts at sewing and it is sooo warm and cosy! Seriously, depression has been kicking my ass lately and binge-watching your videos has really helped. Thank you so much Jimmy. Love the channel!

The cloak looks lovely! I too want one. Edit: love the wear and tear on the nail polish! Mine looks like that more often than it looks neat

Must admit, I do love a woolen shawl for many of the cloaky positives here!

Love cloaks. I don’t have a medieval one. I made one from a vampire Halloween costume pattern and lined it in wool. Love it. I added pockets on the inside because even a cloak should have pockets. 😁

Excellent video! I have two modern cloaks and intend to make more. Clearly I need to add a green wool one. ^_^ Could you also eventually show us how to use one of those closed round pins? Annular or whatever? They thoroughly baffle me, especially the ones with the supremely long needles.

Cloaks need to make a return!

Cloakless guy here wants to help being it back! Thank you for that knowledge, I really appreciate it!

I have a really large half circle cloak that I tend to just throw over one shoulder, but then I do 15/16th C stuff. I love that it doubles as a blanket! Between mine and my husbands it gives us two extra blankets on the bed when we are camping at reenactment events. As much as I love my cloak it isn't so great when trying to keep warm and do tings that you need your hands out for though, so I think that is why they slowly become coats and jackets over time.

#bringbackthecloak! And I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the representation! Too many Coastubers have perfect nails. Thank you for representing our chipped nail friends 🥰💅

I just recently got a nice rectangular wool cloak and iron fibula as an early birthday present, searched for how to actually wear the thing, and your video was the top result. Thanks for helping keep historical clothing practices alive for those of us starting out.

'BRING CLOAKS BACK!" I live in Texas, not likely, lol. Great video, love the almost conversation like feel. Good job, and thank you.

Looking forward to running with you 😀 I wear my cloak in a different way though as it really is blanket sized, it's hard to explain in words but I pin the bottom corners back up to the shoulder point and it gives me multiple ways to wear it without unpining, the folk I have shown it to have really liked it, it gives me the opportunity to have big pockets hold heat in and stuff as well as giving me all the ruffled folds you see in artwork.

You know, I've been viewing making a cloak as this annoying process when it comes to sewing but you've made me realize that I could just literally use a square of cloth. It's so much simpler and you look so comfortable. I'll probably take a leaf out of your book and get some wool and a pin.

Wow! Your garb is AMAZING, I love it, & it was so cool to see you wearing it! :) I was really struck by the effect of it being wool- I get what you meant about it hanging properly, it just kinda looks right. And ofc, what you WOULD wear in Vikingy weather... not a leather vest ;) Also, I thought leaving my penannular brooch in my cloak forever was terrible laziness, & I DIED laughing when you said you do it :D (You'd cry in horror at most of my old SCA garb, lol, but I do have a proper woolen cloak & brooch)

And If you happen to be a person wearing a Hängerock with a pair of nice big broaches, you got at least one great extra way of wearing your cloak: if it is rectangular, fold the shorter side at 50ish cm from the top, wrap the fold line around your shoulders, fasten the left end of the foldline in your right broach and the right end of your cloak in your left broach. You will instantly look like one of the valykrie-figurines, your neck is warm and cozy, you have your shoulders and back covered and your hans free. And the bit you folded over can be folded up again as a hood. I really love that look

I think I have 7 cloaks might be more hanging around the house.

I listen to your videos while I work at the computer, interesting historical stuff, thanks!

Managed to get through the last 10 years of SCA without a cloak or hood, got one I lockdown so thanks for this so I don't look like a fool flailing under a blanket when we get back out XD

I am an Ancient Roman reenactor (a civilian): despite the slightly different shapes in the cloaks (ok, not so slightly... but the rectangular cloak is the same and we too used Penannular brooches) I can confirm to you that the cloak is one of the most wonderful and comfortable wearing among those that - unfortunally - aren't used anymore. I personally tested during a lot of days of heavy rain and cold and the biggest test has been one day I had to reenact the foundation of a city for a documentary. There were -6°C, I was with bare legs, wearing only one tunic (And we had to pretend it was Spring) and 98% of humidity. All of us survived pretty well. Cloak works freaking well! And, said in latin... Sagum retrorsum fer!

Penannular brooches. As an Anglo-Norman re-enactor, I'm jealous (by the mid-to-late c12th, they've pretty much been ousted by annular brooches, which are objectively worse). Doesn't stop me from owning and using several penannulars for everyday wear (I need several- I'm currently assembling my 6th cloak, this time one lined in linen), I just have to use an annular at shows.

The "bed roll" reminds me of baby slings. You tie a knot or pin the fabric on to the shoulder and put the baby in the fabric on your hip. Do you have any sources of how people carried their children in the viking age or medieval times? I know that many cultures carry on their back or hip in some kind of fabric. Would love to see a video about that.

I have a hand woven clock on it's way to Australia from Russia. I am tracking it and it's currently in the United Arab Emirates lol.

We did fundraiser walks in our full plate armour, took us an hour. Good luck on yours!

What happened to your dark orange cloak? This green is lovely, especially in this setting, and your elf dance gave me the laugh I needed this morning.

🖤🤎❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 Thank you !

Aw this reminds me of when my nieces and nephews were little I would take my scarf and make little cloaks for them and use a Bobby pin to hold it. They were so cute 🥲 It looks like I sort of had the right idea with the styling and pinning! Your editing is so funny btw, it speaks to my ADHD 😂

Thank you. You're charming. I found this video while researching historically accurate fasteners for the cape I just bought. Yes, I'm helping to bring capes back. 😃

Thank you for this. It was fun, funny, and the scenery was lovely.

😬 the cloakless Crap I need to make a new cloak 😂

A few years ago Boden tried to bring back the cloak... I have a couple (long rectangle with a slit up one short side to the middle, made of good wool). Yes they look like you’re wearing a picnic blanket! But so warm and comfy, best things ever for long-haul flying. My cats also love them. P.S. I do almost no long-haul flying... this was a work trip to Houston in January several years ago. PPS yes I wore my cloak today, as Edinburgh tried to snow. In April.

I love that you're doing the charity march! How can you be so cool???

Always enjoy your vlogs Thank you.

As I was taught it as far as the Romans were concerned a cloak being pinned at the right shoulder, as opposed to being pinned at the centre was *specifically* a sign that you were a soldier (Or a former soldier). I have suspicions it had something to do with the gladius being worn on the right, as it keeps your right hand free, though I vaguely recall its something they allegedly picked up from the celts. Fast forward to medieval period and my research (ten minutes on google images :P ) shows it 50/50 whether the cloak seems to be pinned at the shoulder or pinned at the centre, the way a lot of people today seem to think of cloaks. The advantage of pinning in the centre I assume is symmetry and having both hands equally free, pining at the side can (depending on cloak size) leave your left arm completely covered. But its warmer at the front (and in general traps heat better), your right arm is *more* free (or you can tuck it under), and its more comfortable at the neck and wont pull at your throat. These pictures shows both: www.facsimilefinder.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Bayeux_Tapestry_scene23_Harold_oath_William-1-e1500365664692.jpg www.angelfire.com/rnb/bayeux_tapestry/c1BT7.jpg As far as I'm aware post roman there isn't any significance to which way you wear it

Now I have to add a cloak to my list!! So very many things to make and so little time!

as a cloakless who is trying to make accurate clothing on characters I am designing, I appreciate this, thank you!!!

I keep coming back to watch your videos- also that run for charity in chain mail is on the same day as my birthday! Keep up the lovey work! You’ve helped me get more into sewing historical garments!

When I wear my cloak I tend to make an inward fold at the top about a foot long. I then pin it to one side. If it rains or gets cold I pull out the middle of this fold to make a hood. It works well and stays quite secure. I love my cloaks and agree everyone should have one!

I made a full circle cloak with a hood years ago, outer layer pure wool, lining with (modern, soft, comfy) fleece, as my skin gets irritated too fast by wool. I know the lining is not period at all, but I don't care as I don't claim it's authentic. I have worn it many winters as a regular cloak, it kept me warm and dry. Just pulled it out of the closet a few weeks ago for a steampunk festival, as it even fits in that "time" and, more important, over my (somewhat) victorian (inspired) dress with its huge skirt.

how handy i was thinking about making my own cloak today thank you

I can't believe you're at 17k already!! I remember when you had 300!!! Doing great, Jimmy!

This was actually very helpful. I'm often using my thick wool blanket as a cloak but I couldn't figure out a way of pinning it without a brooch digging into my throat. Now I know why - like a dumbass I insisted on clasping it symmetrically in the middle of my chest instead of on the side. In addition I'm happy to see that one can make rectangular cloak work and I don't have to invest in semi-circular one. I mean, it looks nice and all but it's much less practical, at least for lowly footman in knight's retinue.

Great video. Ive been seeing cloak ads come up a lot recently. The prices are a bit out there for the material. Watching this makes me realize its much simpler to have a cloak and not necessary to spend a lot on one.

The Treasury has really good reproduction metal bits. I have a few of their pennanular brooches. But now I want a cloak. Did women wear them the same ways?

It’s so right…Yesterday I was driving trough the city, and dude was walking down a street with awesome black cloak with metal chain to hold, it was made from some wool like fabric, I I was genuinely…😮pls let the times come back!😢…like cloaks and capes are so fashionable and useful clothing! It keeps you from weather, warm and dry…it was made to do that! It’s so easy to make and wear! We should start wearing it again! Bring forth the agenda!❤😤

Impossible to find any wool blankets in charity shops here, but just received an order of wool cloth. Cannot afford vaðmál at nearly $200CDN per meter plus shipping and duty so it's a little compromise, but still natural color medium weight wool for my Greenland finds inspired outfit. The pic of the hair cloth cloak is fabulous! It reminds me of thrummed mittens, but with thrumms on the outside. That cloak is my ultimate wish...

Oh. It's a medieval safety pin. I like it.

Totally needed the brooch 101 part of the video 😆 thanks !

I have several penannular brooches, my son calls them, "medieval safety pins"

The bedroll style cloak looks a lot to me like how people tie jackets around their necks or waists when it gets too hot to wear them normally. That's just a wild guess though

My heavens man! Do you know how truly funny you are? I'm thinking that you could write a comedy titled, The Vivacious Viking ... oh wait, you already do that on RU-vid. Nevermind. *)